Timekeeper explosion in P400

[DieselAmateur]

This thread has got me curious about whether oil starvation is a contributing factor to the gearset failure and if there's a relatively simple way to mitigate it some. The front timing chain/ gears get oil that has passed through the camshaft bearings from the rear to the front of the engine, after which the oil drains back to the sump correct? So varying oil pressure could really affect how much oil is making it to the front timing case.

I'm wondering if there is a relatively simple yet effective "insurance policy" of supplying a bit more oil to this area of the motor. Drill and tap the top of the timing cover and run an oil feed line to have extra oil dripping/ splashing down on the gears. Tee off the return line from the oil cooler. Too large a line and you lose oil pressure, too small a line and you're probably not adding much to make any difference. I'm no engineer so I can't say what size line would be the sweet spot or if an oil supply line from a different part of the engine would be better.

 

[jrsavoie]

Doesn't the engine oil fill neck run down there?

That's where I return my engine oil bypass filters to

I put a nipple in the engine oil fill neck.

I supply the filter by installing a T in the engine oil cooler return line.

The bypass filter restricts flow so you don't have an oil starvation issue

 

[Twisted Steel Performance]

This thread has got me curious about whether oil starvation is a contributing factor to the gearset failure and if there's a relatively simple way to mitigate it some. The front timing chain/ gears get oil that has passed through the camshaft bearings from the rear to the front of the engine, after which the oil drains back to the sump correct? So varying oil pressure could really affect how much oil is making it to the front timing case.

I'm wondering if there is a relatively simple yet effective "insurance policy" of supplying a bit more oil to this area of the motor. Drill and tap the top of the timing cover and run an oil feed line to have extra oil dripping/ splashing down on the gears. Tee off the return line from the oil cooler. Too large a line and you lose oil pressure, too small a line and you're probably not adding much to make any difference. I'm no engineer so I can't say what size line would be the sweet spot or if an oil supply line from a different part of the engine would be better.

I'm working on this now, I'm not ready to offer it yet.. I'll feed pressurized oil that sprays directly on the chain or gear set...

 

[jrsavoie]

I'm working on this now, I'm not ready to offer it yet.. I'll feed pressurized oil that sprays directly on the chain or gear set...

Would oil running down the fill neck help. I'm guessing I could go outpatient and look at my truck to answer that. Too tired for that. I'm not even looking forward to just walking up and down the stairs to take drugs.

 

[Twisted Steel Performance]

No, feeding oil through the fill tube would do little to nothing. The place that needs oiling is deeper towards the crank area.

I'll have something to show in a few weeks, parts are being made and I have cut a cover to be able to see and video what my idea is and does, it won't be on a running motor but it should show the process.

Drilling and tapping the cover isn't a good idea, the cover is only 1/8" thick and that would permote cracking and leaking so I'm doing it a little different.

 

[jrsavoie]

No, feeding oil through the fill tube would do little to nothing. The place that needs oiling is deeper towards the crank area.

I'll have something to show in a few weeks, parts are being made and I have cut a cover to be able to see and video what my idea is and does, it won't be on a running motor but it should show the process.

Drilling and tapping the cover isn't a good idea, the cover is only 1/8" thick and that would permote cracking and leaking so I'm doing it a little different.

I didn't think the cover was that thick.

Seems this would still be good with a bypass filter - to return from the bypass.

 

[SnowDrift]

I didn't think the cover was that thick.

Not thick enough to keep a broken crank from cracking it

 

[dbrannon79]

There has to be some kind of pressure there though, on my 93 that has an engine from a 99, the oil feed line for the turbo is threaded into a port on the timing cover. I assume that is the last area oil passes then exits the engine, the turbo seems to get enough oil. one day I forgot I had disconnected it from the turbo before cranking. LOL I had a mess to clean!

That hose is what put this truck down when the PO had it. it had blown on him, He couldn't find the leak and knew it leaked bad so it got parked for a few years until I came along.

 

[Will L.]

Nope. That oil line comes out of the front of the block.

The oil supply under pressure is the camshaft galley for everything on top half of the engine.

 

[Twisted Steel Performance]

There has to be some kind of pressure there though, on my 93 that has an engine from a 99, the oil feed line for the turbo is threaded into a port on the timing cover. I assume that is the last area oil passes then exits the engine, the turbo seems to get enough oil. one day I forgot I had disconnected it from the turbo before cranking. LOL I had a mess to clean!

That hose is what put this truck down when the PO had it. it had blown on him, He couldn't find the leak and knew it leaked bad so it got parked for a few years until I came along.

How about posting a pic, I'd like to see where it's at on the front cover, it's not factory done I know..

 

[Will L.]

How about posting a pic, I'd like to see where it's at on the front cover, it's not factory done I know..

I think he is ballparking the area and hasn’t seen the port.

 

[DieselAmateur]

I hadn't thought about using the turbo oil feed port for supplying the gears, seems way easier than teeing off the oil cooler line.

@Twisted Steel Performance looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Is the side of the timing cover thicker material? Or is welding the best option for installing a oil feed port