1997 Ford Explorer Oil pressure

WKHAWORTH

MEMBER
1997 FORD EXPLORER
V8
AWD
AUTOMATIC
198,495 MILES

My old Explorer died yesterday. Oil pressure gauge started jumping crazily and then bottomed out. The person driving it drove it until it quit. It will start now, but no oil pressure. Is a new oil pump the answer?

Saturday, April 25th, 2009 AT 12:08 PM

4 Replies

JGAROFALO

MECHANIC
489 POSTS

Possibly. Could also be the shaft that turns the pump. I would suggest taking the oil pan down and doing some inspection. If the shaft is twisted off, then you need a shaft AND a pump. Also, check the engine bearings. Runining without oil pressure is tough on bearings and crankshafts.

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Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 AT 6:33 PM

OBXAUTOMEDIC

MECHANIC
3,711 POSTS

Hello,

My question is when you start it up does the engine knock? You don't mention whether it does or not. You just state that it starts just no oil pressure.

You also said that the person driving it drove it till it quit, usually when that happens the engine has seized and won't start.

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Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 AT 6:40 PM

WKHAWORTH

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As a matter of fact, it DID knock. I hadn't thought anything about it.

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Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 AT 6:49 AM

OBXAUTOMEDIC

MECHANIC
3,711 POSTS

Ok, then most likely the rod & main bears are shot. And you would need and engine rebuild or purchase a reman engine.

To try just to put in an oil pump would to me be a waste of money just to find out that the engine bearings are shot.

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