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MG TD TF 1500 - Oil PRessure

Anyone out there have an easy idea for priming the oil pump on an early td. This is with the engine in the car. I have pulled this thing and primed it the hard way with grease but that entails raising the block in order to get to the bolts on the pump. I have tried squirting oil down the pump thru the small bolt on the top of the pump and also removed the bango fitting on the pump and squirting oil in that but to no avail. There has got to be an easier way than to jack up the engine and pulling the pump and filling it with grease. Any help would be appreciated.
TRM Maine

Go to your local NAPA store. If it's a decent sized store they should have an oil pressure tank that you could rent. Pour your oil in the tank and the pressure it with your air compressor. Hook it into one of the fitting plugs on the pump if you can get to one and just release the oil from the tank. Others have made their own pump with a garden weed sprayer. If you can't get the oil pump you should be able to tie it in at the oil pressure line junction.

LaVerne
LaVerne

Go to K-MART and spend $6.00 for a small 1 QT garden sprayer. Unscrew the brass nozle and put a vinyl tube on it remove the solid oil line that goes from the instrument panel to the fitting that the flex line attaches to, Fill with oil and press the handle. It will presurize the complete system. It will take a little while but if you happen to have a 1 or two gallon gaarden sprayer you can pump all the oil directly into the oil gallery and even up to the valve rockers. It fills the filter and pump at the same time.
I have been using this system on various engines in my shop since 1967. Without fail they always have pressure on start up.
Sandy
conrad sanders

I removed the banjo fitting from the head and primed from there... I used a good quality 'gravy baster' and just kept pumping. I also made sure the filter had been soaked in oil and was as full as I could get it. After a bit of priming I backed off the filter bolt and heard a little 'burp' of air...then did it up again. The oil pressure came up when I turned the engine over.
gblawson(gordon)

I jacked up one side of the car and turned the rear wheel backwards (in fourth gear) as I added oil with a turkey baster to the oil line at the block. This turns the engine and the pump backwards and primes it from the galley. Once prime is reached, the suction in the pump will pull it from the sump. After a couple of tries, I had oil pressure. Personally, I just hate cleaning oil out of big containers like garden sprayers, but that's just the way I am. But I like Sandy's idea of a little sprayer (less to clean up!)

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Finally found a use for the e z e bleed brake bleeder I bought several years ago. (dont work for bleeding brakes.) Just hooked one end into the bango fitting and took a vacumn on it and wala oil. Thanks for all the advice... Tom
TRM Maine

Gee Dave... you just hand the turkey baster back to your wife and shrug your shoulders..."hmmm... i don't know what that stuff is...must be turkey grease"
gblawson(gordon)

I will bet that she said "that bas**r turky tastes just like castrol"

Just a little washing soap and a few shakes followed by a good rinse cleans it all out.
Sandy
conrad sanders

Actually, Gordon, I did it when she wasn't home and threw the turkey baster away. "What do you mean the turkey baster is missing, are you sure?"

Easier than cleaning Sandy!!!

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Dave Braun: I think if you jack up one side and turn the wheel backwards, the engine will turn frontwards. the spider gears will be turning the engine
DL Rezin

i just poured a little oil in the top plug on the pump. reinstalled the plug. left the spark plugs out and spun the motor a few turns and the oil pressure popped right up. reinstalled the plugs and away i went. regards, tom
tom peterson

DL Rezin, I did it with one drum blocked (I hadn't installed my tires and wheels yet) it turned the engine backwards. You can watch the driveshaft to make sure.

Tom Peterson, the cars after the pipe set up for the oil filter assembly (the ones with the horizontal filter canister) lacked the priming plug until 20972. Do you have a pump from an engine after 20972? If so, your method is the handiest! Also, between 20972 and 31262 (TF) it was recomended to open this plug when restarting after a long period of idleness or an oil change to relieve a possible air block. At 31236 a priming vent was added.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

This thread was discussed between 27/06/2008 and 28/06/2008

MG TD TF 1500 index

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