BD low oil pressure problem in a DJXC engine

[Jim]

Hi, list
  I'm slowly getting a BDH up and running, and noticed that it has very low oil pressure, and the rocker arms aren't getting much oil. There was a bunch of watery oil in the pan when we drained the oil out. This is a 1948 crawler. It starts and runs ok, but I don't want to do any work with it until the oil pressure problem is solved.
  I guess it's possible that the bearings are all shot, but it runs too well for that. Has good compression, too. Could be a shot oil pump or  Haven't checked the oil filter yet. Looks like if I open it up, oil will go all over the place, since it's horizontal.
  Anyway, looking for tips on typical reasons for low oil pressure.  Thanks.  Jim

[Blake Malkamaki]

These engines typically run very low oil pressure. Sometimes, when hot, the needle hardly moves off zero at idle. This is my experience and what I was told is normal. Perhaps someone else has a solution.

[Jim]

Hi. Well, the manual specifically warns against running low pressure, but then maybe actual experience is more accurate. Maybe the modern oils are so much better that they work, even at low pressure. Search me!  

Jim

[Robert Barbour]

What you have and what you see may not be the same!!  It all depends on the gauge you use!!  I have found that a lot of low cost gauges with a sweep of 30 or 40 degrees are very inaccurate at low readings, some need 10 psi before the needle starts to move. The first thing I would do is buy a good gauge with more than 180 degrees of sweep and see what it reads before take an engine appart.

[Jim]

Ah. Good point. I'll dig out a known good gauge and give it a try. Thanks. Jim

[John Schwiebert]

My old employer who was an Oliver dealer said that low oil pressure was a problem with those Hercules Diesels.  Also to make you sleep better do you know what a bearing leak detector is and have you though about making the check? Where are you located ?

[Jim]

Hi. I am located near Seattle. I have not heard of a bearing leak detector. What the heck is that?  Jim

[cletracboy]

What oil are you using? I use 15-40 and it seems better than 10-30 for oil pressure. Also re-iterate what the others have said, they do run low oil pressure when hot and when I thought I really had a problem it tourned out to be the guage.  Also, you can adjust the oil pressure on the filters, others might have an opinion on doing that though! to avoid too much mess when cleaning the filters remove the bung at the bottom of the centre housing, but it is still messy.  Also when you start it after cleaning the filters don't forget to bleed them, there is a bleed screw next to where the oil pressure guage pipe is conected. All the best, Sam

[Jim]

I wonder if it could be a setting on the oil pressure regulator, or whatever it is? The viscometer also shows no pressure, but that might be clogged gizzards in the metering block.  Jim

[Blake Malkamaki]

I wonder if it could be a setting on the oil pressure regulator, or whatever it is? The viscometer also shows no pressure, but that might be clogged gizzards in the metering block.  Jim

Jim, if you have 5 psi, that is all you need. All it needs is for the oil to be circulating and getting to places to lubricate - there are no hydraulic lifters or anything that require great pressure. As I said, these engines are known for low oil pressure, but they lasted anyway. My OC-12 has incredible hours on it, has low oil pressure, and is ok. It has been that way for years.

[Jim]

Ok. I think I will put a known good gauge on it anyway. Maybe the new modern oils are so much better that it doesn't matter as much. There is some oil oozing out on the rocker arms.  Thanks!  Jim