And the story goes,

I wanted to have the engine running for the Easter bank holiday (That would be last years) so decided I was going to have it running this next weekend.

Wired up the starter ect, taken the plugs out ect ect. I keep turning it over in about 10 second bursts BUT I can’t get any oil pressure. Non, Zip Bugger all It’s not even filling the filter.

I can’t find any thing out of place so suggestions please before I pull it to bits and have to spend money on gaskets and bolts

Have you modded the sump?? Or is it stock still.

I'm almost at this stage exact stage with my Zetec and you've got me all worried now!

Cheers

As said. Prime the pump by removing the filter and squirting oil down the gallery and then fill the filter before refitting.

If you have modified the sump them did you refit the pickup pipe with a new gasket and are you sure the welds were complete with no holes.

And the obvious one, don't laugh I have seen it done, have you put the oil in.

Rebuilt the engine from scratch 18 months ago and used all new bits ect. The sump is a Scholar engines cut shut and baffled job. Primed it all back then but it will have all run out by now.

relief valve stuck open / missing

just a thought

When I first started my XE I couldn't get any oil pressure on cranking. So I made sure there was a good coating of oil on the cam shafts and put a little down the bores for good measure. As soon as it fired I got pressure.

Is it normal to see oil pressure on a zetec on cranking on a freshly built engine?

Try firing it up before you pull it apart. It might need a little extra kick to get the pressure up. Rather than just turning it over.

As said oil the cams and a bit down thr=e bores before you fire it.

Had the same problem with my Zetec when it was rebuilt. I took the pressure relief valve out and refitted it to get it to reseat and it was then fine. Happened again after about 3 weeks of not running it - took the valve out and refitted it - hey presto. Never a problem after that!

Wyn

Ok spent all afternoon pulling the lot out of the chassis. Stripped all the bits of and put it on the engine stand. Pulled the sump of and checked the pump is keyed to the crank. Pulled the relief valve out and cleaned it.

I have most of it put back together. I wondered If I had been a bit quick to take it to bits and should have fired it and seen but its done now.....

Still want it running next week end...