Howdy,
I installed a new oil pump on my Raider (2.4 L) a year ago. Twice since then the oil pump apparently lost prime on me while I was way back in the mountains off road. I'd shut the engine down for whatever reason, to fish etc. Then back to the vehicle... when I fired it up...ZERO oil pressure. Not good because I was WAY the heck back in the mountains on a REALLY rough jeep trail.

The first time this happened I began to start and stop the motor in quick bursts. It took like 20 cycles before she built oil pressure. I don't know if this was a smart fix, a total fluke, or God Saving me from a REALLY long walk out in the dark in bear country. But it worked.

Many months later I found myself in the same exact minor emergency again. This time the Raider was parked slightly down hill. I Fired it up to head home and yep...ZERO oil pressure so I immediately shut it down. I pulled the stick and she was 3/4 of a quart low. Which gave me an idea.
I had my chain saw & bar oil with me. I theorized that if i poured some bar oil into the top of the motor, some of it would flow to the front of the head, down the front of the motor to the top of the oil pump and perhaps...reprime the pump. I tried it and it worked. She started up and immediately built oil pressure.
Again I have no Idea if this was a savvy fix, a fluke, or God bailing me out.

Now it has happened again. And I have tried both these former shenanigans and they have not worked. out of desperation I drained all the oil out of the motor.
I then got the biggest funnel that would fit in the filler neck and dumped all the oil in the valve cover fast as I could, ran to the ignition and fired her up, again theorizing some of the oil flooding the top of the head would run off down the front of the motor and onto the oil pump. It didn't work. Zero oil pressure.


So are there any tips tricks or techniques to get the oil pump reprised...or am I simply going to have to tear into the front of the motor to get to the oil pump??

Much thanks in advance.
TM

Help? Anyone?

Maybe it's the gauge? I had a 2.6 do a similar thing and I switched to a mechanical gauge, everything was fine after that.

It can't just be the gauge. She starts up and runs fine, but hammers like a diesel.

I thought the oil gauge was a good suggestion - guess not. Why did you replace the oil pump?

I have never heard of pump losing prime, unless low on oil. I have worked on oil pumps (not Montero) replacing gears/seals, just pre-grease them and start the engine, the vacuum created on start pulls (actually air pressure pushes it) oil into the pump. After shut down the oil should leak back to pan - so re-prime every time. I think prime would apply if check valve in intake tube.

Is it possible a seal has gone?