Van, yes the balance shafts are there and properly timed, thankfully. I'm so hoping that it's not a cracked tube. Only because of the pain that. Would involve. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

My guess would be a cracked tube as well. This happens from the lower bs being out of alignment at some point. Resulting vibrations can crack the oil pickup. I have seen scenarios where the lower front bs pulley housing actually formed a hairline crack from vibrations.

 

I'd be inclined to think that too , but no vibration. Motor is smooth as silk

 

How was the "O" ring at the end of the OPRV ?
Was it still there when you pulled the valve out,it's possible that it came off if the housing was not aligned properly ... just a wild guess, as that would definitely affect your oil pressure !

Cheers
Phil

 

This car has the 3 piece Oprv I however do not see an o-ring?

 

3-piece OPRV does not have an o-ring. Just the plunger, spring and cap. It might be worth it to take the OPRV out and crank the engine over so see if oil squirts out of the hole... might be less messy than taking the oil filter off to do that test?

 

Yes, I have had "no oil pressure/idiot light on" in my car for months now, out of shear laziness because I have a new sender on my shelves. My bad sender causes the gauge to always read ~2.5 bar too low, so on a cold start I see ~2.5-2.75 bar and once warmed up, the idiot light usually comes on for less than 1 bar pressure.

 

Well timing belt off, pulleys off. More oil leaking from the upper balance shaft than the crank. Nothing leaking around perimeter of oil pump.

 

I don't think you can take the pump off with the pan in place? There are two 10 mm bolts through the pan to the pump. Plus if memory and diagrams serve. The gasket for the pan goes into a groove in the bottom of the pump.

 

That is correct. The oil pan has to come off to take the pump off.

 

Thanks van not the confirmation I was hoping for

 

Oil pump drive sleeve has two distinct grooves where the front seal would ride. The one more to the interior feels like the might be some wear. Could it be enough to allow the pump to cavitate

 

I can't upload pics I'll try posting to the rennlist Facebook page

 

The grooves are worn in by the front main seal... that's normal wear, and means the sleeve should be replaced when you change the seal. If there are 2 grooves in it, it means the sleeve was NOT changed the last time the seal was changed!

Those grooves won't effect how the oil pump works. I could make a video on the internal parts, if you want... but it's a positive displacement gear pump.

 

Van thanks again for the quick reply. I wonder could the groove cause enough air to get in to the pump to cause priming/pressure problems.