Okay, I posted a couple of days ago inquiring about a shudder in the bronco at lower speeds. I left another symptom out of the last post. It is shaking while sitting at idle as well (it has never done this b4). I have done some research in this forum and found that there are a couple of things it could be. The first thing I will check is to make sure that the engine isn't missing on a cylinder. The plugs and wires are less than a year old but the cap and rotor could use a swap. Second is the infamous torque converter shudder. If that is the problem that is fine as the tranny was just rebuilt within the last year and is still under warranty through the ford dealership. I had a new symptom pop up in the last few days. After the truck warms up, If I step on the gas I lose oil pressure completely and the engine light comes on. If I pull over and shut the truck off and them restart it immediately, the oil pressure is fine. That scares me. The engine is a rebuilt with less than 8k on it. Last time I had issues with oil pressure the pump had gone bad and ending up taking the main bearings with it. Is it possible that the shudder and the oil pressure are linked? I can't really tie them together but maybe one of you can. Please advise if you can.

KJ

 

shudder could be a timing issue as well so check that should be set at 10*btdc with spout disconnected.
Tranny issue. is it low in fluid . it must be checked while engine is running . might be due for a flush and filter change.
oil pressure issue: hook up a mechanical gauge, stock one is faulty. then see where you are really at. if it continues you either have a bad pump, not enough oil or a clogged pickuptube. .
let us know
late

 

I will look into the timing issue. The tranny has never leaked fluid and was rebuilt last summer so fluid level shouldn't be an issue. I will double check it though just to be sure. I just changed the oil last night and it was dark but no metal, water etc. It looked like it needed to be changed but other than that there was nothing alarming to it. I know that oil level isn't the problem. If the pickup tube was clogged would the oil pressure go back to normal after shutting the truck off and immediately turning it back on? I will go and get a new oil pressure gauge. That has been on my list for quite some time but it has just become a priority. If that oil pump is bad I will put a bullet through the block before I will fight that oil pan off again. That was the biggest headache of my life. Come to find when I was finished that it was already too late. I have run Mobile 1 synthetic since the engine was originally broken in. Could that have anything to do with it?

KJ

 

what was the motor broke in with . running synthetics now is fine just not for the break in process. when the oil pressure goes down do you hear any knocking?? those ford gauges/sending units suck. they are idiot lights basicly. get the mechanical gauge throw it on an A pilar pod and away you go. as for the tranny take it back then and havethem check it out.

late

 

I broke the engine in with run of the mill oil. Added the Mobile 1 after the break in process was complete. I haven't heard any knocking when the pressure drops but I don't take any chances either. I shut the bitch off and restart it. then the pressure is fine.

KJ

 

yep sounds like bad gauge or sender unit.

 

could be just a bad wire connection on the oil pressure sending unit or a bad ground to the engine block.

 

I bought a new oil pressure gauge, cap and rotor. I checked all the connections from wires to plugs to coil. Everything looked good. I also checked tranny fluid level and that looked good too. I was also changing out a wheel cylinder last night and ran out of time so I didn't get a chance to take her out for a drive. I am probably going to take it to the Ford dealer just to be sure that the tranny isn't suspect. The warranty on the rebuild through ford expires in 2 weeks so I better get it in there next week. I will post later if it stops raining and I can get that drum put back together.

KJ