2001FichtRam oiling ,150hp.60deg. block

[KorvetteKapitan]

A question to the operating characteristic of the Ficht RAm oiling system. Is it normal for the oil injection pump to give a boost to the pressure when transistioning rapidly from idle to over 2000 rpms with visible puff of smoke coming from the exhaust?<br /><br />I have tested the lift pump and it is ok , the fuel lift pump just replaced with newer type installed, all oil check valves checked and clear for the oil recirculation system. Motor has about 900 hrs. Ficht Ram oil used from day one. I know the service manual states initial boost of oil pressure upon start up with low temp. to clear air from the lines. But once the motor is warmed up does it cycle the oil pump all the time on rapid power up,giving this extra shot of oil? I assume this produces the visible puff of smoke. Any ideas. While on this topic how much better is the newer oiling system with the new pressure transducer? Forgot to mention cooling system is working fine, just replaced lower thermostat and cover,and poppet blow-off valve(Pressure relief)Runs at about 135Deg.F, and runs great. New exhaust probe replaced too!

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 2001FichtRam oiling ,150hp.60deg. block

How did you check the lift pump? Did you pressurize each pulse line and look for a leakdown? Any traces of oil in either pulse line?<br /><br />What is the oil pressure in the line read when the engine is running at different speeds? Too much, above 20 psi and oil will flow thru the injector by itself. Did you pressure test the oil injector per the service manual?

 

[KorvetteKapitan]

Re: 2001FichtRam oiling ,150hp.60deg. block

I used vacuum to test the oil lift pump and it held on both sides of the diaphram.<br />Good idea on pressure testing the oil system under operating conditions. The service book indicated no more than 43psi. for output pressure from the injector pump. <br />I'll check it soon with a gauge on the system.<br />The oil return line is clear and unobstrusted to the tank. The inline oil pressure reg. I will also look into. Let you know soon.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 2001FichtRam oiling ,150hp.60deg. block

The line pressure after the pump and before the pressure regulator should be between 6 and 20 psi. IF you see over 15, look for a bad regulator or restriction, or a kink somewhere in the return line.<br /><br />Where do you see a 43psi output on the injector itself? I'm not familiar with that spec.

 

[KorvetteKapitan]

Re: 2001FichtRam oiling ,150hp.60deg. block

While looking in the service manual under the heading of Excessive Smoking , system pressure over 43 psi. could cause continuous oil flow into the cylinder bores. Perhaps I confused the oil injector unit pressure test of holding 30 psi. for 5 min. with the above.<br />Anyway I need to put a direct pressure gauge on the system and see what's up! I hope I'm not nit picking the operating characteristics of the motor as It really runs great. I get over 200hrs. on one set of plugs with just a re-gap at 100hrs.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: 2001FichtRam oiling ,150hp.60deg. block

I've got the exact same motor, 2000 though, it runs perfect and I have never done a thing to it, besides normal PM, it throws the same puff of smoke when accelerating hard, especially after trolling for a while, it never concerned me because the motor runs so perfectly and smoothly. If it isn't normal though please let me know what you find out as I would like to take care of it on mine.

 

[KorvetteKapitan]

Re: 2001FichtRam oiling ,150hp.60deg. block

I finally got a oil pressure gauge on the system.<br />The first gauge fluctuated too rapidly to read.<br />The second oil filled gauge worked better with a reading of 7to 10psi.<br />It read constant with RPM increase.<br />I removed a oil line to a cylinder oiler fitting to get a real picture of oiling. This can get messy! A visible oil stream shot out of the nipple when the throttle was advanced beyond 2000 RPM.<br />When blocking the oil return line by hand ,(pressure went over 40psi.)I got the same continuous oil flow.<br />At idle only a spurt every 6-10 seconds or so.<br />The oil pressure remained constant throughout the test. <br /><br />I can only assume this is a normal programmed oiling pattern ,giving me the puff of smoke when advancing the throttle rapidly. <br />The same pattern of oil flow happens when blocking the return line. I guess alittle over oiling is better than the alternative lack of oil.<br /><br />The book says it happens only once to purge air out of the oil lines until warmed up, but my motor was at normal temp. 140Deg. and it pumps up every time the throttle is nailed.<br /><br />The actual running of the motor is great and not a problem. I can live with the faint puff of smoke from the mighty dragon!<br /><br />Note: when blocking off the return line you will get excessive smoking until the oil clears out of the combustion chamber.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: 2001FichtRam oiling ,150hp.60deg. block

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you saying that you removed one of your oil lines from the injector manifold and then reved the engine above 2000 RPM without lubrication to one of the cylinders, to see the stream of oil? Does that sound a little damaging to anybody else?

 

[KorvetteKapitan]

Re: 2001FichtRam oiling ,150hp.60deg. block

Yes, it sounds damaging but I had no load on the motor putting it in neutral, advancing the throttle with the release detent.<br />The same thing happens when it goes into SLOW when the oilpressure sets a code.<br />PLenty of oil in the crankcase system to sling around at low speed. I only tested it for 5 min. that way with intermittent bursts of throttle up to the 2000 RPM.range.