T500 - checking the oil pump and lines.

[Fritz500]

Info to fellow forum members:

I'm rebuilding a T500J. I decided to test the oil pump before re-installing it. I connected it to the oil tank outlet and left the four outlets dangling in mid air (with a drip tray on the floor). I used a power drill to drive the pump and used a different colour (green) oil from what was still (brown) in the oil lines.

I had to prime the pump first as it hadn't been run for a few years... After running the drill for a while I noticed oil was only flowing out of 3 outlets. I poked a fine piece of plastic coated wire up the oil line (banjo fittings unscrew on the J) and the oil was noticeably thick. The wire cleared most of brown oil.

A second try with the power drill and all lines pumped about the same.

Lesson learned: Old oil or different viscosity oils may result in a line blockage. The use of a different colour oil helped to identified the issue quickly.

Cheers

[Fritz500]

Part 2 of my oil pump inspection...

The oil seal (9.5 x 16 x 4) at the bottom of the pump seems very loose on the shaft. The oil seal (8 x 14 x 4) on the top side seems a slightly tighter fit.

I checked the seals out of another pump and it was the same story. Obviously after 40+ years they are slightly shot.

There were absolutely no wear marks on the either of the two shafts due to the bottom seal, but the top end of both shafts had indication of the seal rubbing (and minor pitting due to corrosion). I assume crap travelling down the tacho drive cable contributed to the wear.

I am about to order replacement seals but was wondering if I should go for a (9 x 16 x 4) rather than a (9.5 x 16 x 4) bottom seal. I noticed on occasion there was air in the oil lines to the motor and assumed it was sucking it in from either of these two seals, in my opinion the "loose" bottom seal. I can't see any air getting past the "O" rings.

Any thoughts guys?



Geoff

[jabcb]

Went thru a similar problem with the top seal on my T500 oil pump.

Ended up using a seal dimensioned in inches.
Had measured the actual pump diameters & determined an acceptable range for seal ID & OD.
Seal was in the range but was a bit thicker so I needed to use a thicker gasket.

see: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8027&hilit=t500+oil+pump&start=45

Bloop2 sells kits on eBay with the o-rings & seals. That's the easiest way to get the stock-sized parts.

For the bottom seal, if the stock seal doesn't fit correctly then:
Measure the actual shaft & housing diameters.
My topic has links for seal manuals -- they provide the seal fit requirements.
From that info you should be able to find a seal that works ok.

Also important to remember: the pump priming bolt has left hand threads.

[Bloop2]

Part 2 of my oil pump inspection...



I am about to order replacement seals but was wondering if I should go for a (9 x 16 x 4) rather than a (9.5 x 16 x 4) bottom seal. I noticed on occasion there was air in the oil lines to the motor and assumed it was sucking it in from either of these two seals, in my opinion the "loose" bottom seal. I can't see any air getting past the "O" rings.

Geoff

If you go for a 9x16x4, it will mean the seal is tighter on the shaft and the rotation of the shaft may spin the seal in the pump housing. The 9.5x16x4 are hard to come by, only one supplier in North America. The kit I have on Ebay includes all the factory spec seals and O rings, includes shipping. My prices have gone up a bit as one of my suppliers increased their prices by 40% along with Canada Post which also raised their rates.


Thanks for the plug Jabcb!!!

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/301162086292?ssP ... 1555.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Fritz500]

Thanks for the quick responses guys.

I had already read the entire post on T500 pumps and seals and found it informative and very helpful.

I was also really interested to know if you believed the air issue was from either of these seals.


Cheers

[jabcb]

You can also get air bubbles due to problems with the oil lines.
The 1-into-2 junction on the T250/T350/T500 seems to be particularly problematic.

[pilotman75]

Anyone know where I can get replacement oil lines? Having a hard time finding them.