abuttino

So, I think I finally solved the EGR port problem and I am trying to make sure this van runs for another 30-80K miles.

When the engine idles and the oil is pretty hot, the oil lamp (idiot light) on the dash flickers and is sometimes steady, but you can feel the engine doing it's thing while the oil light flickers.

I notice this mostly in gear at idle with the A/C on. The compressor shifts on and the idle will go down a tad bit and the oil lamp will be steady.

Also, I have noticed that the engine has a rough sounding idle at that point and think that the oil is just not getting to where it needs to go fast enough.

So, with all this being said, do you think it's time for a new oil pump?

Or, should I check the return in the oil pan?

By the way:
Compression tests all revealed the cylinders between 150-160 PSI

Bert

I would say to get a gauge to test what the oil pressure is. It could just be a bad switch. How many miles do you have on it? If the oil has been changed often, it should go well over 200,00 miles. I bought an E150 that would lose oil pressure after a short time at highway speeds, it had a gauge. The oil pickup screen in the oil pan was almost plugged. I cleaned it and went another 30,00 miles.

abuttino

159000.

After seeing what I have to go through to take the oil pan off, I might have to get some help.

Starter, Torque converter cover, dropping the exhaust.

Any words about this? I looked on the autozone website that showed me how to do the upper intake manifold removal and removal of the oil pan seems to be another difficult process. Especially under a car.. I guess the good thing is, no parts to drop!

Bert

I'd say to check the oil pressure first. Those sending units go out often. They're only about $5, so you could just replace it and see if it fixes it.

abuttino

I have been trying to search on the google, but can't find a way to check the pressure, any advice?

jwko

Agree with rtg. Verify the pressure is running low then worry about dropping the pan. If pressure is low, could be (probably is) worn bearings.

jwko

Buy a mechanical gauge, remove the oil sending unit, install mechanical gauge tubing in the same hole.

abuttino

Worn bearings in what exactly?? (Excuse my ignorance)

Because I believe that is the sound I am hearing.

jwko

When an engine gets on up into miles, especially extended periods between oil changes, you will develop wear (excessive clearance) at the main & rod bearings. You have oil passages at these bearings to provide lubrication. As time goes by, the wear on the bearings will result in the oil pressure to be lost at these locations causing low oil pressure to the rest of the engine.

I hope you understand what I'm trying to say, I've got the flu and not functioning too well.

jwko

Here's a nice article Troubleshoot Low Oil Pressure