New owner, Need some help!

[b23]

I recently bought a 96 Mazda b2300, body is straight, some surface rust on the bumpers but overall great shape. Will be using it for a work truck in here in Phoenix AZ

I do have one concern with the truck though, it seems to not be draining any oil at all from the head. I bought it today after it was being driven, so I am going to check it after sitting tonight to see if it drains into the pan.

If the oil in the head does drain into the pan overnight I plan on soaking the engine in cleaning agent. I have been reading diesel fuel or ATF fluid works for this purpose. I plan on soaking it with the diesel fuel, then immediately doing an oil/filter change, then oil/ATF ran through it for a little bit and another oil/filter change. Then run it with a more dilluted oil/ATF blend for awhile, maintaining regular oil changes. This engine needs some serious TLC as it is right now, but if I can clear the oil issue up I will be doing an overhaul of all the other components.

The oil temp is also reading cold even after driving for awhile, and the thermostat is reading either nothing or very very cold most of the time.

Got the truck for a decent price assuming these problems are easy and reasonably cheap to sort out. The previous owner drove it regularly until fairly recently and had no hesitations driving it 100+ miles to meet me, so I do trust it is in good condition. It just seems to be on the verge of failure in the near future due to this neglect so I would like to sort it out ASAP.

Am I going down the right path with my diagnosis? Any help appreciated, thank you!

 

[PanamaExpat]

On your oil drain problem I would pull the valve cover and get out a coat hanger, straighten it out, and poke it down the oil returns. Does sound like a sludge build up problem. I have done the diesel and the ATF clean out on motors in the past with no issues but... I will tell you to do that at your own risk however. Auto parts stores also sell a pre-oil change motor flush that I think is mainly a quart of diesel so you can make your own decision on what to use. Then buy some cheap synthetic and run on it for a week or two and change again. Make sure you change filters each time you change oil. That should de-sludge it for the most part. After a run or two of cheap synthetic put the oil you plan on using in and enjoy.

Oil temp gauge? Is it aftermarket?
AS for temp gauge issue... Does it even have a thermostat in it? I know many times in hotter climates people tend to remove them and forget them. You could also just have a bad sending unit. It will be the one with one wire on it. take the wire loose and short it to ground and see if the gauge goes to hot. If so replace sender.

That should get you started. Keep us posted.

 

[b23]

Thanks for the advice so far, and sorry it was a bit late as I was typing - I believe it is the oil pressure gauge, not oil temp. It seems to read low pressure, from about 1/4-1/3 on the gauge. The coolant temp is 1/10th or below on the gauge.

Very possible someone took the thermostat out if that is a "hot climate fix" - as I do live in a very hot climate.

How do you recommend using the ATF or diesel to clean it out? I have heard to fill it to the brim with diesel and let it soak a day or two, or with ATF I heard you add a little and drive it. I have also read reports that under no circumstance you can drive it with ATF in it (Its obvious to me you cant drive it with diesel in it like that so I wont be trying that). I am also reading a lot about Auto RX, will be stopping at a parts store later to see if they have any of that.

Got this truck for work and would like to start using it ASAP. But dont want to ruin the engine in my haste. Looks like I will be using the Tahoe for today, but I hope to get the Mazda on the road as soon as possible.