2.9L Chasing Demons

[Jonald]

Working on 1992 Ranger 2.9. Odometer says 85600 miles (no idea how many times it has turned over). When I bought it, I knew it had an issue that turns on the check engine light (does not set a code) until it warms up. It came with a binder of receipts, including one for a similar issue that was resolved by fixing a vacuum leak.

I've searched for a vacuum leak and can't find it.

Then it started blowing oil out the dipstick tube at highway speeds. Replaced the PCV valve, check vacuum port an hose, cleaned valve cover breather - no difference. Put a glove finger over the dipstick tube to contain it.

Checked compression. Without opening throttle body plate, 5 cranks makes 120psi on all cylinders - very consistent across all cylinders and well within specs - shouldn't have any blow by.

Changed the fuel filter and power increased significantly. Also (almost) eliminated the check engine light when cold (it's come on twice in a dozen starts).

Now there is a new oil leak on the driver's side that I can't find, somewhere above the oil pan and below the head. Maybe the oil pressure sender? Cleaned it and watching it.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Working on 1992 Ranger 2.9. Odometer says 85600 miles (no idea how many times it has turned over). When I bought it, I knew it had an issue that turns on the check engine light (does not set a code) until it warms up. It came with a binder of receipts, including one for a similar issue that was resolved by fixing a vacuum leak.

I've searched for a vacuum leak and can't find it.

Then it started blowing oil out the dipstick tube at highway speeds. Replaced the PCV valve, check vacuum port an hose, cleaned valve cover breather - no difference. Put a glove finger over the dipstick tube to contain it.

Checked compression. Without opening throttle body plate, 5 cranks makes 120psi on all cylinders - very consistent across all cylinders and well within specs - shouldn't have any blow by.

Changed the fuel filter and power increased significantly. Also (almost) eliminated the check engine light when cold (it's come on twice in a dozen starts).

Now there is a new oil leak on the driver's side that I can't find, somewhere above the oil pan and below the head. Maybe the oil pressure sender? Cleaned it and watching it.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

The biggest concern is the dipstick blowing out. If the PCV is good it has to be blowby.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Even compression doesn't mean that oil rings are still good.

 

[Jonald]

Follow up...

The aftermarket crankcase breather was keeping the PCV valve from doing the job. Replaced it with a stock breather and oil no longer comes out the dipstick tube.

Oil leak is 2 oil leaks. Intake manifold gasket and oil filter bracket.

Hopefully this will help someone else chasing the same demons.