Heya guys. Seems like my truck is falling apart these days. Everything is wearing out, lol. This time I'm trying to figure out if it's just my oil gauge or if it's the oil pump.

If my engine was not being properly lubricated, what symptoms would I experience, if any?


Thanks in advance folks

-Bill

 

Take out the electrical sensor and put in a mechanical one to test. Thats what I was taught.

 

it would chatter, run bad then freeze up.

 

Okay guys, thanks. I was trying to climb a hill without getting a run at it and my truck got really bad wheel hop, about beat me to peices. I'm hoping I merely broke the oil gauge needle thingy then. It was after that I noticed my needle was floppy. It does come and go though, that's what has me nervous. When I first start the engine the needle goes into it's correct position.

 

sounds like sensor may be bad.

or you shook something loose.

 

Thanks again quick.

I'm hoping I just shook something (unimportant) loose.

I think once I start working again and save up some money I'm really going to try and fix this truck up. She really needs a good going over. I feel bad because I'm neglecting her.

 

Try replacing the sending unit. Its cheap. You could also check to see the the connection there is good.

 

The sending unit looks good. Everything is in place, anyway.

Do any of you guys use that Oil additive "Motor Flush" by Gunk?

 

check with mechanical gauge before you do anything else.

something could be loose in the dash.

 

Would I be better off just installing an aftermarket gauge? I assume the gauge you're talking about is a temp just to see what my oil readings are?

How much is involved in connecting an aftermarket gauge (one that would stay in my cab) ? My dad has them in his Elky, but his car is carb'd; I don't know what I would have to do that's any different because of my electronics?

I know I sound like a real dumby. lol Thanks for your patience

 

Theres not much to installing a pressure guage, im not too sure as to where the sender is on the 6,But pretty much just unscrew the sender and hook the mechanical line into where the sender was. If u want to use both factory and mechanical guage ull need a t fitting and a lil piece of pipe.

 

Thanks deeznuts822. I'm going to look into it. I went outside and started the truck. The needle took a minute to jump to position. I heard a noise when it did so. I'm under the impression the noise I heard was the oil actually flowing. This is a bad sign to me because this mean I don't have just a floppy needle. I need this truck on the road right now. Even today I have a 70 mile (give or take) round-trip to tackle.

 

Do not use any of those engine flushes. Just like the transmission flushes, its not a good idea for a high mileage vehicle.

If you want you can change the oil and run it for a short while and then change it again. That will clean it out some.

 

The mechanical OP gauge is a good idea , i would take a look under the valve cover , if theres any sluge there i would suspect the oil pick up screen could be covered with sluge . You may be able to remove the oil cap & look with a flash light to see ??? ... Lew

 

Thats a good idea Lew.