OK, I just bought a 2.9 ranger 4x4, it needs alittle help. When it's first started the oil pressure gauge reads ok, after about 30 seconds it drops to 0. The guy I bought it from has the head gaskets or valve cover gaskets (can't remeber ) just replaced and this happened. So he sold it to me instead of fixing it.
My question is...is there a way to check oil pressure before tearing into the motor?

 

Find the oil pressure switch, replace it with a cheap
gauge, report your findings...

The factory guage is more of an idiot light than a gauge,
Even a cheep gauge is better...

 

OK I went to auto parts store, bought mechanical gauge, changed the oil and filter. Started it up, pressure up to 40 lbs. Then after about 30 sec. it started to drop, and continued to drop till about 5 lbs. and I stut it off. I tried it 3 or 4 times and each time same thing. Oil pump? Oil pressure relief valve? maybe something blocking oil pump screen? I dread the thought of lifting the motor...

 

Well I tried to flush the motor today with the motor flush by gunk. Didn't work...I talked with the guy I bought the truck from and the engine started acting up right after having the head gaskets replaced. Could it be the oil galleys plugged by the gaskets being put in wrong? Or maybe a gasket sealant plugged them? I think I'll pull the valve covers off first before tackling the oil pan...

 

Goodnight Irene, goodnight... I'll see you in my dreams.

That's the song that many bars play just before the end (of the night). Start singing LOL

It sounds to me like your cam and lifters are shot and it's not making any oil pressure after the oil warms a little bit and gets thinner due to the heat. Mine did the same thing, then it went snap/crackle/pop and the engine is now shot.

Best bet to fix it - sell it for parts while it's still running!

This is going to sound like a bandaide, but might work though others on here might tell you that I'm crazy - before mine went someone told me to put like 4 cans of engine oil treatment from STP in there. It's major thick - I did this with 20w50 engine oil and my pressure went way up and stayed that way until the day it died which was actually months later. Before, I couldn't drive it for 3 miles, after the thicker oil and STP I could drive it anywhere I wanted with good oil pressure - but the lifters will still tapping a like always.

Sell the thing and if you like Bronco II's like I do, find another one that's already running.

Mike

 

WELL IF YOU STILL HAVE THE TRUCK, FIRST FIND OUT FROM FORD WHAT IS THE MIN. OIL PRESS. REQUIRED FOR THIS ENG. THE OTHER THING IS DOES THE OIL PRESS COME UP FROM 5lbs WHILE YOU ARE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IF IT DOES IT IS PROBALLY NORMAL ENGINE WEAR. DONT USE STP, IT WILL GUM UP THE ENGINE. IF ANYTHING TRY A HEAVER WEIGHT OIL. IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY USING 10/30 OR 10/40 MAYBE TRY USING STRIGHT 40wt IF IT IS IN WARM WEATHER. WHEN IT GETS COLD YOU WOULD WANT TO GO BACK TO THE 10/30. IF YOU ARE USING PENZ. OIL CHANGE TO SOMETHING ELSE.

 

I lifted the motor and took the oil pan and pump out, they were both filled with sludge, it's been back together and running for a week, I've put 200+ miles on it. After engine warms up, it has 50-60 lbs. at highway speeds, 25-30 lbs. oil pressure at idle.

 

Just curious, what kind of oil filter was on it? And, if you would happen to know what kind of oil the previous owner had in it, I'd be interested to know that too. Thanks.

 

Had a fram filter on it, couldn't tell ya what oil though

 

Well the fram would explain the sludge. Thanks for the info!