No Oil pressure for 30-45 seconds, help please!

[icefury]

Just wanted to get some feedback on this. Installed a Oil Filter relocation on my hybrid 3.0. Filled engine with oil and went to crank it up (was completly cold). 10 seconds no oil pressure. Stopped the motor and pulled the oil filter. Was full of oil. Started engine again for 10-15 seconds again no oil pressure. Pondered on the problem and started it once more for say 20 seconds and again no pressure. Stopped the motor and discovered my oil hose lines on the oil filter relocation kit were crossed. Switched them up and immediate normal oil pressure!

I'm concerned about the 30-45 seconds of completly cold running time with no oil pressure. I heard no out of the ordinary noise. Do you think I did any damage to the engine or bearings? (Bearings are Clevitt Tri metal 77)

Things to keep in mind...

1. Engine was completly cold

2. Engine was filled with 6 1/2 quarts of Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 5-30 just minutes before cranking

3. Always had oil pressure going as far as the oil filter, but none on the return line back to the block.

 

[Pablo]

This is not the first time I've heard of people mixing the lines up. I'm thinking you aren't screwed, but you may not want to go real long on that oil....

 

[Gary Allan]

No load...

 

[vizvo]

I don't think you have anything to worry about. People starting cars in cold climes often crank engines at -40° for a minute or two at a time with little or no oil pressure. Your engine wasn't under load. You live in fairly mild climate. The main concern would be spinning a bearing. It didn't happen, so it is unlikely to happen now.

For what it's worth, I've had cars where oil pressure dropped to 2 or 3 psi at idle on a hot summer day. Never had a problem. An engine at low rpms under "no load" conditions doesn't require much oil pressure.

 

[TheLoneRanger]

Even with a 'dry' start, the cylinder walls and bearings still have a residual film of oil on them. There shouldn't have been any damage done.....

 

[Matt_S]

I agree with the others. I doubt there was any damage to speak of. Heck, Mythbusters ran an old Cadillac V8 using bleach instead of oil at full throttle. It ran a surprisingly long time. I'd say running it for less than a minute with no load wouldn't really hurt it.

 

[Jim 5]

At least you know your anti-drainback valve is working.