after replacing the head on a 98 elantra 1.8 when first started was ok. moved car around shut down checked for leaks, restarted, no oil pressure. level ok,lifters started tapping,light on. any one have any ideas?

 

drop the oil pan, and inspect the oil pickup screen for blockage; if OK, then remove the front cover, and inspect the oil pump for wear

 

I just replaced a head in a 2005 Elentra with dual overhead cams cvvt. I have the same problem. Starts up runs for about 2-5 minutues the starts tapping and the oil light goes on???? Let me know what you find.

 

It is possibly the oil pump pickup that needs a clean or you can manually bleed the oil system by removing the oil sender switch from the engine block and install a pipe and pressure unit filled with oil to push oil into the system. Crank the motor while doing this.
With none off these availible remove the sender unit and crank the motor and see if the oil pumps out, replace unit and try again, make sure crank case is on its level.
If this fail pump is shot and should be replaced.
Dit you make sure the gasket is fitted correctly and that the oil hole is open to the head.
Regards.

 

I had the same issue. I dropped the oil pan to find the oil pickup tube clogged with sludge. Cleaned both the pickup and oil pan. Now I have 70psi at start up then it drops to 25psi at 1500rpms after reaching operational temerature. The most acurate way to check thr pressure is by removing the oil pressure sending unit and installing a pressure gauge.