Take a wild guess!
 

I posted this once already, but no one is replying, even though it's been viewed about 20 times. Could somebody at least give me a cvlue about what the oil pressure guage is all about? Right now I'm afraid to even drive the truck until I find out if the camshaft s the same as the bearing hang...
I was looking for advice on what's going on with my 94 Ranger. I read the thread about the camshaft and engine seizing because oil wasn't getting to it. I don't know much about this stuff so I can't really tell if what was being described in that thread is like what I'm worried about.

I'm wondering where the Pressure Guage needle is SUPPOSE to be? It's a pretty large area that's marked "Normal" and I can't remember if the needle use to sit in the center or not but I noticed a week ago 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 than 1/4").

It doesn't seem to be burning or leaking oil but it kind of gets a faint burning oil smell (or some kind of faint heat smell) after I turn the engine off. I had the oil changed 2 months ago and it hasn't used any.

When I first got the truck a few months ago we thought there was a problem with the rear end but a mechanic discovered it was the HANGER BEARING (but I don't know what that is so I don't know if that has anything to do with the camshaft or not). The mechanic replaced the hanger bearing with one that works OK but it's not actually the exact part it should be (which would have cost a lot more) so it causes a fairly strong vibration when going between 35 and 45 mph, althoug the vibration was lessened a lot when I put 280 pounds of bagged sand over the rear axel for traction, for the winter. Hoping someone will tell me not to worry about the camshaft- that the problem is less serious. And if so, any guesses why the guage runs low and I get the faint smell of burning oil (or overheated something). Thanks!

Re: Take a wild guess!
 

Mine always hangs out dead center. I don't burn oil either and mine is old!

Re: Take a wild guess!
 

Well that slight burning smell when u turn car off could be a bad valve cover gasket,that's what is was on my focus I had the same problem, cost 30 bucks for new one, and as for the temp guage needle, idk about that but it might be ur thermostat

Re: Take a wild guess!
 

The oil gauge is just an idiot light...in other words, it will stay in the middle unless the pressure drops below 8 psi I think and then go to zero...not one of Fords better ideas...

older Rangers can mod theirs to be an actual working fluctuating pressure gauge.

DUMMY GAUGE

Oil Gauge mod

Re: Take a wild guess!
 

Agreed, if it has a reading you probably fine. I'm guessing the spring is getting worn out on the gauge. I would just watch the oil light. Verify it works by turning the ignition to ACC.

As for the hanger bearing. It is a bearing on the drive shaft (shaft going from transmission to rear end housing), not in the engine at all. I don't know what the vibration is like so I don't know if its ok. If it is too sever you might end up with rear end or tranny problems. Hope this helps.

Re: Take a wild guess!
 

just go by an oil sending unit for 40 and see if thae fixes it. if it dont then quit driving it becasue i quit driving mine over that and replaced it now its fine

Re: Take a wild guess!
 

The oil pressure gauge on these Rangers is basically an idiot light, if it reads over about 7 psi it will read normal on the dash. Replace it with an aftermarket Sunpro if you want to know for sure what pressure you're making.

The vibration from your driveshaft probably means it wasn't put back together the same way it came apart. The only fix I have found is to have it balanced. When the driveshaft is disassembled, it should be marked so it stays balanced. Not all shops bother but they don't have to drive it after.

Re: Take a wild guess!
 

Hanger bearing????????? Do you mean carrier bearing? A bad carrier bearing will cause a bad driveline vibration but it is not in the rear end it is on the drive shaft. If that was the part that was bad I would be curious as to why they could not get the right part and what kind of mechanic would have put the part on knowing it was the wrong one...

Re: Take a wild guess!
 

I'm pretty sure "bearing hanger" is what he called it. He suggested using the "wrong" part only cause he's a good guy and knows I'm strapped for money. The one that was available cheap was about $75. Sending for the right onbe was almost $300. So I am the one who decided on the wrong part which causes the vibration - but I shluld mention it's not a severe vibration, was lessened when I put 4 winter sandbags over the axle, and only vibrates between about 40 mph and 50 mph. I trust the mechanic a LOT and he said it shouldn;t cause any other problems. The only reason I mentioned it in this thread is I wonder if the faint burning smell is related to it.

Re: Take a wild guess!
 

I checked the oil light like VRod suggested but I'm not sure if it's working or not. When I turn the key to Access only the Check Engine and other light come on - NOT the oil light, but when I START the engine all three lights flash on for a second.