(Yes, the oil sender is plugged in, and YES, there's 5 quarts of oil in the car)

The motor in my evo was blown. Purchased a used motor from a rollover car (8,000 miles approximately on it) from a large part-out company down in Miami. My mechanic put the motor in, filled it up with oil, primed the oil lines (Cranked it without starting for a while), all that jazz, and test drove the car down the street. The car didnt boost much at all, the turbo sounds fried (grinding when you shut the car off), and it pulled a P0014 code (Relating to MIVEC), and the "CHECK OIL" light is on, even though it is full.

The engine was compression and leakdown tested and supposedly is in spec.

There is no rod knock, but the valvetrain does sound a little louder than usual, but nothing too loud. (I know what bent valves sound like, and its nowhere near that loud, more like loud lifters)

The car will not idle properly it seems like, but this may very well be due to the fact that MIVEC cannot adjust the timing.

The big question is, what would cause the "Check OIL" light to come on with a motor that seems to be in OK running condition, with the oil level being what it should be (5 quarts). The oil cooler was swapped when the old engine was removed, so there shouldnt be any chance of metal in the oil system from the old motor being blown.

Im stumped at this point, but luckily the new motor has a warranty, so if it turns out that I got another bad motor, its not a HUGE deal, but is there anything we should be looking for? I dont think its the oil pressure sensor, because there is obviously a REAL oiling issue, due to the MIVEC problem and the turbo sounding shot.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

Sounds like an engine oil control valve. This would also explain your P0014 code. You need to check oil pressure following the procedure in the FSM.

 

This would be the one thing that I would be worried about the most. Keep a good eye on the oil pressure as to not ruin the new block (if it isn't already) before you sort the problem out.

 

could also be a bad oil pressure switch, but like I said in my previous post, you need to see if you have a mechanical problem (oil control valve) or an electrical/sensor problem (pressure switch)

 

$50 oil pressure gauge is nice to have.

 

Actually, nevermind. the motor is being returned and exchanged for another one, along with a new turbo since this one fried mine.

Thanks guys.