Oil Pump Failure
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
Oil Pump Failure
Had a near disaster last week on a road trip. I drove for 5+ hours to Florida with no problems. Next morning, oil all over the floor coming from the engine. Called a buddy and we trailered to car back home and began looking. Oil pan gasket blown out in several places. Appears extremely high oil pressure was the issue. Removed the oil pump and surmised that the pressure relief valve must be frozen/jammed. I Removed the piston/bushing and found scuff and unusual wear marks, etc indicating extremely tight fit and limited action. I have had unusual oil pressure problems for some time (new pump installed 5 years ago) and now I know why. Replaced pump and gaskets and all is well. I've never heard of this type of problem. There is always something...
But I still love my car!
But I still love my car!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,731
Likes: 2,582
i fail to see how high oil pressure is going to blow an oil pan gasket? The oil pan is normally vented to atmosphere and oil only splashes around inside the pan, there is no oil pressure against a pan gasket.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
The rear seal or the cam plug on the back of the block will leak but not the pan gasket. You would have to have that engine sealed up tight with no breathers to get the pan gasket to push out.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Agree that your engine sump would have to be 'sealed' for the gasket to blow out during normal running. If you have no PCV system or breather on a valve cover, or if the PCV valve was locked-up in the closed position it might cause the blow-out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 498
From: NJ
Relief valve failure usually results in ballooning the oil filter, oil filter gasket leaks or excessive blowby . Oil pan gasket failure usually has something to do with the Positive crankcase ventilation system pressures.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
When I removed the oil pan the gasket appeared to be disintegrating between several of the bolt holes, one area where the gasket was blown out. I have had minor leaks from the pan but nothing as bad as this. I use the Felpro one-piece gasket with steel grommets and never use sealant (except for the corners). I talked to the Summit folks to see if there was an issue with Felpro or a bad run of gaskets but they haven't heard of anything. I have both valve covers vented - twin pcv valves, etc. As mentioned earlier I've been experiencing oil related issues: blowby, oil mist at the valve cover breathers, and on occasion, oil mist in the bottom of the distributor.
Anyway, probably a combination of several issues but now all should be well.
Anyway, probably a combination of several issues but now all should be well.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Rockford MI
Twin PCV valves? Do you have a PCV a valve in each valve cover? If so, do you have a vent for the crank case that allows air in someplace else? A PCV valve lets crankcase vapor out of the crankcase, not in. A one way check valve. Therefore you need to allow air in to the crankcase otherwise you would have a vacuum inside of the engine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 498
From: NJ
78 Anniversary is correct. In order to vent the crankcase fumes you need to admit air into the crankcase so that the engine vacuum can pull the fumes out. In short the air out must equal the air in. Your setup is pulling air out but letting no air in.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
At idle and light throttle position the PCV valve is open and manifold vacuum draws fumes from the crankcase, when you have your foot in it the PCV valve closes and then fumes are drawn from the crankcase by the breather pipe to the air cleaner. The idea is to maintain a slight vacuum in the crankcase and burn the blow by gases instead of them going to atmosphere. At least that is how I understand the system works.
A double PCV valve system would allow pressure to build up in the crankcase when you are hoofing it, I would think that this would encourage oil leaks. JMPO. there is a lot of info on the web as to how the system works.
A double PCV valve system would allow pressure to build up in the crankcase when you are hoofing it, I would think that this would encourage oil leaks. JMPO. there is a lot of info on the web as to how the system works.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
Thanks for the info. I've removed one of the pcv valves and added a valve cover breather. Will watch for a while and look for any oil leaking indications. I did notice that the engine idle speed dropped about 200 rpms and seems to be running more evenly - no surges at idle.
Thanks again
Thanks again
