Priming oil pump before first start?

[splitting_lanes]

I got my new build all together and thought I'd crank it over with the plugs out and the fuel pump disconnected to prime the oil pump and passages.

I disconnected my oil cooler so I could see when the oil system had primed.

After six 30 second cranks, I'm still not seeing oil.

is this normal for it to take so long to prime?   does it need to be at idle speed for the pump to get enough suction?

suggestions, thanks.

[barny7655]

have you a thermostate on your cooler ? if so you might be on the wrong hose for oil to the motor when its cold,cheers Barny

[splitting_lanes]

The thermostat is open so I should get some oil out of the hose if any is making it to the filter

[Dennis The Menace]

Is the cooler downstream of the filter?   If so, the filter would need to fill before you get oil out of the hose.  If the cooler is inline before the filter, then IMO you may have a problem.  But, if the hose is on the outlet stream of the cooler, then that would mean oil needs to fill the cooler before you see it come out.  So, it depends on where in the flow you are looking.  And, it does take a little time just to get oil to come out of the pump on a fresh build, IME.

I realize you dont have a gauge, but I had oil pressure after about 45 seconds of turning over my motor on the new build.  To confirm you are okay, perhaps remove the oil filter and spin it a few times for 30 seconds.  Then you should know.

menace

[splitting_lanes]

I'm wondering if maybe that 20-50 HD oil is too thick for the pump to suck up

[splitting_lanes]

Update:  I took the oil pressure switch/sender out and used an oil can to squit a couple of ounces of oil into the pump. 

With the sender re-installed, it started squirting oil out of the cooler lines in 10 seconds.  The couple of ounces was enough to get the suction going on the pump

[Admiral Akbar]

Update:  I took the oil pressure switch/sender out and used an oil can to squit a couple of ounces of oil into the pump. 

With the sender re-installed, it started squirting oil out of the cooler lines in 10 seconds.  The couple of ounces was enough to get the suction going on the pump

So did you remember to grease the pump??  Jireh sells 1.4 kw starters cheap... Max

[FSG]

So did you remember to grease the pump??

Good call Max, I usually stuff them with assembly lube.

[Admiral Akbar]

So did you remember to grease the pump??

Good call Max, I usually stuff them with assembly lube.

I'll use Torco assy lube, molybdenum disulphide grease, ford bearing grease,  Vaseline, KY (cept it's in the house.. ) in that order... 

Max

[RevFastEddy]

It takes about 3 seconds for the oil pump to start flowing oil. Takes about 5 seconds to fill the main oil passages. Takes another 20 to 40 seconds to fill the lifter.. it might take as long as 3 minutes to fill the pushrods and the rocker shafts... So one 30 second crank is good. Since it is new you are keeping the revs down so as soon as the top end goes quiet.. you will hear the diffrence. It is done. Some bikes take a 10 minute ride to get every drop of air out of everything.

[RevFastEddy]

Max.. I noticed you mentioned KY.... If it the KY we all know and love :-)  it is water base. You could use it for manifold gaskets but I wouldnt put inside the engine... or expect it to lubricate anything metal to metal..JMHO

[PoorUB]

Max.. I noticed you mentioned KY.... If it the KY we all know and love :-)  it is water base. You could use it for manifold gaskets but I wouldnt put inside the engine... or expect it to lubricate anything metal to metal..JMHO

Well, it was his last choice!

[Admiral Akbar]

Max.. I noticed you mentioned KY.... If it the KY we all know and love :-)  it is water base. You could use it for manifold gaskets but I wouldnt put inside the engine... or expect it to lubricate anything metal to metal..JMHO

Well, it was his last choice!

Yeah,, What he said... Max

[FSG]

but first choice for other things   

[splitting_lanes]

Na, I didn't grease the pump. It wasn't a new pump and I thought it had enough oil on it to lube it, plus I used some redline assembly lube on the shaft....  But that wasn't enough. The oil can sure saved tearing tha cam plate off to pack grease into the pump


Astroglide is much nicer than KY. 

I fixed the dam fuel system leaks today and ran three heat cycles. It sounds so smooth - should be out for a test ride by tomorrow evening.

[Admiral Akbar]

The oil can sure saved tearing tha cam plate off to pack grease into the pump

And starting the bike up would have let the pump spin fast enough to pull oil out of the tank.  Then you wouldn't have had to remove the sending unit. 

Max