wont you have to take out the sending unit to hook up the gauge?

 

The one that's in there takes a 1 1/16th deep well. Comes out easy.... the new on is a different size..... No clue what that's all about.

 

how is the oil level?

 

Oil level is good. Oil pressure is not.....

Put the mechanical gauge on there.... Cranked up the engine. 20 pounds at idle....... (was over 80 when first installed a week or two ago....) Step on the gas, pressure drops......

I already know what I am going to find. Same thing that prompted the pump change a couple weeks ago. Crap in the pickup tube. Exact same symptoms as last time. (aside from the flaky gauge and light....)

I suspect, that when the truck was parked at the shop while doing the plenum, the guy that is currently running the shop "added" something to the motor for me. (he has a grudge......) Last time, I dropped the pan, pulled the pump, and there was what looked for all the world like rag that had had a particularly bad experience clogging the pickup screen..... I am betting I am going to find the exact same thing this time. Just waiting to get some time in the shop. (the truck will NOT be staying there overnight this time..... at least, not when the shop is actually going to be open.)

Are we having fun yet?

 

the way in which the gauge and warning light are registering two different things is baffling me. i would expect the warning light to be triggered by a drop in pressure below about 5 or 10 psi.

i have read that the gauge is not a direct read of the pressure, but instead, an interpreted display to the center of the gauge, so that customers would stop bringing their trucks to the dealer and complaining about low oil pressure. i don't know if there's any truth to that, or just internet bs.

the mechanical gauge does confirm that your pressure is way down from 80 to 20, in spite of the cluster gauge reading 40, so maybe there is some truth to the story above.

it takes a real dick to vandalize an engine by dropping a rag into it. i believe i would plot something very evil, but not discuss it nor tell anyone about it.

do you think there is any possibility that pieces of the previous rag debris have slowly accumulated back onto the screen, or into the filter. i suppose anything on the filter would trigger the bypass valve, so maybe that's not a lucky option.

sounds like the pan is coming back off. is there any other warm place you can work on it?

 

With the gauge disconnected, it reads zero, but, the light does not come on. The gauge is indeed an 'interpretation' by the PCM for actual reading. I suspect there is a delay between what the PCM thinks is going on, and what it tells the gauge to do. I may just permanently install the mechanical gauge.......

I think you are correct on what happened. First time around, not all the debris had collected in the pan yet. I poked around in the underside of the engine, at least, what I could see.... There wasn't any more in the pan, so, I suspect there was some more floating around somewhere, and it has finally found its final resting place. These engines seem to be incredibly durable, at least, the bottom end..... as when I had it apart last time, I inspected a few of the main bearings, and there was a bit of very minor scuffing, but, that was it. I felt no need to replace bearings. Hopefully, I can get away with that again. I will inspect the front and rear bearings, and see what I see. Take it from there.

There are many things I would dearly love to do to this guy...... but, being me, I probably won't. Probably....... He already killed one of my cars, I would be highly put out if he killed another. (I simply cannot afford to replace an engine. Nor can I afford to replace the truck....... There is NO money. I live on disability.)

I would love to take some legal action against him, but, I have no proof that he actually did anything. At least, nothing that would hold up in court.

Hopefully, the shop will be available at some point this weekend. If I have to spend part of christmas day under my truck, that is what I will do.... I need the second vehicle. If I can't get into the shop, I will rent one of the jet engine type heaters, and just point it at me, and do it in my driveway..... Not an exercise I look forward to, but, no one else here is gonna do it, and my elves are notoriously worthless.

If I can rescue the truck, for the cost of another oil change, (and some time helping my buddy change a fuel pump on an S-10...... garage rental. ) I will be reasonably happy. If an opportunity to screw the dick happens along, I will more than likely JUMP ON IT!.......

 

You might throw and ad there on Craigs or something asking to rent/barter someones garage space for the day, I doubt that will go over to well (and a long shot)but you never know might get someone who's willing to help.

 

Once I have all the tools required, (and there really aren't that many.....) and get started, I will be in the same spot for a while. If I have a nice warm breeze blowing over me, and insulate myself from the ground, I should be able to do it up in a couple hours, max. I would just MUCH rather be able to put it up on a hoist, and NOT have to lay down at all..... or, maybe set it at a height that will allow me to SIT and wrench. I have difficulties holding my arms above my head for any appreciable length of time..... they go numb....... so, breaks are fairly frequent.

 

its amazing what you can find on craigslist. an ad like "i need to rent your garage for 1 day for $25 to repair my truck. i know what i'm doing, will bring all my own tools, and clean up when done", might get a positive response. i might even get a "hey you can you my garage for free... (did you get the pun?)

all you need is one person sitting there reading their computer and saying - that 'ol boy needs some help and i don't need the garage.

last summer we moved my daughter and son-in-law across country to iowa. after unloading everything we had about an acre of moving boxes and packing, and a bunch of lumber that i'd used to build decking inside the truck. we put up an ad in craigslist for free stuff and within about 2-3 hours people had come and gotten it all.

 

One of the reasons I picked this username, way back when. (2003? or some such. )