Oil Pump not pumping

[Mitchell]

I have a stock DP 1600 engine. The engine has an external cooler and a sump for oil capacity. The engine has a 26 mm oil pimp, plugged to send oil to the cooler. I was not happy with the oil pressure so I planned to replace the current oil pump with a 30 mm oil pump. My reason for wanting to change was I thought, probably incorrectly, the addition of the oil cooler was part of the low oil pressure issue. When I went to purchase a new pump, I was talked out of it and the shop owner suggested changing oil viscosity. I replaced the 26 mm oil pump and when I started the engine there was no oil pressure. I was not sure why so I removed the cover place from the oil cooer and noticed there was no oil in the pump. For some reason the oil pump is not picking up oil. I am running 20W 50 oil, but would like to change to 30 weight oil or10W 30.20W 50 is getting harder to find.

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mitchell

[AdminSteve]

20W50 is the correct oil to run, using anything lighter will result in lower oil pressures unless the motor was built using tighter tolerances and running lighter oil will increased heat. Sounds like you need to prime the pump, basically back fill it with oil and rotate the motor a couple of times. Adding a 30mm pump will not increase oil pressure as much as it will increase the volume of oil it can move.

AdminSteve

[Mitchell]

Thanks for the information. I did as you suggested and the oil pressure is back. I am 71 years old and have had VW's since i was a teenager. I have never had to prime a VW oil pump, so this is a first for me. As the saying goes, you're never to old to learn something new.

Thanks,
Mitchell