tattooguy

Hey guys. New member and relatively new to the world of automotive mechanics. I got a few issues that I need help with. Got a 95 F-150, 4wd, 302, auto tranny, 145,000 miles. Here's the issues:

1. I have no oil pressure. Oil level is fine. The needle will flicker to normal level for a couple seconds at a time but mostly just sits at 0. Doesn't matter if the truck is cold or warm. Doesn't increase pressure when I step on the gas.

2. I got a wierd ticking noise. It usually doesn't tick when I first start it but starts ticking after a minute or two. It gets faster with higher rpms and slower with lower rpms. It ticks at idle as well.

3. My check engine light comes on from time to time. I don't know what causes it. No weird noises (this started befor the ticking and oil issues). It will stay on for a few minutes. Then for whatever reason i'll step on the gas and hear what sounds like rocks getting shaken in a coffee can. The sound ends abrubtly and 5-6 seconds after that the check engine light shuts off and stays off for the rest of my trip. Any ideas? Any clue where I could go to get someone to pull codes for me for free/cheap? All the dealerships around want $75 to $100 bucks to pull codes.

Anyway. That is it for now hopefully. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

dr_bowtie

1st thing I would do is check or change the oil sender unit to make sure it is reading correctly....

it is common for the 90' series Fords for the oil pan gaskets to split and get sucked into the pick up tube...causing no oil pressure...

lifters ticking is common with that many miles they get weak and wont hold the pressure....but you have to make sure 1st you do in fact have pressure....

if no pressure with a new sender unit or checking with a mechanical gauge then I would pull the oil pan...just did this myself

Good old Bill

Others on the site have said Auto Zone will check for codes at no charge. Put a test gauge on the engine to verify oil pressure. Need these verified for further comment.

ymeski56

All the autozone's in my area say as per the corprate office, they no longer are allowed to provide Code scans. but maybe this is just a regional thing. Regardless of where you live, if it is a flow restriction or oil pump failure, rather than a bad sender unit, you might toast the engine by continuing to drive it the that condition!

TheLoudestSilence

Autozone will still do it here... but only on 96 or newer.. in other words OBD-II

tattooguy

Thanks for the reply. This may sound stupid but is there any way to remove the oil pan without removing the motor? Any tricks I should know about. I don't have a cherry picker or anything like that. Will it be possible? Thanks again.

TheLoudestSilence

Yeah.. Im not sure exactly on your truck.. but most oil pans can be removed without taking the motor out.. some of them you have to undo the motor mounts and jack it up just a little to get some clearance.. but like I said its different from car to car so im not sure on yours..

ymeski56

Kragen Auto sells in store or on line, a OBD1 ford Digital numeric readout code reader. Innova (model #3145) $29.oo

TheLoudestSilence

You know i tried to find one of those forever around here.. because i found it hard to count the flashes from the check engine light and write it all down at the same time... finally I out smarted it and now i just record it with my camera then i can play it back on my tv or computer and pause and play it as i need to get my codes right lol

ymeski56

I know exactly what you mean. I miscounted and kept trying to fix something that wasn't broke, for two days! With a pinch of dyslexia and a tad of A.A.D., the light flash method doesn't do it for me. The manufacturer is discontinuing this model & replacing it w/ a Flash only model, but you can still get the digital read model by ordering one from Kragen online. Mine is 4 yrs.old and works fine. Still haven't had to replace the battery yet. but I'm thinking about ordering another one for a spare. When there gone, there gone! $29.oo! As of last month, they where still available. The flash only model retails for $39.oo. How bazaar is that!