Oil Pressure / Oil Pump Question

[poet66]

Driving my 99 Ranger 3.0 automatic at about 65 mph when I see a light come on the dash (check guage). Look over and oil pressure is zero. I pull over and turn off the engine. No noises, no smoke, seemed to be running fine when I pulled over. I checked the oil level and it was right on the full mark. After checking the oil I cranked the truck and let it run for 1-2 seconds. Making noise now, not terrible but very noticeable. I assume my oil pump went out.

1. Does that sound like the oil pump?
2. Would my best course of action, considering I'm not made of money, be to replace the oil pump and hope for the best?
3. Instruction in my Hayne's manual say to remove the passenger side beam axle. My truck looks to have a different from suspension setup. Do I have to remove anything other than the motor mounts and lifting the engine to remove the oil pan?
4. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bob Ayers]

Chances are that the cam position synchronizer went out. This drives the oil pump, and cam position sensor, and is located where you would expect a distributer to be in the back of the engine.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

Chances are that the cam position synchronizer went out. This drives the oil pump, and cam position sensor, and is located where you would expect a distributer to be in the back of the engine.

+1

Check the camshaft position synchro. If it looks good, which chances are in your case it isn't, then its time for a new oil pump.

 

[poet66]

Thanks for the replies

Actually I had that replaced about 3 months ago. It was making a chirping sound. The guy showed me the old one. When you turned it by hand you could hear the noise. Is there a shaft that goes from the bottom of that (where the gear is) to the oil pump?

 

[Bob Ayers]

Actually I had that replaced about 3 months ago. It was making a chirping sound. The guy showed me the old one. When you turned it by hand you could hear the noise. Is there a shaft that goes from the bottom of that (where the gear is) to the oil pump?

Exactly!! You need to see if the bolt that holds it has come loose, if it was recently replaced.

 

[poet66]

Update

Still bolted in place. I removed the sensor and I could move the little piece that sticks up with my finger. Took the synchronizer out and the pin holding the gear onto the shaft had broken. So the gear was turning but the shaft wasn't. I have the new part but now I need some help. I can pull the plugs and feel for compression on no 1 cyl. I located the tdc mark on the crankshaft pulley but I can't find a pointer to line it up with. Can anyone tell me where it should be. A picture would be great! Thanks to everyone for the advice.