niklas 1 Posted January 11, 2007 How thight should the oil pump chain be? Mine is pretty loose.. If I press the chain inwards halfway between the sprockets I can easily press it 10 mm inwards... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan 99 Posted January 11, 2007 Sounds fine. It doesn't need to be stretched tight. As long as it can't ump of the teeth it'll be ok. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niklas 1 Posted January 11, 2007 Sounds fine. It doesn't need to be stretched tight. As long as it can't ump of the teeth it'll be ok. Great! Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony 1,003 Posted January 11, 2007 As said, the chain always runs what seems like fairly loose. So long as you're using the correct chain and you've got the L-shaped spacer plate under the pump it'll be fine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niklas 1 Posted January 11, 2007 As said, the chain always runs what seems like fairly loose. So long as you're using the correct chain and you've got the L-shaped spacer plate under the pump it'll be fine Does it matter if I stretch the chain a little? As long as it not tight as a piano string.. I will measure the distance between the sump and the oil pickup but it seems to be somewhere in the area 5-10mm, and I might make a thicker L-shaped spacer plate to make that distance a little shorter! Could be a good idea with regards to oil surge...!? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lagonda 42 Posted January 11, 2007 Hi, Had the same worry with mine, seems alarmingly loose. Advice to me was that this looseness was to allow for heat expansion of the aluminium of the oil pump as opposed to the steel of the chain. I checked the sprocket teeth, which were fine (they'd be hook shaped if worn), and checked the chain by "bending" it (gently, obviously!) sideways to see how far out of a straight line it would go, also by pulling/pushing individual links for fee play. In both cases wear was obviously minimal. Suggest you try those checks for peace of mind. If all appears OK you'll have peace of mind. Know where you're coming from though, there does seem to be a lot of slop there, you just have to assume it's there for the reason stated! According to Haynes the L shaped spacer was only fitted to early cars, later pumps were modified to do away with it. Mine is late 89 & doesn't have a spacer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niklas 1 Posted January 11, 2007 Hi, Had the same worry with mine, seems alarmingly loose. Advice to me was that this looseness was to allow for heat expansion of the aluminium of the oil pump as opposed to the steel of the chain. I checked the sprocket teeth, which were fine (they'd be hook shaped if worn), and checked the chain by "bending" it (gently, obviously!) sideways to see how far out of a straight line it would go, also by pulling/pushing individual links for fee play. In both cases wear was obviously minimal. Suggest you try those checks for peace of mind. If all appears OK you'll have peace of mind. Know where you're coming from though, there does seem to be a lot of slop there, you just have to assume it's there for the reason stated! According to Haynes the L shaped spacer was only fitted to early cars, later pumps were modified to do away with it. Mine is late 89 & doesn't have a spacer. Great advices lagonda! I will have a look and verify that the wear is within limits.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lillpete 0 Posted February 6, 2007 I can hear a chain rattle type sound coming from (without bonnet up search) the front of the engine, could this be the oil pump chain is loose?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lillpete 0 Posted February 8, 2007 If it is the oil pump chain is this easily adjusted?? just drop the sump and tighten a bolt?? (I hope) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
taylorspug 7 Posted February 8, 2007 The chain isnt really adjustable in any way other than shimming it, which requires the oil pump to be taken off. Make doubly sure its that 1st though, i dont think its common for them to go, and they are run pretty loose as standard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matty_gti 20 Posted February 8, 2007 Not all XU engines have the shims in between the pump and the block do they? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 245 3 Cars Posted February 10, 2007 Not all XU engines have the shims in between the pump and the block do they?No, for a while oil pumps were made with the extra width built in but its been a fairly even split on the engines I've stripped if they've had them or not. IIRC the XU10 had the shim fitted where a couple of the XU5/9's I've done haven't had it. I didn't fit one on mine when I rebuilt it & the chain was about the same as Niklas mentions his to be at first. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
