Here we go again...

[Eck]

I don't even know how to begin...

So I went to meet a buddy for a beer this afternoon and neglected to see a sign in the parking lot for Doll Hospital Parking Only (yes, you read that right.) My Bronco was towed and I was not too pleased. I promptly went to the tow lot (which was operating out of the pig pen back yard of a residence in Arvada) to pay 214 dollars to bail out the truck. As I begin to drive home, I notice the engine sounds a little off-- kind of a fast click-click-click-click-click. My oil pressure used to be at about 60 and now it has dropped between 0-10 (when I shut the vehicle off now, it doesn't drop any lower.) I managed to get it home and turn it off to check things out. I am now leaking antifreeze somewhere near the top half of the engine back by the rear passenger side. Their is a little pool of antifreeze on top of the lower intake by #3 fuel injector. I can't really see where it is coming from because their are EFI wires, heater hoses, fuel injectors, etc. in the way.

I am desperately seeking some advice and "expert" opinions. I know--my luck is not holding up too well these days. I am honestly just about to the breaking point.

I will be sitting back pounding while I eagerly wait for your opinions/thoughts/advice/offers to buy this bronco.

[horseplay]

With your history with the cam I hate to say you may have cam bearing issues. I'm sure you know the drip of checking the oil & filter for contamination. Pressure testing the cooling system to trace the source of the leak. I hope there's a different reason for the pressure lose. Good Luck will hope for simple solutions.

[horseplay]

I was thinking is it possible for your pick up sensor to shift enough to drop the oil pump drive but still be engaged to the cam. I haven't seen one of these how they are machined or if the shaft drive could strip. Haven't seen the set up just a thought.

[Eck]

I was thinking is it possible for your pick up sensor to shift enough to drop the oil pump drive but still be engaged to the cam. I haven't seen one of these how they are machined or if the shaft drive could strip. Haven't seen the set up just a thought.

I didn't replace the oil pump when I did my rebuild because it did actually prime the engine. However, it didn't have a lot of resistance and I'm now wondering if that's because the oil pump shaft was rounded out. I don't think the cam sensor shifted but I wonder if the oil pump shaft got damaged when the last synchro got tore up.

[akaFrankCastle]

Just out of curiosity, was it towed on a rollback or a wrecker?

[Eck]

Front tires up. Back tires on the ground.

[Viperwolf1]

I hope this is an early April fools joke.

[Eck]

I hope this is an early April fools joke.

me too

[Dirtheadz]

That sucks!!!! You maybe more deserving of my avatar.

[B.O.B.]

Fingers crossed for you bro

[Rox Crusher]

Front tires up. Back tires on the ground.

so they got into your Bronco and put it into neutral ?

[Eck]

Front tires up. Back tires on the ground.

so they got into your Bronco and put it into neutral ?

The doors were locked when I got it but they must have. I don't know how else they would've towed it that way.

[Viperwolf1]

Common practice with tow companies I see is to disconnect the driveshaft and tie it up.

A locked Bronco is pretty easy to get into though. Tow companies usually carry tools for that too.

[EFI Guy]

Wow, that's a bad day!

The clicking may have been a noisy top end from the lack of oil pressure. I'd pull the cam sensor first and inspect the gear, roll pin, and pump shaft. If all is good see if you can prime it with your drill. Just don't start it again unless you can get oil pressure.

I find that I always have to re-torque the lower intake bolts after a couple of heat cycles or they will start to leak. You might give it a shot and see if that cures it.

Fingers crossed for an easy fix, you deserve a break.

[Eck]

https://vimeo.com/121628458

So I tested the oil pressure by hand and was getting a solid 60 psi.

I pressure tested the coolant system and chased a couple leaks at hose clamps. Tightened down all the hose clamps and don't seem to get any more coolant leak.

However, the engine just doesn't sound right. It's not as smooth as it was before. I either need someone who has more experience in diagnostics to come by and take a listen or I need to take it to someone.

Any takers or advice on a place?

[EFI Guy]

I'd pull the valve covers and give it a good look over. I can probably swing by one night this week if I get off work at a decent time.

[Eck]

I'd pull the valve covers and give it a good look over. I can probably swing by one night this week if I get off work at a decent time.

Will do. I'm out of town till Thursday afternoon so will probably do it late Thursday afternoon. If you want to swing by then- I'd love you to take a look.

[Viperwolf1]

What's different in the way you tested oil pressure?

[Eck]

What's different in the way you tested oil pressure?

I hooked up a mechanical gauge and used a drill on the pump shaft.

[Viperwolf1]

That sounds good. Might have had a loose sender wire or something simple. Got to track down the noise though. Maybe rockers hitting valve covers.

[Eck]

That sounds good. Might have had a loose sender wire or something simple. Got to track down the noise though. Maybe rockers hitting valve covers.

Phil- I think you may have guessed it! Landshark stopped by to grab the wire crimpers and we both are thinking (hoping) the rockers are slightly hitting the valve covers.

You can see the scratches in the attached pics.

[horseplay]

That would be great you deserve a break good luck.

[Justin]

Man, I hope that's your issue. Itd be nice to have an easy fix.

[Viperwolf1]

The scratches look more like wire brush marks. The baffle looks like it took some rocker hits though. Might try a felpro 1645 gasket. They're 5/16" thick.

[Eck]

Yah, I've got the blue rubber reusable ones right now which are 3/16. Maybe the extra 1/8 will help clear any issues.

[Viperwolf1]

You could also just wack it with a hammer.

[Eck]

You could also just wack it with a hammer.

Just the baffle? You don't think the other marks are from the rockers?

[Viperwolf1]

You could also just wack it with a hammer.

Just the baffle? You don't think the other marks are from the rockers?

Not the scratches. Rockers won't go that high. Look close at the tubes around the bolt holes too. What kind of rockers are they?

[Eck]

[Viperwolf1]

Ima say that's definitely rocker contact on those baffles. Those gaskets look nice but they're just too thin for those valve covers.