New engine ticking and oil guage flapping

[Red Rover]

I have a 2003 3.0 Liter connected to a 5spd with 110k on it. I have not had any work done on it in at least 6 months.

Three days ago I was driving up a VERY steep driveway and my oil guage started flopping around like mad. It normally stays halfway between H and L. The gauge stopped flapping when I leveled out but I've seen it wiggle once or twice since. That same night I was driving and noticed my engine ticking like a really fast watch. It seems to be coming from the top end.

My guess is a bad lifter seal has something to do with both. Any ideas?

Thanks guys!

 

[hondaxr650]

I hate to state the obvious, but you checked the oil, right?

 

[modelageek]

I have a 2003 3.0 Liter connected to a 5spd with 110k on it. I have not had any work done on it in at least 6 months.

Three days ago I was driving up a VERY steep driveway and my oil guage started flopping around like mad. It normally stays halfway between H and L. The gauge stopped flapping when I leveled out but I've seen it wiggle once or twice since. That same night I was driving and noticed my engine ticking like a really fast watch. It seems to be coming from the top end.

My guess is a bad lifter seal has something to do with both. Any ideas?

Thanks guys!

you know about the 3.0 death wobble don't you........the cam syncro can go bad....the cam syncro drives the cam sensor as well as the oilpump....

I am not sure if that is your issue but it is good to know about it anyways
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/camshaft_position_sensor.html

 

[Red Rover]

Read the article. I have to drive the truck to work tomorrow, but after that I'm gonna park it until I figure out what's wrong.

Tonight I noticed that it took 5 minutes of street driving and 5 minutes on the highway to start making the sound. At 65 mph and 3k rpm it almost sounds like paper flapping in bicycle spokes. Oil gauge didn't give me any trouble on my 30 minute drive home. Tomorrow I'll see if it the sound relates to any engine temp

 

[modelageek]

If you can create the noise while parked use an auto stethoscope to locat the sound. If it is coming from the syncro I would not drive it until you fix it.