Early 2004 HPOP problem

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May 1, 2015 | 03:39 PM

Auburn-F250

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Early 2004 HPOP problem

Hi all. Brand new to the forum. I have an early 2004 F250 6.0 and recently began having issues where the oil pressure indicator would drop to nothing at idle. It was fine when I rev'd it to about 1000 RPM but as soon as it dropped below that the needle would zero out. Likewise, the next morning the truck took a really long time to crank.

With those symptoms, I figured it was a problem with the HPOP based on threads I had read. I decided to go after the HPOP hoping to find a clear problem. I was able to get to the pump today and when I pulled it, I immediately noticed that the little metal ball was gone on the driver's side of the pump. I had read that this was a very common issue on these pumps. So I'm assuming this is the culprit to my problem.

I have 2 questions for the forum:

1. Do I have to replace the entire HPOP? I read a thread that said I could simply tap the hole and plug it (no need to replace the entire pump). Thoughts on this? It sure would be nice to fix this without dropping $600-700 for a new pump...

2. Now I guess I have to find the missing ball. Of course no luck finding it where the pump was located. I'm guessing it made its way down to the oil pan. Do I just need to drain the oil and pull the pan? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

May 1, 2015 | 05:44 PM

dannyboy950

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If it is in the pan sometimes dragging a magnet across the bottom of the pan you can work the ball out the drain hole.
I have tapped a number of pumps and heard of many others doing it also.

May 1, 2015 | 07:20 PM

Auburn-F250

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Thanks dannyboy950. I'll try that route. So based on your reply, a question I was going to ask, the ball is small enough to fit thru the drain hole?

May 1, 2015 | 07:38 PM

cheezit

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From: N. Fort Worth, tx

Tap the hole.
The ball should be just fine sitting in the pan. Its heavy and wont float in the oil. Its also to big to get sucked into the screen.
The hole where the drain plug is has a raised bung on the inside.
If it bothers you stick a rare earth magnet to your oil pan

May 2, 2015 | 12:33 PM

05F250DSL

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If you are referring to the oil Guage on the dash if does not read hpop. It reads low pressure oil system. behind the harmonic balancer is the oil psi regulator. It has a allen head on it. Remove that and make sure it is free moving and clean. There is a spring in there so be careful when you remove the end. If you are referring to an a/m Guage you have nevermind what i said. But the missing ball is an problem.

May 3, 2015 | 10:49 AM

Tampa250

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From: Tampa, FL

Guys, just for my own general knowledge here- if that check ball is missing on a HPOP that isn't doing its job, tapping and plugging that hole is all that needs to be done to fix it? Is this the sole cause of failure on the pump? I ask because the HPOP on my early '04 started getting very weak recently and I had the pump replaced. Too late now, but I'm curious if the pump completely failed or if this was my issue. My truck has about 150k on it.

May 3, 2015 | 10:54 AM

BLADE35

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From: Saratoga Springs,UT

It will work to tap the pump if only the ball blew out follow cheezit advice

If there weak then internals is jacked up or case spins

There's some info on it in my thread