Lost oil pressure

I was mowing with my TO20 and it ran out of gas. It Put more in then it started running rough since I likely stirred up sediment which clogged the sediment bowl valve screen. As it was sputtering, I was not paying attention to the oil pressure which only ever got up to around 10 psi. It must have quit and in about 5 minutes I am hearing a grinding sound. I realized the pressure was zero and shut the tractor off. But what is the likely damage? I pulled the oil pan and am seeing tiny metal flakes. I have not pulled the oil pump yet. Thanks
 
First, sorry to hear your troubles. Youre on the right track, start by pulling the pump down. May just need a rebuild. Look for any play on the connecting rods too.
 
Metal flakes with tiny parts of copper?
Crankshaft with bearings, con rod bearings and possibly a con rod or two unless you can get them repaired, oil pump, total sump clean out.
That should be a good start.

Next engine might run longer with a heavy duty motor oil that usually contains zinc.
Supposedly the higher zinc level keeps the cam alive longer but more so the heavy duty oil is NOT energy conserving. Heavy duty oil leaves a film behind for easier start up. Energy conserving oil loves to drain off and leave things dry. Great oil for a roller cam engine.

Next time pack the oil pump full of Vaseline prior to start. I usually stuff some in with the gears and then stuff it down the tube as I turn it so it comes out the other end. This will pretty much assure that your oil pump will not cavitate trying to pick up oil when starting a new engine.
 
if you run any engine with no oil pressure for 5 minutes that engine is toast. i dont think they would even run for 5 minutes. cheaper to get another tractor or a used engine. dont think you want to spend 2-3 k on parts repairing it. cause this means a total strip to a bare block.
 
If you are going to examine the oil pump it's not too much more work to look at the big end bearings . Removing just one shell will give you an indication of whether real damage has been done .
These engines are remarkable for being able to run on low oil pressure . Assuming it still turns over , I would flush the engine , fill it with fresh oil and start it again . You are unlikely to make things much worse and could find that it's in running condition .

This post was edited by Charles in Aus. on 07/13/2022 at 03:11 am.
 
actually you need to check you brgs. first on the list, if they are pooched then no use going any farther. if not then you continue on to the pump. you guys are backwards.as i said there is no engine going to run for 5 minutes without oil. remember you gave that info.
 
I never have been good at anachronisms and abbreviations, sorry to be such a dope. Bearings it is.

Yes, go right to the bearings. Pull one each of the mains and rods. Let us know what you find.
 
everybody knows that brgs.is engine bearings. so that means you have no mechanical knowledge to even begin working on an engine.
 
Oh yeah, none, absolutely no mechanical knowledge what so ever. Never picked up a wrench, or timed a cam with a degree wheel, or pulled an engine for a rebuild, or rebuilt an a904. Sucks to be such a dolt.

This post was edited by wjajr on 07/16/2022 at 04:35 am.
 
. . .there is no engine going to run for 5 minutes without oil....

Yeah, your right about that. I once witnessed an engine running 30 minutes without a drop of oil in it intentionally.
It was in a government institution and had to be destroyed as it was obsolete. So how long can an engine run at 2000 plus RPM with no oil?
30 (Thirty) minutes later, it was shut off because it would not seize up. No brng noise at all.

I bet you say that every gas engine needs spark wires to go with spark plugs also, right?
Yeah.
A few years ago, GM was experimenting with fiber optic cables to eliminate plug wires that break down with age.

How about spark plugs in a diesel engine?
What about spark plugs that will outlast an engine?

Possibility and Probability should NOT be confused.
 

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