[tangsoodn]

I’m working on a 94 Escort GT that had been sitting for about 5 yrs, only starting it occasionally. Decided to fix it up get it running and back on the road, and give it too my son. Engine seems pretty tight, has some lifter noise that comes and goes (of course low oil pressure could cause that). Doesn’t leak or burn oil. Has about 120k miles on engine. After a couple hundred miles (since put back on road), the oil light started to come on intermittently. We replaced the oil, filter, and oil pressure switch to rule it out. Checked the wiring to the oil light and ruled it out (i.e., no shorts to ground). Removed the oil pan and checked oil pickup tube screen. There wasn’t any sludge build up. It looked pretty clean. The oil pan is also fairly clean, no sludge, and only a very small amount of fine metal filings in bottom of oil pan. Am pretty sure engine is fine.

I’m thinking that it must be the oil pump, though in all the years I’ve worked on cars, I’ve never had to replace an oil pump. The last thing I want to do is replace it and find that it doesn’t take care of it. With 120k, the timing belt should probably be replaced (if original)

Any Ideas? Are there any other gaskets or seals that could have failed? Head gasket should be fine (i.e., oil and water clean, no smoke).

Thanks,

 

[FordMan59]

I suggest you hook up an oil pressure gauge to it and see what the pressure looks like. I'm driving an '88 Escort with 497K miles with the original engine and has never been rebuilt or had a new oil pump. It could also be a bad oil pressure sending unit.

 

[88scortgt]

Is it posible for the pressure relief valve in the oil pump to be stuck open, or maybe the pressure spring is broken or weak and will not let the pressure build up?
I agree with FordMan59, put a gauge on it so you know what pressure you are running.
Ford specs the pressure at 28-43 psi @ 1,000 rpm, and 43-57 psi @ 3,000 rpm.

 

[tangsoodn]

Thanks for the replies.

Actually the first thing I did was replace the oil sending unit. I suppose it's not out of the question that the new oil sending unit could be bad too. I have the oil pan off at the moment, but could throw it back on quick to test with a gauge. Don' t have one but I'm always game for expanding my gear.

I've also read on another forum about the pressure relief valve in the pump could fail, so it was good to get a reply regarding it. That would seem more probable to me than impeller wear.

I'll do the pressure test and go from there. Will post what I find.