Gen 4 3SGTE - No Oil Pressure

[GlanzaAtHeart]

Hey team,

Got a bit of a weird one I can't figure out, any advice?

I've recently had my head refurbished, and while that was out I resealed both the upper and lower sumps.
However now, when everything is back together, there is no oil pressure.

I had the cambelt off, but did not touch the oil pump, and it had pressure and was running perfect before.

I have dropped the lower sump, realised that I bolted the pickup on top of the windage tray (supposed to be the other way around) - And remedied this, with the motor in the car. I then tried to 'burp' the oil pump by filling oil down the oil cooler banjo with a funnel. No dice unfortunately.

How do I know I've got no oil pressure? The filter is bone dry (I did also pre fill it second time round to try help), I have an external oil pressure gauge with the sensor in the machining ports next to the filter, and it reads 0. Stock oil pressure light also never goes away.

 
What I've done:

- Car fires and runs. (Ran for about ~40 seconds before I realised there was no pressure)
- Removed turbo oil feed line, and nothing comes out when cranking
- Checked oil pickup and seems okay (Not blocked, no obvious cracks)


What can I do now without removing my entire motor again? Can I do anything with the oil relief valve?

Cheers

[Benckj]

Problem does sound like its relief valve related. Possibly stuck with some debris or from being dry over the time you rebuilt head, etc. GDII would be a good person to contact regarding the valve access. I seem to think on the gen 3 there is a way to access without removal of pump. Might also be able to blow some air through on backside to test or dislodge debris.??

For reference I'll attach a pic of my pump when I had my engine removed several years ago. Believe the rief valve is the buldge in housing on RHS of crank shaft where "Toyota" marking is. Worst case if you prove its oil pump/valve related is that you have to remove the pumps which can be done with engine in the car. Not a nice job but better than dropping motor.

[GDII]

That's possible Jim.

That bulge you point out is where the GEN2 oil pump internal relief valve is. On the GEN3-5 it is on the side of the sump so far easier to get at as its an external part.

When I assembled my valve it was cleaned and filled with assembly lube.

[GDII]

Turns out undoing the oil filter and cranking the engine got the airlock out and things are working properly now.

[Benckj]

That’s an easy fix then. Glad you were able to help and get it sorted.

[GDII]

That’s an easy fix then. Glad you were able to help and get it sorted.

It was actually Eric Hux from Hux Racing that raised that solution. I guess I was just posting the solution to close out the thread.

[GlanzaAtHeart]

Thanks everyone for the replies - Yeah it ended up being a massive air pocket I couldn't bleed.

Eric Hux mentioned to try starting it with the oil filter loose. So I cranked it a few times and I saw my oil pressure gauge (aftermarket) move a millimeter off 0. Saw heaps of oil piss out and felt good. Tightened up and cranked it and immediately had pressure.

Super weird fix, guess it's things like this of being in the industry and working on cars for decades gets you. Grateful to have such a good community.

Engine is now running but has a misfire so just gonna do some more diag, then off for a WOF.