Oil System Issues

[BlueChariot]

The oil light on my Ranger has gone on and off the past 3 days. I'm not that knowledgable on trouble shooting oil-related problems besides changing it and checking it. The temp gauges have all been reading normal, and its deffinitely not low. Last change was just under 1K miles ago.

Also, response from the engine has a slightly different "feel" to it. It's one of those things you can't describe, although it might just be in my head.

 

[adfav1]

a possibilty is your cam synchronizer.there are a lot of posts on the 3.o synchro. it drives your oil pump and it controls your fuel injector timing.it is on the back of the intake,a black cap with a wire connector going to it on the passenger side.if you are not comfortable checking it have someone pull it to check the gear,most likely the gear is worn.it has to be marked and put back in exactly the same position for timing reasons though.

 

[Earl43P]

^^Although his advice is valid, I think you should go after the other likely candidate first:

The oil pressure sender.

It is a <$20 part, located on the block, just below the aft side of the passenger cylinder head (you'll need a mirror to see between the engine and firewall).

You can test oil pressure at the port it gets screwed into.

That sender is a switch. If oil pressure drops below 8 psi, the Check Gage light comes on and the pressure needle drops from midscale to zero. They are a common failure item.

 

[hondaxr650]

Check to see if your engine has a low oil level sensor in the side of the oil pan. If it does, that's probably the issue. Unplug it and see what happens. They go bad all the time.

 

[BlueChariot]

Update- I've heard from my cousin (who usually works on our vehicles if it's something like this) suggest the switch, and my main fear is it being the oil pump which I can't find for less than 60 bucks.

This morning it seems to have developed a small leak (there is a small spot of leaked oi beneath it but no visible drip upon my first inspection)

Also something I forgot to mention is the belt drive started giving off a small squeeking noise, not extremely loud tho.

Edit- wedged myself between the front bumper and the driveway and found where the dripping came from-

 

[locovaca]

a possibilty is your cam synchronizer.there are a lot of posts on the 3.o synchro. it drives your oil pump and it controls your fuel injector timing.it is on the back of the intake,a black cap with a wire connector going to it on the passenger side.if you are not comfortable checking it have someone pull it to check the gear,most likely the gear is worn.it has to be marked and put back in exactly the same position for timing reasons though.

A 93 has a Dizzy, no Cam Syncro