Original Posted By: "Ronnie Wagner"
Corky,The lack of oil pressure after starting is common with the small Continentalengines---especially when the engine has not been run for a while and theambient air temperature is high. Under these conditions the oil pump maybecome dry and need priming. This can be done in two ways:1. (already mentioned by several) With the propeller horizontal, lift thetail of your taildragger as high as you can and hold it there for at leasthalf a minute. Lower the tail, start the engine and run at idle speed.. If nooil pressure is indicated within 30 seconds, stop the engine and go toMethod #2 below.2. Remove the oil temperature bulb from the oil screen and shoot cleanengine oil into the oil screen with a squirt can. Be generous. Re-install thetempera- ture bulb and start the engine. I've been doing this for over 50 yearsand it has always worked for me.The reason Method #1 works is that with a parked taildragger the oil screenhousing will hold a bit of residual oil. This oil will flow into the oilscreen andhopefully prime the oil pump when the tail is lifted. A worn oil pump willlikelyneed more prime than can be held in the oil screen housing and you will thenhave to resort to Method #2.Let us know if this works for you. Good luck.Graham (Pietenpol CF-AUN)________________________________________________________________________________