What on Earth is going on here?!?

[rdsrds123]

'92 Ranger with 2.3 and automatic transmission. True mileage is unknown.

So, I'm minding my own business driving down Rt 95 from
Baltimore to Washington this evening, and suddenly I realize that my engine is chattering like crazy. I have pre-ignition problems, but I realized that was not the noise (I have pre-ignition, and this valve chattering now, together.). I looked at my 0il pressure gauge, and it read no pressure at all. I think my hydraulic lifters have lost all their pressure, and that chattering is the noise I hear. I must have actual oil pressure, because I continued driving about 35 miles. I turned around and drove back home just fine. In that distance, there was no change in engine noise or performance, but the gauge still reads zero. It runs fine. I have plenty of oil in the engine.

In the last few weeks, I have noticed that the oil pressure gauge flickered a number of times while driving. Wiped cam? The oil pump runs off an auxiliary shaft driven by the timing belt, I think.

Can't imagine what's the problem...

 

[adsm08]

Bad cam or cam bearings could do it. So could a bad oil pump. Or bad mains.

Check actual oil pressure, don't just assume that you have it because the engine kept running. No matter the results of the test I would remove the oil filter, cut it open, and look for pieces of metal in the filter media.

 

[rdsrds123]

Say it ain't so. Supposed to have but 93k miles. Can't figure why it would come on so suddenly. Only the top half of the engine. Engine runs smooth. Just chatters like crazy. plugged oil gallery at the pressure sender?

 

[rdsrds123]

Does is sound like a worn out engine?

 

[Mark_88]

Mine chattered a few times...but also lost power and stalled out. I was pretty low on oil so it could be the oil pump.

I also accidentally tested my oil pump one day. I put some oil in the truck and forgot to put the oil cap back on...oil sprayed out of the top pretty good...so that is one way to test that aspect...although a bit messy...if you don't get oil sprayed all over the inside of the hood doing that then I'd suspect an oil pump issue.

Doesn't really matter about the mileage sometimes...but you'd expect an oil pump to last as long as other internal parts, and these engines can go several hundred thousand miles...more if you take real good care of them.

I've used additives like Lucas in mine for years and they do seem to help...especially as they age...and they also help to keep them quiet if there is no other mechanical issues.

 

[RonD]

Oil Pressure Gauge goes to 0 when pressure is below 6psi.

Oil pressure is Back Pressure.
Oil pump provides the flow of oil thru the filter, bearings provide the pressure.
Smaller bearing gaps(new bearings) means higher pressure, as they get older(more miles) gaps get bigger, pressure goes down.
A larger gap in just one bearing lowers pressure in the whole system.

Because of gravity, and the longer path to the top of the engine, lower pressure is first noticed as valve train noise.

I would change the filter before driving it again, there is suppose to be a valve that by-pass's filter if it gets clogged but..........just change filter.

Your pressure is low, valve train noise tells you that.

 

[rdsrds123]

changing the filter

Thanks everyone. What would cause the flickering of the oil pressure needle? It did this briefly, several times. Once, while under heavy load going up a mountain.

 

[rdsrds123]

Maybe a plugged pick up screen?

 

[Road Angels]

my 91 2.3 mustang had a plugged screen for the neoperen pan gasket rotteng away on the in side enge or pan also may be a stuck open oil pump bypass valve on the pump

 

[rdsrds123]

Thanks!

I just posted about this problem again in the 4 banger forum below.

This engine uses 1 qt of oil in 2000 miles. I just don't think it's worn out. Looking at an oil pump problem or pick up tube problem. Maybe a galley plug issue...It was changed in 93, cuz of lower engine knock and loss of pressure problems...

 

[rdsrds123]

In for a dime, in for a dollar...

Ok, I just ordered an oil pump and oil pan gasket from Rock Auto Parts. I already have the new parts to change the timing belt, so this questionable engine is going to get a new belt, too...and a serpentine belt and tensioner. Have them both.

Game plan: r and r the oil pump and check for debris and an open relief valve. Rod out any galleys I can find. Remove oil pan and check pick up screen.

 

[rdsrds123]

The jury is now IN

I put some engine flush in and washed it around for about ten minutes and drained it out. Nothing! I dissected the oil filter and found some pan gasket fragments. Bingo! Roached engine. Plugged pick up screen. The chattering valves is, as one person here on the Forum declared, spun bearings.

I toured three junkyards today for a 2.3. Nada I did see a 92 2.3 with unknown, five digit odometer mileage, in the junkyard because it was totaled (didn't take much). I found teh old owner's name and number in the truck and will call him; he seems to have owned it for many years, maybe since new. I have a few CarFax VIN numbers checks left that I can run, and I will run this same 92 I saw today. I'm sure it will show that it's now in the junkyard. A way to determin a good engine from a bad one?

A friend has a 90 Ranger 2.3 he can sell me for $500, with a 5-speed. Time for an automatic to manual conversion, I'd say? I mean, I seem to have some choices here. I'm trying to keep this truck, but I just bought a 2009 Ranger 2.3. I pick it up in a few days. Woo-hoo!?!

Thanks everyone for holding my hand through this.

 

[RonD]

That's too bad.

I think Ford used some sealer on pan gaskets for a few years, it tended to come off inside the pan in chunks, block up the screen.