Paul, you had me wondering with your response because I'd recently talked
to Dave about this subject. I called him back and found out exactly what's
happening. Mazda refers to it as a metering pump, and it could be
considered a pump, but it really is truly a metering device, because it
controls the amount of oil going to the apex seals. The oil for the
metering  pump reservior is supplied by the engine oil pump thru a very
small opening which is relieved (vented).

There is virtually no pressure in the system because only a very small drop
of oil is required to lube the apex seal. We could argue if there's any
pressure in the reservior, but it really doesn't matter, does it.

Chuck Harbert

Yes it does. There are no two ways about it. It is not pressurized from
the engine oil pump. The reservoir operates at atmospheric pressure. That 
is one reason Richard's adapter works so well.

Paul Lamar
 
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