Still having problems....

[sweetwaterbroncoII]

Thanks wicked...I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[country0001]

from my understanding, the 2.9's are notorious for this problem. I'm relatively new to the BroncoII scene also. My mechanic has one n his 86 ext cab Ranger and said if u keep the oil changed regularly, it won't lose power. I'm not sure. I've had mine for 2 months now and it was ticking when I bought it. Doesn't bother me too much. Doesn't seem to lose power either. I'm just going to drive it till it blows and put something bigger in. Why spend money on something that's going to die anyway.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

because fixing an engine thats already in the vehicle is still much, much easier than swapping in "something bigger". and most of us have no need for "something bigger" and enjoy the fuel economy of our smaller 6's.

ticking from the valvetrane that is either constant or only present when cold is usually a sign of worn pushrods or rocker arms. its not usually accompanied by a loss of power and it isnt usually intermittant. the issue sweet is having isnt typical of the 2.9/4.0 engine familly...something else is amiss.

 

[sweetwaterbroncoII]

Hey wicked...I put in the manual oil pressure gauge....At idle after running for 5 mins or so its showing 18-20 psi....in 5th gear at 2800 rpm its showing 38-42 psi....is that within normal range?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

sounds normal so far, but 5 minutes of idling isnt enough to get the oil up to operating temp.

im anxious to see what the gauge reads while the problem is actually occuring.

 

[sweetwaterbroncoII]

So am I... I will know on Monday...Thats the next long trip I will take in it....I'll let you know.

 

[sweetwaterbroncoII]

When I removed the oil sending unit, it was gunked up with sludge...I flushed the engine yesterday, but I bet it is still gunked up....I am willing to bet that is causung my problem....

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

doesnt sound very promising does it...

keep us posted.

 

[sweetwaterbroncoII]

Ok I drove my BII for around an hour today....there was no ticking noise or loss of power....when I pulled into my driveway, the oil pressure was 8-10 psi at idle.....in 4th at 2000 rpm it is between 32-38 psi.....I still think the returns in the heads are stopped up.

 

[dennis461]

Stop guessing

Ok I drove my BII for around an hour today....there was no ticking noise or loss of power....when I pulled into my driveway, the oil pressure was 8-10 psi at idle.....in 4th at 2000 rpm it is between 32-38 psi.....I still think the returns in the heads are stopped up.

IMHO
Stop guessing, pull one of the valve covers off and look for the holes.
The only way to know for sure.

Clean em out if they are clogged.
We had a MGB with a four cylinder that had this happen (clogged up).
When the oil level was low, it took a long time for a fresh quart of oil to make a difference on the dipstick.

More likely the piston rings are worn out or damaged from sitting too long (junk yard engine).
After running a while, the "blow by" dilutes the oil with unburned gas (small amount, but it will get by), the blow by heats the oil too, and pressure drops off.
.
Remember, you get what you pay for.
I had a friend put in a new long block once in a Blazer and paid over $3000 total.
A junk yard engine at the price you paid may only get you a years more riding.
Anyhow, good luck with it.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

until we know what the pressure is while the symptom is occuring, we still havnt ruled anything out. keep driving it and let us know.

 

[sweetwaterbroncoII]

Is the oil pressure too low?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

no, your still within specs.

 

[sweetwaterbroncoII]

dennis461...alot of us don't have $3000 to spend on an engine....I have 3 children to raise!

 

[fordmandan87]

for sludge put one qt of deisel and 4qts of 20w50 run for 5min with new oil filter(a good one) dont touch throttle at all drain oil and fill with oil of your choice and replace filter otherwise your pullin apart the engine