Flickering Oil Light

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Apr 18, 2002 | 05:25 PM

greenchicken

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Joined: Apr 2002

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Flickering Oil Light

Ok here's the deal and I hope someone can guide me.

Ok I have an 88 B2 4WD XLT
112,000 Miles

Problem
This morning I started her up and heard the valves clicking
turned it off restarted and no more chattering

Drove halfway to work valves start the chatter lightly again, pull the truck over and check oil (half qt low)

restart no noise

go to work put in reverse and oil light flickers (now I am worried)

Drive home from work after adding a half qt and getting off the highway oil light flickers again.
No Noise

Oil Pump?
Or
Oil Sending Unit?

Truck has an idiot light no guages

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

GC

Apr 18, 2002 | 07:38 PM

steve_

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Joined: Nov 2001

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Flickering Oil Light

id put money on oil pump or one of the parts associated to the pump my 88 b2 did the same thing when i first bought it it ran fine when i first started it but under a heavy load it started to clatter and the light came on i took it to my mechanic and he replace the oil pump wethere or not the pump itself was shot is in question but the pickup screen was 90% cloged according to the haynes manual its not that big of a job to do if you have the right tools the trick is to get the motor up high enuf to remove the oil pan which iwas unable to do with a jack and wooden blocks even though thats the way the book says to do it. im my opinion if it were just the light coming on id say its a sensor but the clatter you describe tells me its time for a pump
goodluck with it
Steve

Apr 18, 2002 | 08:53 PM

greenchicken

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Flickering Oil Light

So how much is a reasonable amount to pay to have this procedure done?

Parts/ Labor

In your opinion of course

Thanks

GC

Apr 19, 2002 | 11:54 AM

gatorman41

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Joined: Mar 2002

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Flickering Oil Light

The oil pump replacement is a pain. You have to remove the oil pan. To do so, you have to jack up the engine and place blocks under the engine mounts. I am currently in the process of doing the same thing. This is my second time to do so on my 86 B2. After reaching in and unbolting torex bols on the pump, you have to unbolt a protective plate that blocks the pan from comming off. I can't remember where the bolts are and can not see them.

I worked on it for some 4 hours and gave up for the day. I brought in an engine hoist and will probably pull my engine as I have larger issues than just getting the pan off.

How much to pay? I don't know, but it is involved. The dist. must be removed along with the fan shroud, I believe the radiator hoses and thus the coolant drained, etc.

Note sure how much this helps. It is a good idea to get a oil pressure gauge so you know what your pressure is instead of using the idiot light. I believe I read the light does not come on unless the pressure is less than 6#s. You can be running with low pressure and not know it.