Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Oil priming

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    31
    My Cars
    '95 840Ci, '06 730d

    Oil priming

    Hi guys just a quick one, I’m helping a friend change the oil on his ‘99 840ci. The oil was drained a week ago but owing to the sump bolt stripping upon reinstallation, it’s sat empty of oil for all that time while a new bolt was sourced.

    When we fit the new bolt and refill with oil, I’m worried about the lack of oil on the internal components. Is there a trick to cranking the engine over to build oil pressure to the correct level before starting? I was thinking of disconnecting all the coil packs - is there a better way?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Victoria, BC, Canada
    Posts
    158
    My Cars
    91 850i

    Oil priming

    When I finished my rebuild I just pulled the fuel relays and pulled the spark plugs. Then you can just turn it over with the key. Without the spark plugs in you won’t have much, if any, load on internals so you can use the starter for 30 sec or so to build oil pressure


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by DeltaSix; 08-10-2018 at 03:44 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Montgomery, AL
    Posts
    212
    My Cars
    '92 850i 6-speed (SOLD)
    What's the difference between your situation and someone starting their car after winter hibernation or a dealer starting a car that spent an extended period of time on their showroom floor without being started? In all these situations the oil is pooled in the pan and there should still be a thin layer of oil on the internals as long as the oil's viscosity was good.

    This is an interesting topic but is it really necessary? If so, is there some universally accepted rule of thumb out there saying if you don't start your car within a certain amount of time, you need to prime it?
    Last edited by Sniff38; 08-12-2018 at 07:05 PM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Hampshire UK
    Posts
    8,872
    My Cars
    99 840ci Sport Indv
    It's only been a week or so drained of oil, the only difference between just not using the car for a week and your situation is that the oil filter canister is empty - but that's usual on any oil change. So, don't worry in the slightest - fill it up with oil and off you go!
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


    My BMW Repair YouTube Channel
    My Current 840ci Sport Individual
    My Current 650ci Sport Individual
    My E31 Repair and Information Website
    My E38 Repair and Information Website
    My E63/E64 Repair and Information Website

    Chase - Heroes to a generation

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    31
    My Cars
    '95 840Ci, '06 730d
    Update

    So the new sump plug threaded straight in and tightened nicely (phew!!)

    Refilled the oil and changed the fuel filter. Doing this depressurised the fuel line. I took out the fuel pump fuse too so there was no chance of the engine firing.

    Once it was all back together I held my breath and turned the key. It took about 15 seconds of cranking on the starter for the oil pressure light to go out. After this, the fuel pump fuse was put back in, cranked it again and it fired up and sounded great.

    I suppose the main reason I posted this question is because out of all the times I’ve changed the oil on a vehicle, I’ve never been in a situation where the car has been left empty for a week with the sump plug out. That, and the car - one of the last 8s ever built -isn’t mine!


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Similar Threads

  1. Rebuilt engine oil priming
    By gdavid in forum Forced Induction
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 03-19-2018, 11:43 AM
  2. Oil priming procedure?
    By protomor in forum Forced Induction
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 02-22-2012, 01:07 AM
  3. Need to be primed a new oil pump?
    By josemg in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 02-27-2009, 08:39 PM
  4. oil prime help
    By kanutten in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-10-2008, 03:28 AM
  5. Priming Oil Pump
    By rsvp9146 in forum 1983 - 1991 (E30)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-30-2004, 02:37 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •