HELP! wont turn over at all... oil pump? oil pan bolts? other possible issues?

[alpine]

hey guys, new to this forum!

so was driving my 91 318is a few weeks ago and was getting on the freeway when the oil pressure light came on.. heard a ticking that was getting progressively louder as i drove... so i babied it back home and parked it. added a bit of oil thinking it was empty.. started her, still ticked VERY loud. let it sit another week and started her again, very loud still
finally, tried starting her today, doesnt even turn over. nothing at all...

any ideas?

gonna drop the lower oil pan tomorrow and see how many bolts are loose (loctite them as well), put a new gasket on, and pray that she turns over

what else could it be?
thanks guys!!

[deansweet]

Unfortunately, running motor with no oil pressure could lead to all sorts of detrimental failures.

[alpine]

im gonna start with the small easy things;
fuses
oil pan bolts
battery
ignition switch

anything else i can start ruling out?

[romkasponka]

im gonna start with the small easy things;
fuses
oil pan bolts
battery
ignition switch

anything else i can start ruling out?

Dont forget to check crankshaft, conrod bearings, camshaft carriers if you was running it without oil pressure for more than few minutes.

First try to turn engine without starter motor just to avoid burning it if the engine stuck. Remove the spark plugs to make it more easy to turn. Engine low oil pressure light should go of when you cranking engine with starter without spark plugs and after rebuild it sometimes take about 30s.



P.S. First thing you should do when you see oil pressure light and you hear hydraulic lifters noise you must shutdown engine immediately. If light is illuminated every second you damaging engine more and more.

[alpine]

ill try these things this week. thanks for the info!