[jsrail]

They believe the oil pump is bad on our '02 Ford Expedition 2WD 4.6L/AOD. The shop wants 13 hours just to drop the pan and check out the oil pump which is about the cost of a used engine. The rest of the truck is nice, yet probably not worth a plug nickel without a running motor (runs, just the oil pressure goes up and down).

Which motors, cars/trucks, and years will interchange with out '02 4.6L without worrying about the ECM and any other major interchange problems? Is there some website with this info? (I haven't been able to find it yet)

Really need some help here guys, I'm disabled and our family now has only one running vehicle ('97 Towncar) and it's check engine light has now come on........when it rains, it pours!

Jay E.
Scottsdale, AZ

[Flyingjackal456]

Wait, why do you need a whole engine, is the oil problem really that bad?

[Graybeard]

How do you know the oil pressure is varying, by a gauge on the dash?

I would contact Canuck.

[Canuck623]

Why 13 hours to "check" the oil pump? You "check" the oil pump with a oil pressure test. This should take no longer than a 1/2 hour. Once a mechanical test is complete and by that I mean cold and hot pressures and numbers from idle to part throttle then you will know the condition of the oil pump and oil system. If they suspect a plugged screen put some of that engine flush and cleaner in the oil and run it for 20 mnutes or so then do an oils and filter change and re-run the pressure test. By the way, Alldata lists 4.8 hours to remove and replace the oil pan on your vehicle. Your shop appears to be run by thieves.

[oldtimer35]

They are going to pull the front cover and timing chains, guides and tensioners to pull the oil pump, or just run a gauge to see what the pressure is? If replacing the pump, then they would also have to remove the oil pan to get to the pickup.

[Canuck623]

Oil pump labor is 12 hours and that includes the pan and pick up. But like I said, you need a mechanical pressure test first. I can't remember when if ever I replaced an oil pump in a 4.6. They are famous for the sender units going bad.

[Graybeard]

The oil pressure sender in the early 1990s Jaguar (Ford owned) was so unreliable they replaced it with a switch. The gauge was still there, but the pressure never varied.

How far is it from Scotts to Glen, Dale?

[jsrail]

Originally Posted by Graybeard

How do you know the oil pressure is varying, by a gauge on the dash? I would contact Canuck.

The shop said they put a mechanical oil pressure gauge on it and it showed the pressure going up and down. Then they did a flush on the oil system and put a new filter and oil in it. Then he drove it for 5 miles and said the gauge showed good oil pressure, steady with no dropping, for the entire 5 miles. I then picked up the truck and within 7 miles, the dash gauge started going up and down again and then settled at "zero" and then I shut down the truck and had it towed home. I started it the other day and the dash gauge stayed at zero. Later that day, I started it again, and the dash gauge went up to normal pressure, but I shut the truck off after moving it forward 15 feet (it was in my way for something else).

So, I am befuddled as to how this could be happening. The shop said next step would be to drop the pan and check out the oil pump, hence, why the 13 hours labor. They could not come up with any reason that the mechanical pressure gauge would show oil pressure going up and down.

The shop also told me now the timing chains are making noise and need to be replaced. The truck has about 122K miles on it. We bought it at 112K, 3 years ago, my wife doesn't put many miles on it.

Does this info help?

Thanks much.....Jay

[jsrail]

Originally Posted by Graybeard

The oil pressure sender in the early 1990s Jaguar (Ford owned) was so unreliable they replaced it with a switch. The gauge was still there, but the pressure never varied. How far is it from Scotts to Glen, Dale?

Probably 15-20 miles depending on which part of Glendale.

Jay

[Graybeard]

Is there an oil pressure idiot light, too?

[jsrail]

Originally Posted by Graybeard

Is there an oil pressure idiot light, too?

No, just the gauge. The gauge has no numbers on it.

[Canuck623]

I would like to see you replace the oil sender before you spend any big money.

[Graybeard]

I agree with Canuck. The alt just died on our E350, and the voltmeter in the dash showed no perceptible difference between charge and nearly flat battery. The Batt light came on as the engine stumbled for lack of power to run the EFI. Pretty P-Poor.

[jsrail]

Okay, I'll replace the sender and post what happens. Thanks for the help guys.

Jay

[TnMack]

4.6 is interchangeable with the 5.4. Suggest that you get a 2nd quote. Oil pump is not that difficult to install without pulling engine, pump and gasket is affordable. I own an 02' 5.4, ocassionally an engine flush will clean the sludge and clear oil passages, allowing oil to flow thru passages and stabilize pressure. I use a qt transmission fluid, idle for 10 minutes and change the oil and filter.