Hi all. Been hearing some odd/bad noises coming from the engine for a few weeks but only saw issues when I would lose some power when first driving in 2nd/3rd so I really took no notice. Today, while changing the oil and noticed the oil filter had some oil in it but not as much as usual and I mean it was pretty clean inside. I change the oil every 5,000 miles and only loose about 0.25-.5 quarts every 5,000 mi.

My fear now is my oil pump is bad but since I don't have a oil pressure sensor, it is hard to tell. Has anyone experienced this before and can confirm my fears or should I be looking for a different issue. Thanks.

UPDATE: I took off the oil filter after running it for a minute and there is new oil in the filter so it is being pumped. Also, what I believe is the oil sensor is there under the exhaust manifold but I am not sure what it connects to since I do not have a oil pressure gauge and have not seen an oil light or check engine light on before.

 

Your oil pump is not "bad".

Why don't you have an oil pressure sensor? I'm sorry i don't understand why this part is not installed on your engine.

 

There is the original sensor but I'm not sure it works since I have never seen an oil or check engine light come on. Might need to check my OBD 1.

 

OBD does not care about oil pressure, you will not find any info with your OBD port related to oil pressure. The check engine light will not come on if there is no oil pressure -

The sending unit simply grounds the attached wire when oil pressure is below ~7 psi.

Pull the wire off the sending unit, use a jumper wire and ground it to the alternator. The warning light should be illuminated on the dash with the key on. If not - that wire goes directly to the instrument cluster to one side of the warning light bulb. A common failure point is the multi-connector in the center in the firewall where the engine wire harness connects.

You can also test the sending unit with an ohmmeter. should be 0 ohms or open circuit on the sending unit to ground with the engine off, and if oil pressure is more than 7 psi that same test will be a closed circuit with the engine running.

 

Tried jumping it this morning but saw nothing on the dash while the key was on or while the engine running. I jumped it to three different nodes on the alternator cause I am not sure which one is the ground. I will pull off the dash cluster and see if I can find anything wrong there, maybe a bad bulb? I'm also wondering if the sending unit is bad...

 

turn the key to position 2 - without starting. All the dash warning lights should come on (ie as a bulb check). You should be able to test the oil pressure sensor as hoonk noted - plus you can check out Youtube for some how to vids. That said, if you are hearing odd sounds and losing power, if there's any oil related damage, its already done. You probably need to do a few more tests to figure out the cause of the power loss and qualify the sounds (is it a knock, a misfire or vibration etc)? I'm suspect that your noise issues are related to oil pressure but a few things to do: Did you filter the oil when you did your last change to look for any filings or debris - if not do a drain through filter paper or a white paper towel to see if there's anything there. See if Autozone et al will rent/loan an oil pressure test kit (ie a guage and fitting that screws into the sending unit's port). Check the wiring/fuses to the sending unit.

 

Finally got some time to attempt your suggestions. I tried jumping the sending unit to the alternator ground but no light came on while the key was in position 2. Picture below of the ground I attached to. I checked the bulb of the oil light and all the connections to the instrument cluster and all looked good. I ordered a oil pressure tester from Autozone to rent so I will try that out when it comes in. Also not sure if my jumper is good.

The lack of power is only when going from a cold start at giving it a good amount of gas, after the first 5 or so minutes, it is back to normal.

The sound I believe is knocking, it doesn't sound like I am running on 3 cylinders and I can still get up to 80+ mph. It almost sounds like a diesel! (which if it is I've been using the wrong fuel for 8 years)

 

If it sounds like a diesel you need a valve adjustment. That can also make you lose power. The oil light, dash lights are not related to the other issues.

So, you cannot get the oil light to come on at all? Is the bulb OK?

 

I checked the bulb and it looked good, I think I am just not grounding the sending unit correctly or the sending unit is bad. If it is valve adjustment (which I hope) I don't think it explains why my oil filter was so clean after my last 5,000 mi oil change.

I have a video of the engine running from a cold start but not sure how to attach it since its a mp4.

 

If your filter was "too clean" after 5k miles, it'd mean some serious oil flow problems and probably your motor would be totally shot by now. Make sure you have a good bulb and oil pressure sensor, check the wiring. These engines rarely have the problems you are suggesting. How many miles on this motor?