I have a 2003 Ford Expedition 4.6L V8. Had a complete engine rebuild and I need to prime the oil system. Not sure how to go about doing this since the oil pump is a Gerotor Pump and is ran off the crankshaft.

It has a Coil over Sequential Firing Ignition system so no distributor to use for priming purposes.

 

I would disable the fuel and ignition systems and turn the engine over using the starter, if you feel the need to test the oil pump.

If the engine was assembled proberly, there should be loads of assembly lube on the various bearings, crank and cams. Personally, I would just start it up. That will cause high oil pressure to build almost immediately. The asembly lube will hold up plenty long enough for regular oil pressure to build. Of course, if for some reason it doesn't build pressure immediately, shut it down.

As it sits right now, it is really no different than it sits at any cold start, assuming it wasn't assembled dry. There should be no need to prime it.

 

What Big Greenie said.......fire it up. If you don't get oil pressure in a 5-7 seconds, then shut it down and find out why. You can pull the fuel pump fuse/relay and crank it over a bit first just to "prime" it a bit if you'd like, but it's not necessary.
JL

 

TSB
01-24-6 ENGINE - ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIPS

Publication Date: DECEMBER 3, 2001

FORD: 1995-1997 PROBE, THUNDERBIRD
1995-2000 CONTOUR
1995-2002 CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT, MUSTANG, TAURUS
2000-2002 FOCUS
2002 THUNDERBIRD
1995-1996 BRONCO
1995-1997 AEROSTAR, F-250, F-350
1995-2002 E SERIES, EXPLORER, F-150, RANGER, WINDSTAR
1997-2002 EXPEDITION
1999-2002 SUPER DUTY F SERIES
2000-2002 EXCURSION
2001-2002 ESCAPE, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, EXPLORER SPORT
LINCOLN: 1995-1998 MARK VIII
1995-2002 CONTINENTAL, TOWN CAR
2000-2002 LS
1998-2002 NAVIGATOR
2002 BLACKWOOD
MERCURY: 1995-1997 COUGAR
1995-1999 TRACER
1995-2000 MYSTIQUE
1995-2002 GRAND MARQUIS, SABLE
1999-2002 COUGAR
1995-2002 VILLAGER
1997-2002 MOUNTAINEER



ISSUE:
Reports of premature engine failure suggest some overhauled, new and/or remanufactured engine oil systems are not correctly primed prior to initial engine start-up, after being installed in the vehicle. This may cause oil starvation during initial engine start-up.
ACTION:
Prior to starting a new, overhauled or remanufactured engine, the oil pump and oil system should be primed to eliminate the possibility of oil starvation at start-up. Refer to the following Service Information for details.

SERVICE INFORMATION


Overhead Cam Engines (OHC):

Overhead cam engines use a G-rotor pump design and is driven by the crankshaft. If the engine is overhauled, the oil pump (prior to assembly) should be fed oil through the oil pick-up passage, prior to installing the pick-up tube and screen assembly. This can usually be accomplished by rotating the oil pump while oil is being fed into the oil pump inlet. Once the oil pump is primed, the oil pump can then be installed onto the engine.

Remanufactured engines are usually cold tested before leaving the plant. As a result, the oil pump should not have to be removed from the engine and primed.

Overhead cam engines, whether overhauled or remanufactured, prior to starting the engine, ensure the engine crankcase is filled to specification with engine oil. Disable the fuel supply to the fuel injectors (disable inertia fuel shut-off switch) and crank the engine in fifteen (15) second increments, until the oil pump is primed. An oil pressure gauge can be used to assist in determining when oil pressure is obtained.

NOTE: ENSURE THE INERTIA FUEL SHUT-OFF SWITCH IS RE-ENABLED PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING TO START ENGINE.



Overhead Valve Engines (OHV):

Overhead valve engines (push-rod type) use an oil pump driven by the camshaft via an intermediate shaft connected to the distributor or camshaft synchronizer assembly.

Whether the engine is overhauled or remanufactured, the oil pump should be primed prior to starting the engine. If the engine is overhauled, ensure the crankcase is filled to specification with engine oil and using an engine oil pump priming tool kit, (commercially available) rotate oil pump until it is primed. An oil pressure gauge can be used to assist in determining when oil pressure is obtained.

If a remanufactured engine is being installed, after the installation has been completed, ensure the crankcase is filled to specification with engine oil. Disable the fuel supply to the fuel injectors (disable inertia fuel shut-off switch) and crank the engine in (15) second increments, until the oil pump is primed. An oil pressure gauge can be used to assist in determining when oil pressure is obtained.

NOTE: ENSURE THE INERTIA FUEL SHUT-OFF SWITCH IS RE-ENABLED PRIOR TO ATTEMPTING TO START ENGINE.



Regardless of engine design, it is extremely important that the engine oil pump is correctly primed, prior to initial engine start-up.


OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:
NONE

WARRANTY STATUS:
Information Only

OASIS CODES:
401000, 497000, 499000

 

Thanks, I decided to pull the plugs, disable the fuel and turn it over using the starter to build the oil pressure.

Got her running and drove her about 50 miles today at differing rpm's.

Now I have an idle issue, been trying to find a picture of the engine in order to ensure that I reattached the vacuum lines correctly. Any help with that would be appreciated.