Did I Kill My Oil Pump / Engine

[WillAWD]

I purchased a car with a bad timing belt. It is a 1996 GS-T. I put a new head on it and was setting the timing . While I was setting the timing I took off the rear plug in the back of the motor and put in a screwdriver to set the oil pump gear .To make a long story short I forgot it was in their and I started the motor.
My question is do you think I damage the oil pump and/or the motor by doing this. I did turn over the motor by hand 7 times to make sure it was timed right before starting and did not feel any resistance when I did it . I did notice a large puddle of oil on the ground and the screw drive laying their. I appreciate all and any comments. Thanks

 

[19Eclipse90]

If the screwdriver shank was long enough and inserted at least 2.4 inches (60mm) into the block, there should have been no way you were able to turn the engine over by hand. If the screwdriver was only able to be inserted 0.8-1.0 inches (20-25mm), you could have one of two situations. A, the screwdriver was hitting the outside of the shaft, meaning little to no damage. B, the screwdriver was hitting the inside of the shaft, in which case there could be some kind of damage. Much of this could be told by the condition of the screwdriver; was it bent, broken, or show signs of harsh contact?

Do you know if the balance shafts have been removed or not? That could be another reason you were able to turn the engine by hand.

My initial impression is that the tool simply got blown out of the crankcase along with some oil. Unless you have reason to believe you have damaged something, I'd say you are fine. At the same time, I've got the feeling something is not right now and that is why you made the thread. If that is the case, please do share.

 

[WillAWD]

Thanks for the reply !!!! The screw driver is about 2.5 inches long . It has a ever so slight bend to it now. The car was 100% stock and has all internal components. I started the car for about 5 seconds . With the new lifters it's hard to tell if their is a problem. It ran but it was very noisy. Last but not least I was worried because the stock gauge did not show any oil pressure. Thanks.

 

[19Eclipse90]

With what you have posted, things do not add up. Set the engine to TDC as if you were going to pull the timing belt and insert a longer (greater than 2.5 inch long shank) approximately 8mm in diameter into that hole and try to rotate the engine by hand. Again, with the screwdriver in place, the rear balance shaft should bind on it and keep the engine from rotating since this is the method used to remove the shaft from the oil pump gear in the first place. Prove that the engine does so.

Next, start with obvious things first: ensure the wire for the oil pressure gauge sensor is attached and, if so, that the sensor and gauge are both functional. A simple method for checking is in the service manual and is as follows: remove the oil pressure gauge unit connector; connect a test light (12V-3.4W) between the harness side connector and a ground; turn the ignition switch to "ON" and check the condition of the test light. If the test light is illuminated and the gauge needle is not moving, the oil pressure gauge is faulty. If the test light is illuminated and the gauge needle moves, the oil pressure gauge unit (sensor) is faulty. If the test light fails to illuminate and the gauge needle does not move, there is a problem in the harness.

Testing the oil pump itself, you might want to hear from more knowledgeable members than I. But if it were me, I'd pull the ENGINE fuse to prevent fuel and spark from being delivered, remove the valve cover and have someone crank the car over. You'll find out real quick whether or not the pump is working.

 

[MichaelSuch]

I doubt you damaged anything unless you lost a LOT of oil. The engine would be noisy from the new lifters like you said and it can take 15 minutes or so for those to quiet down. Check and make sure that the wire was attached to the sender. Mine constantly falls off, but I have an aftermarket gauge too. These oil pumps seem to be very robust, I don't think you would have any problems with yours on a stock unmolested engine.

 

[WillAWD]

Would the screwdrive have only hit the balance shaft or would it have broken off the oil pump . I have a hd video of the engine running but it's to large of a file to email.

 

[firefighter]

The easiest thing to do is remove the front timing belt cover and check all the belts.If the balance shaft hung up on the screwdriver you could have damage the oil pump belt or skipped time. Both events are bad.If the oil pump belt is broken or starting to fail you better replace it before it snaps and goes into the timing belt.

 

[19Eclipse90]

Would the screwdrive have only hit the balance shaft or would it have broken off the oil pump . I have a hd video of the engine running but it's to large of a file to email.

The balance shaft would hit the screwdriver. It would be a stretch to say it would break off the oil pump. Almost certainly the screwdriver would break before the balance shaft or the oil pump gears.

The easiest thing to do is remove the front timing belt cover and check all the belts.If the balance shaft hung up on the screwdriver you could have damage the oil pump belt or skipped time. Both events are bad.If the oil pump belt is broken or starting to fail you better replace it before it snaps and goes into the timing belt.

This is good advice except for the differentiation between an oil pump belt and timing belt since they are one in the same. The balance shaft belt (Timing belt "B") is not the oil pump belt; it controls the timing of the front balance shaft only and the rear shaft is the one (in)directly attached to the oil pump gears/sprocket and driven by the timing belt. The teeth on the belt are much more likely to sheer than the teeth on the oil pump gears.

 

[WillAWD]

Thanks I feel alittle bit better . The marks all still line up . I will put it back together and run it for awhile and let you all know how it goes . Thanks for all the responses.