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Old 03-09-2010, 01:07 PM
michael michael is offline
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Default Oil Pressure Guage, Pump & Faint burning smell

I posted this last week but no one answered. Would some of you who know a lot more about engines than me (which is zero) toss out your thoughts. After reading one of the threads somebody else posted about oil not getting to the engine I started worrying and have stopped driving my 94 Ranger (automatic), although it's had the slight burning smell I mentioned for months, I think.

I read the thread about the camshaft and engine seizing because oil wasn't getting to it.

I'm wondering where the Pressure Guage needle is SUPPOSE to be? I can't remember if the needle use to sit in the center or not but I notice that it is sitting close to the LOW side of where the "Normal" range ends - I mean it is about 1/4 of an inch from the end of the normal range (sometimes a little less). It doesn't seem to be burning or leaking oil but I notice a faint burnt smell (or some kind of faint heat smell) after I turn the engine off and get out of the truck. I had the oil changed 2 months ago and it hasn't used any.

Any suggestions about what oil pressure is and how to know if the oil pump is bad would be really appreciated. Basically, can the engine be damaged even though the guage is still in the low end normal range and what do you guess a rebuilt oil pump is going to run, with labor? Thanks.
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Old 03-09-2010, 01:18 PM
dos0711 dos0711 is offline
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Default Re: Oil Pressure Guage, Pump & Faint burning smell

You got lots of responses last thread...are you trying to find someone to do the work too?
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Old 03-09-2010, 02:45 PM
Psychopete Psychopete is offline
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Default Re: Oil Pressure Guage, Pump & Faint burning smell

Quote:
Originally Posted by michael View Post
I'm wondering where the Pressure Guage needle is SUPPOSE to be?

rebuilt oil pump is going to run, with labor?
The problem is that most oil pressure gauges are just dummies, and really don't show you any solid information on your oil pressure. The best way to get an idea if your pressure is too low is to hook up a mechanical gauge and measure it that way as you'll actually have some numbers indicating whether it's in spec.

And if it's low doesn't automatically rule the oil pump. Pressure is a measure of resistance and it could be signs of a worn out engine.

Oil pumps are cheap enough to buy, but the labor is going to be a lot to have it replaced. If you have the money to have a shop go through this process, might have them diagnose so that you don't make the wrong diagnosis and spend the cash on that. The problem is that the pan cannot come out because of cross member clearance with out jacking the engine up really high or removing it entirely depending on who is doing the work.

Pete
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Old 03-09-2010, 02:49 PM
michael michael is offline
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Default Re: Oil Pressure Guage, Pump & Faint burning smell

Thanks for that info Pete, and thanks Dave for the wake-up call... to be honest I forgot I made the re-post (that got all the replies). I'm about as dumb as my oil guage.
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