Oil pressure.

[DaveM42]

Got a problem.
Oil pressure light on, checked oil and changed the switch as I had one anyway, light still on and engine is now starting to sound a bit tappety up top, I've taken off cam cover and filter housing and oil is not circulating.
Anyone got any ideas about common blockages etc as I'm scared to think about oil pumps.

[E30Mark]

Have you checked the pressure relief valve on the side of the block?

[town325i]

i think you need to get the sump off before running the engine again and have a look at the oil pump and have a look at the gauze in the pump

[DaveM42]

Its the rotor type pump and is buried in the middle behind the timing case, I had the sump off and hoped the pick up pipe had just "fell off" but it was still on.
It looks a big job even to get to the pressure relief valve.
Even if it is the pump and valve plus gaskets etc they dont cost too much but it looks like a total nightmare of a job.

[mark_i]

Dave, while you have the lower pan off, check the bolts that hold the upper pan to the block.

The bolts at the front can work loose and allow the oil pump to suck in air.

[DaveM42]

Thanks for the replies guys. I stripped the car at the weekend and changed pump, pressure relief valve, all the gaskets new oil etc, now working perfectly. The old pump had noticable wear on the rotors, the car only has done 89k so I'm not sure what was the cause.

[rix313]

Don't happen to know what pressure it runs at do you?