Pumping oil and high pressure.

[RedFury]

I'd like to know that the conversion van I'm about to buy either
a. has good oil pressure
b. replacing the oil pump isn't as big of a deal as it may sound.

The gauge reads right in the middle of the scale ( 0-60 psi ) for a while, and once you've been down the road for a few miles, the pressure drops off down to the low end of the scale. At times, during idle the gauge reads zero oil pressure which scares the hell outta me. However, if I rev, rev, rev the engine, the pressure gauge will run up to the middle and fall off again when it goes back to idle.

Looking at the manual, I should be able to remove the motor mount bolts and jack the motor up about 3 inches and remove the oil pan to get at the oil pump, which makes me happy because I thought I'd end up pulling the motor

Anyone ever do any work like this? ( BC ). I'm no stranger to going in deep into auto repair. I can go from changing plugs to replacing the motor to rebuilding the rear axle. I've got the tools ( and a newly acquired air compressor ) to help the job along.

I really like this van, and the price is perfect ( damn near free considering what it is ). It has about 177,000 miles on it, but it runs like a top otherwise, short of a little smoke on startup ( which is most likely valve guide seals...no biggie there ).

The current owner hasn't ever had a problem with the drivetrain on this vehicle short of replacing the water pump and regular maintenance.

Whaddya guys think? It's a great upgrade from the ol Station wagon and the entire family loves it so far ( we have it for an extended test drive ).

BTW, it's a 1989 GMC Vandura 2500 hightop conversion with the TBI 350 cu.in. Amazing power for a vehicle with this kind of mileage.

Oh, and as long as I'm writing an automotive chapter here...

Any of you van owners ever have a problem with the vehicle in wind, where you struggle to keep the vehicle tracking in a straight line? I'm thinking a few bushings need to be replaced, but I'm not sure where to start looking. It has new shocks and tires all around, so that isn't a problem. The suspension/steering just seems loose.

I dunno, I just like vehicles I can tinker on, especially when I've got new tools to break in

[Gomer]

I may be out in left field on this... but poor oil pressure such as you mentioned may be a sign of internal engine wear such as the main bearings rather than a problem with the pump itself. Maybe some other members can comment on this.

[draboo]

yep,Gomer is right on. it s more likely that the engine wear is causing the low pressure rather than the pump itself. but if you feel up to the challange of replacing the pump,i would choose a stock GM replacement,not aftermarket/parts store one. my son had two disasters choosing one of those"high perf/high volume" pumps.(after second disaster,ol` dad didnt look so dumb afer all )

cant help you with the loosness in the front end,tho. i dont mess with ball joints/tie rods and the like.

good luck,red. i ve owned two GM vans to haul around tools for contracting work. i enjoyed owning them.

[pickel]

If the oil pressure went to zero, after a few seconds, every lifter would collasape and you'd hear the results. Probably a bad sending unit. Easy way to find out..pull off the valve cover and see for yourself.

[zen]

Yeah I'm with Pickel.

Probably a sending unit.

Also, alot of late model vehicles have less oil pressure than you think. For instance, my friends little chevy pickup only calls for 6-10lbs of oil at idle. A weak sending unit would probably report zero pressure.

And, btw why would you replace anything on a motor with 177,000 miles? Run it till it blows, then drop another block in.

[electric]

"Any of you van owners ever have a problem with the vehicle in wind, where you struggle to keep the vehicle tracking in a straight line? I'm thinking a few bushings need to be replaced, but I'm not sure where to start looking. It has new shocks and tires all around, so that isn't a problem. The suspension/steering just seems loose."

a sign or tie rod ends or ball joints

jack up one side of vehicle until wheel is off the ground than
grab both sides of tire turning back and forth for movement it
should be rock solid

this will take two ppl,put bar under wheel raise and lower
wheel checking for movement in ball joints,they
should not move

lower vehicle do other side

[Bovon]

I will back up Gomer and draboo. Although a defective sending unit can read low..it will usually read low all the time. 30 pounds of pressure when the engine is cold is a decent reading...when it drops to near 0 after the engine warms up indicates badly worn bearings...especially cam shaft and main bearings.

Yes, you can replace the oil pump (usually) by dropping the pan..and with a new oil pump, you may even gain some sustained pressure when the engine warms up. Somewhere, I have read about a high pressure pump can be bought that is designed especially for worn engines.. I have never looked into that because I overhauled my last engine in 1978.

If this were me, I would look a bit further..unless you have a well equiped shop to work on such as this.

[John Prophet]

get a mechanic to look it over..he can run a quick pressure check..cost about 25-35$

[F/A-18 MechDood]

Another thing you can do..... Run 20w-50 oil in it. Castrol GTX is my preference.

[Bovon]

F/A-18 MechDood..if I had an engine that was "loose" in the bearings... I would use 50 or even 60 weight oil long enough to get rid of it.

When buyng a vehicle, you only have maybe 1 day to make up your mind... and unless you have a good mechanic to judge the engine carefully...best to leave that sucker alone.

John Prophet.. I agree. Don't be "sold" on looks, it will cost you big bucks later...nobody sells a good vehicle for less than wholesale unless there are problems.