I just recently replaced the drive chain components, both VCT sprockets, timing chain guides and pretty much all the front components of the V8 engine because of a grinding noise during start up. Within hours of picking up my LR3, all the dashboard instruments lit up and the engine and oil light comes on and flashes. It is now back in the shop just to find out that the oil pump may not be working as there is no oil pressure? Just finished looking at the oil pump and it looks fine but a lot of gunk in the screen and pick up tube. The shop also stated that there is scoring on the rod connector bearings because of the lack of oil from the pick up tube being plugged. Can I still reuse the pump if cleaned and how much would the minimal scoring on the rod connector bearings affect the oil pressure? Please help as I am now into my engine for close to $7000 for drive chain, new pump and possible rod bearing connector ends.

 

Som
Hola!
Having read your post and I can comment on your predicament!
I presume you had this in a shop for the chain replacement etc.
Sludging of the engine is fairly common on modern engines where oil change frequencies are overlooked or oils are mixed. Variable valve timing systems only make this condition worse and when repairs are undertaken as a professional in his business an assessment has to be made about disturbing the sludged deposits in the engine as they tend to fall into the pan where they can plug the oil pump strainer and cause oil starvation as you have obviously experienced.

When doing this specific job the valve covers and timing case sections have to be removed , this allows to observation into the pan where an inspection can be made to determine how much sludge and deposits dwell in the pan. In any case any deposits in the heads and timing case area can fall into the pan after start up and plug up the strainer sop steps have to be taken to minimize this.

As for the oil pump its a judgement call as to its fitness for future use!
As for the crank bearings and rods the running clearance is about 0.0015" to around 0.003". Once starvation occurs the shell bearings quickly become overheated through lack of lubrication and start to melt.
The results are enough to wreck the finish on the crankshaft. Oil pressure cannot be sustained by the pump
All of this can add up to a very costly repair!
If its any indication the last V8 LR I fixed in this condition was the BMW 4.4 in a L322, the job came out to $15K.
Hope that this catches you sitting down, most of the options tend to add up to $$$$$.
T/V