Priming an Oil Pump
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 4
From: Blue Springs, MO
Year: 1993
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Laredo
May I suggest you kill the power to the fuel pump as opposed to pulling the coil wire? I would think that pumping raw fuel into your cylinders while cranking your engine to prime the oil pump would be less than ideal. What do you think fellas?
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Correct, maybe. And the oil galleries will fil lup in about 20 seconds while cranking with the coil disconnected. The existing oil film on the bearings will provide more than enough protection for the 20 second period.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
That would work, too. Not a bad idea. They build oil pressure quite quickly though.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 760
Likes: 6
From: Landers, CA
Year: Several
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yes the cam is broken in. But without oil on it, it will wear in further. When the pump is removed, the oil galleys drain, so NO oil gets to the cam for quite a while.
At least 50% of the total wear on the cam occurs in the first 5 minutes when new - and when installing a new cam you coat it with tons of grease. After a pump change you don't normally coat it with grease - it's dry! There's not alot of room left to break it in again.
But don't believe it - just be ready to put a cam in it. Packing the pump with Vasoline helps the pump get pumping fast.
Take the chance - or drop the pan and pack the pump with Vasoline.
Feeling lucky? Would you win in Vegas tonite?
At least 50% of the total wear on the cam occurs in the first 5 minutes when new - and when installing a new cam you coat it with tons of grease. After a pump change you don't normally coat it with grease - it's dry! There's not alot of room left to break it in again.
But don't believe it - just be ready to put a cam in it. Packing the pump with Vasoline helps the pump get pumping fast.
Take the chance - or drop the pan and pack the pump with Vasoline.
Feeling lucky? Would you win in Vegas tonite?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
From: Havana fl
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I totally agree with serious. You need to pack an oil pump with grease or vasoline or something. But due to his limited skills id say pull the ASD relay spin it over until it just does register some pressure, then stop reinstall relay and fire it up. Dont just pull the coil wire disable fuel....
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I totally agree with serious. You need to pack an oil pump with grease or vasoline or something. But due to his limited skills id say pull the ASD relay spin it over until it just does register some pressure, then stop reinstall relay and fire it up. Dont just pull the coil wire disable fuel....
No need to pack the pump.
Disconnect the CPS. Crank til you see oil pressure on the gauge. Plug the CPS back in and fire it off.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Cool idea. Also, if I had a 99 I think I'd like to know where my ASD relay was. Pulling that would do it also.
Johnny, that relay controls about everything. About anytime your Jeep won't work you might check/swap that.
Myself, I'm not positive the CPS connector on a 99 is on the left...I just don't know.
Johnny, that relay controls about everything. About anytime your Jeep won't work you might check/swap that.
Myself, I'm not positive the CPS connector on a 99 is on the left...I just don't know.
No need to pack the pump. Melling does not recommend this anyway.
This isn't a new rebuild so there is plenty of residual oil on the bearings. Just kill the ignition or fuel and turn it over.
This isn't a new rebuild so there is plenty of residual oil on the bearings. Just kill the ignition or fuel and turn it over.
So i have an 87 jeep cherokee XJ 4.0L 6 CYL. and i was replacing the Oil pan seal and removed the oil pump to do so ( i dont have a lift)...and now i put it all together and am looking for a way to prime it i tryed while it was out.. i put the pick up tubein a container of new oil and spun the shaft on top with a electric screwdriver and well nothing happen maybe i have a crappy screw driver... i do know of the other ways to prime the engine just not sure of whats the best and how to properly do it .. the screw driver method down the distributor or disableing the ignition system and turning over the engine.. i even heard of filling the oil filter then quickly turning it over and screwing it on and trying to start the engine...just i dunno if that would work. so my questions is clearly whats the best way to prime an oil pump ( already in the jeep) and how to do so clearly.
2) To properly prime the oil pump, you would remove the distributor, valve cover, and oil pressure sensor. The hose for a mechanical gage would replace the oil pressure sensor. You would run a priming rod down through the distributor hole (options are the centre shaft removed from another distributor, or a Small Block Chevvy oil pump priming rod with the collar removed,) engaging the drive tang with the oil pump drive. Then, use a power drill motor to spin the pump - of course, the oil sump would have to be filled for this to work! But, the oil pump should be the only thing turning.
3) Run the pump until you see steady pressure for at least thirty seconds (mandatory,) and until you see oil being delivered to the valvetrain through the pushrods for at least ten seconds (optional, but recommended.)
4) Remove the priming rod, reinstall the distributor to correct timing.
5) Reinstall the valve cover.
6) Start engine. Monitor oil pressure (via mechanical gage) for at least 60 seconds before loading engine - manipulate throttle by hand to make sure that oil pressure follows throttle opening.
7) Stop engine
8) Remove mechanical oil pressure gage, reinstall OPS and reconnect wire.
9) Return vehicle to service.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
I guess even with fuel injection cranking it with the plugs out isn't necessary gonna "flood/rinse" the oil from the rings. Just ramblen'. With a carb there would be no vacuum to draw fuel in. Anyway knowing where your ASD relay is, (if you have one), makes sense. Just pulling that will kill spark and fuel.
Last edited by DFlintstone; Sep 12, 2013 at 03:34 PM.
This is one of those things you really want to do right!


