Several months ago my daughter was driving the car and it was running perfectly, except for a P0442(small evap leak). I wasn't too concerned about the code and was going to get to it when I had a free weekend.
She was starting to merge into the freeway when suddenly it started running rough and showed no oil pressure. She shut down the car immediately and had it towed to my shop.

Today is the day I'm trying to figure out what is causing the problem. I was hoping it was a sensor or something easy.
Had to charge the battery. Started the car, it still runs rough and shows no oil pressure. I only ran it for about 30 seconds. Checked the connection to the oil sensor and it was still attached.
Next I took off the oil filler cap on the cam cover. I ran my finger inside on top of the lobes and they were dry. There was no fresh oil on the bottom of the cap. Looks like there actually is no oil pressure. I think the car running rough might be from no oil going to the VVT.
Some of you might remember this is the engine that had a broken secondary tensioner on the left side. The valves hit the piston on one cylinder and broken valves were stuck in the top of the piston. I replaced the piston, rod, bearing, and the head on that side. It has been running great for over a year.
I'm thinking it has to be the oil pickup or the pump. I had the sump and pickup off and cleaned everything when I did the repair on the engine.
I plan to first drop the pan to inspect the pickup to see if that is the issue.
I don't recall in my 4 years on the forum of an oil pump failure.
I'll post later on what I find in the pan.

 

30 seconds is a long time with no oil pressure and it is in addition to the time during your daughter's incident. it might make more sense to not waste any more time on this engine other than a total rebuild or replacement.

BTW the oil pump failure might be due to debris from the original incident. either way, you are taking the engine apart.

 

Well I don't know if it was the oil pump or other damage caused by the incident, but I don't think I have enough JB Weld to put it back together, but I did find out why it was running a little rough. I have an AJ27 6 cylinder.



It's hard to see inside with the sump but it appears the rod on the right side, opposite the cylinder I did the repair on, disinnergraded. At the time I thought I would repair the visible damage but the original incident could have caused damage to the crankshaft or the opposing rod. It was worth the try and I learned a lot about these engines.

The bottom end is beyond repair. I have a spare AJ27, 99, that I have in North Carolina. When I go back there this summer I will bring it back with me and put it in this car.

 

That's a real mess. It's nice to have spare engines, but in a few more years we may all need a spare car to keep them on the road. Even with that the electronics may be the limiting factor.

 

What a shame.
I admire your stoicism about the 'event'. I guess having both the spares and the ability makes it less painful, but - ouch!

 

Bob, that sucks . I'm glad your daughter is ok, and kudos to her for knowing to shut down asap.

John

 

@Bobroy,

Geez, that's some serious debris in the oil pan. Normally we expect to see bits of plastic from the tensioners & guides, but..... Geez! Some picture!

Glad to hear your daughter is fine after this serious car problem. I'm not sure if the cause of "low oil pressure" could be any worst. You'll never know how or when this problem started.

As you have a spare engine, I am happy you are planning to give this Cat a "heart transplant" and another chance. Most would write off the car.

 

Thank you all for your replys.

I talked to my son in North Carolina and we are thinking that I'll take the car back there and he can put the motor in the car.

Thanks for the thoughts for my daughter.