Pile o junk Ford!

[slabghost]

I have an 89 Ranger just bought recently. First trip out with it the valves started clattering and oil pressure guage went to zip,none ,nada. I haven't had time yet to get the oil changed. I added 1/2 a qt of ATF to the oil to hopefully get it cleaned enough to hold pressure for 3 miles to the oil change place. Is it possible that my problems are mostly a plugged oil filter?

 

[joedrum]

im sure thats a posibilty ....its pluged somewhere it sounds .....but if it holds pressure when cold and then plugs up ....it might be oil return problem ....or oil pic up or and almost plug up oil filter .....i hope its somthing easy.... :mrgreen:

 

[aslatk]

I have an 89 Ranger just bought recently. First trip out with it the valves started clattering and oil pressure guage went to zip,none ,nada. I haven't had time yet to get the oil changed. I added 1/2 a qt of ATF to the oil to hopefully get it cleaned enough to hold pressure for 3 miles to the oil change place. Is it possible that my problems are mostly a plugged oil filter?

If you have no oil pressure and the level is where it should be, don't drive it at all. Likely you'll need an oil pump at this point. if you drive it you'll likely need a new engine. It don't take long at all for engine damage to occur without pressure. Could it be an stuck open bypass at the oil filter housing but I would think that is very wishful thinking. I would say to verify the loss of oil pressure with another gauge, but your "on car" gauge and the noisy clattering lifters pretty much is telling the story.
Sorry

 

[slabghost]

I guess I'll try doing the oil change myself. I quit years ago because of the hassle getting rid of the old oil.

 

[aslatk]

im sure thats a posibilty ....its pluged somewhere it sounds .....but if it holds pressure when cold and then plugs up ....it might be oil return problem ....or oil pic up or and almost plug up oil filter .....i hope its somthing easy.... :mrgreen:

That's is a possibility but I would change the filter at home (if possible) and not drive it.

 

[aslatk]

I guess I'll try doing the oil change myself. I quit years ago because of the hassle getting rid of the old oil.

Most part stores will now take the old oil (recycle). Just don't mix it with any old coolant you have around. Then it becomes a hazardous waste and expensive to get rid of.

 

[slabghost]

Crawling under trucks was a lot easier 20 years ago. Oh well. I guess I'll give it a shot.

 

[joedrum]

yeah i hate crawling underneath cars and do something that going to fall in my face when i do it :builder: :rant: :rant: :whip: :builder: :rant: :mrgreen: have fun

 

[aslatk]

Anything other than changing the oil and oil filter should be done by a shop that you can trust, unless you have a good place to work, tools and like getting yourself real dirty. Just don't drive it any distance. it will make matters worst. Not a good way to start off a Sunday. Sorry I gotta go, I'll check back later to see what's up...what ya found.

 

[dan filipi]

I would go as cheap as possible on it to get oil pressure.
I would do like the guys say and change out the filter, I have had them clog and reduce pressure but never to the point of no oil pressure because there's a bypass built into either the filter or the engine to prevent that.
Lifter clatter makes it a safe bet the pressure actually is low.
Alot of engines are notorious for various problems like blowing head gaskets, intakes cracking, one I heard is known for a certain oil passage clogging.
Could be yours is known for a bad oil pump design.
Try a Google search on the engine size/ low oil pressure. Could get lucky and find a easy fix.

 

[aslatk]

I have an 89 Ranger just bought recently. First trip out with it the valves started clattering and oil pressure guage went to zip,none ,nada. I haven't had time yet to get the oil changed. I added 1/2 a qt of ATF to the oil to hopefully get it cleaned enough to hold pressure for 3 miles to the oil change place. Is it possible that my problems are mostly a plugged oil filter?

If you have no oil pressure and the level is where it should be, don't drive it at all. Likely you'll need an oil pump at this point. if you drive it you'll likely need a new engine. It don't take long at all for engine damage to occur without pressure. Could it be an stuck open bypass at the oil filter housing but I would think that is very wishful thinking. I would say to verify the loss of oil pressure with another gauge, but your "on car" gauge and the noisy clattering lifters pretty much is telling the story.
Sorry

I take back the "stuck open bypass being open" as a possible cause. That does allow the the oil to flow around the filter if plugged like Dan said :doh:

 

[AApple]

Most likely a low pressure issue. Depending on where the oil pressure sensor is on the engine, a clogged/restricted filter may either raise the pressure reading or lower it.
Chances are, the engine, or the oil pump, is just slap worn out. Check the bottom of the oil pan, and see if it is caved in. That would restrict the oil pump pickup tube, and cause a problem. The issue then is, how long has it been driven like this, and how much ancillary damage has been done?
I'd change the oil & filter, as everyone has suggested, but I would install a mechanical gauge temporarily before driving, to see what the pressure is actually doing. Rattling lifters don't always mean low oil pressure...it sometimes means the cam & lifters are worn out. Rattling, AND low oil pressure is not good, no matter how you look at it.... :swoon:
Good Luck with it, anyway. :beg:

 

[dan filipi]

I had a 350 Chevy that would drop oil pressure in a turn.
Turned out the oil pickup tube was installed wrong by the rebuilder which allowed it to creep up near the top of the oil level.

 

[scdmarx]

89 Ranger? That thing is still on the road? :smilie_happy:
You didn't mention what motor, but I'd agree with the drain back issue or the pump screen clogged. Especially if it's quiet at first, then starts making noise. Look for chunks of carbon that can't get through, or chunks of silicon from previous work done by someone with the "some is good-more is better" syndrome.
If the lifters clatter immediately after start up with 0 pressure, you might look for a broken oil pump drive shaft @ the distributor. I've seen them twist and break on Fords.
Engine bearings don't like anti freeze at all. If there is a milk shake in the crankcase and you lost oil pressure and the lifters clatter, just start looking for another motor.
I really doubt just changeing filter & oil is gonna cure this. But it's your call and doesn't cost much.

 

[detdrbuzzard]

i say put a 5.0 motor in it :grin:

 

[slabghost]

:clapping: Fresh oil and filter seems to have cured it for the most part. The pressure guage still fluctuates a bit at times.I'm hoping the return oil passages will clear and it will be fine for a while. Yes the old beast is still on the road. With gas prices going up I want the old 4 banger running. My Dakota has a 318 in it. Which was never known for economy. For now I'm celebrating.
:yahoo: :thanks:

 

[dan filipi]

Great!
Love when it's an easy fix.
Let's hope it lasts.

 

[slabghost]

I'm hoping! :beg: :mrgreen:

 

[BigAndrew]

89 Ranger? That thing is still on the road? :smilie_happy:

Thats Nothin... I drive an 81 F-150 :Egyptian:

Wal-Mart's tire center takes used oil as well, I haven't done it myself but i saw a sign up that said so :read:

 

[detdrbuzzard]

:clapping: Fresh oil and filter seems to have cured it for the most part. The pressure guage still fluctuates a bit at times.I'm hoping the return oil passages will clear and it will be fine for a while. Yes the old beast is still on the road. With gas prices going up I want the old 4 banger running. My Dakota has a 318 in it. Which was never known for economy. For now I'm celebrating.
:yahoo: :thanks:

the guage in most fords of that vintage are not oil pressure guages but oil level guages