Problems, problems, problems
I am new to this forum but any help would be greatly appreciated

Problem #1
Lost oil pressure completely so I put a new oil pump and pick up tube on my 1990 E150 Van with a 5.8L just about 1 month ago along with new valve cover gaskets. While I had the valve cover gaskets off I cleaned up some deposits around the rocker arms, and tried to clear drains. My engine has 172000 miles. When I started it back up one of the lifters wouldn't stop ticking for the longest time but eventually stopped and ran very good again with good oil pressure.

I thought everything was ok until yesterday I noticed the pressure drop to the bottom of my oil gauge everytime I stopped at a light and idled and when I give it gas I regained oil pressure. It has been about 1000 miles since the new pump was installed so I went home and changed the oil and filter last night. The filter seemed heavy when I took it off. I have always ran Havoline 10w40 in this van. Drove the van 25 miles this morning and the pressure stayed good. On the way home this afternoon it dropped again only when hot and idling. As long as I accelerate the pressure would come up well into the normal range.

Problem #2
Now to add to the list, I had to cut it off at a stop on my way home and it wouldn't start back. It tried at first but ran very rough then just turned over and over like there was no fire. It finally cranked about 45 minutes later and I drove it 20 miles on home. Turned it off after noticing the oil pessure drop. Tried to start it back and it wouldn't crank back again. Went in the house for a while and when I went back out and tried it it cranked fine and ran good. Oil pressure came up so I let it run until it reached full operating temperature and never lost oil pressure? So now when the engine gets hot and you cut it off it want start back . If you wait a while it will. Runs good as long as you don't cut it off.

Any suggestions or diagnosis. Can these 2 problems relate to each other in any way? Thanks sincerely


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Tim Barwick

 

Im not being sarcastic but did you check the Spark plugs?? spark plug wires, distributor etc?

If you have a normal oil guage it should flucuate and go on low when your idling and raise when you give it some gas. But our vans have an idiot light so if its moving something is wrong..

yes i believe problem 2 can relate to problem 1. For example if the PCM senses low oil pressure the fuel injectors will shut off. So thats prolly what its doing to "save" your engine from failure. If you ask me i think it is your oil sender unit thats giving false reading.

 

I checked the plugs ,wires, distributor, etc. I replaced the ignition module. Now it want crank at all. I put back the old ignition module and it still want crank. Any suggestions?

 

I am not so sure that problem one is related to problem 2. I have lost pressure on mine the exact same way you described...i changed my oil and the filter felt heavy as well. I ran some Marvel Mystery oil after that for about a thousand miles. Even with the oil change its posibble there is a lot of sludge and stuff in the engine that keeps clogging the filter. I never had the problem with starrting though...other possibilities would be oil screen clogged. I to had a lifter noise for a period of time after the problem. I kept changing the oil frequently to help keep it cleaned out...now I am back on schedule.

its a good idea to install a mechanical gauge under the hood (idea i got from BlueOvalFitter) just put a t fitting in at the sending unit and hook em both up. sending units do fail...but most cases I have seen they just stop....I usually have never seen one give a false reading like bouncing...but who knows I am told its basically an electrical switch.

as far as the thing not starting I dont know....but I would definantly check the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge.