Oil pressure problem? Tapping coming from motor?

[97aztecgt]

When I installed the new intake on the car, some coolant got in oil and made a lifter stick for a little bit. After about 3 oil changes, the tapping went away. Now, out the blue something started tapping again and is real noticeable in 4th gear at 2100 rpm. It speeds up with the rev though, but can be heard in any gear. Any thoughts? I've heard of putting about a qt of tranny fluid in the motor to help free up a sticky lifter, but I am unsure if it's a lifter or not.

Next is now when the car is at an idle, the oil pressure gauge just drops to L like as if the car isn't running. Rev it up just 100 rpm and it goes back to normal. Anytime I'm on the throttle, gauge shows it's in the middle of the gauge and operating fine. Also, if I'm doing 60 or any speed and let off the throttle, the gauge just drops to L too.

I've drove the car for about 2 weeks after the intake install with no noise, but I had the oil pressure problem. The tapping sound just started yesterday on my way home from work.

Brenton

 

[CC'S95GT]

Look at the bottom of the dizzy. It is what drives the oil pump. Make sure the bottom of the shaft isn't split.
Also get a real guage to check oil pressure. You can remove the sending unit and put the guage there.

 

[97aztecgt]

Another clue, it doesn't tap when the car isn't warmed up. It will tap in every gear and even just sitting still in neutral after the car has warmed up.

Brenton

 

[95-stang]

Sounds like low oil pressure, pressure drops as the engine warms up, tolerances become bigger and oil becomes thinner.

 

[95gtdrop]

is the harmonic balancer coming loose or apart from the spindle?
mine started to knock before i replaced the HB

 

[toyman]

Also get a real guage to check oil pressure. You can remove the sending unit and put the guage there.

Probably the best advice yet. The stock unit is a 6 psi ON/OFF switch. Your description would describe a oil pump issue where at idle the pressure falls below 6 psi and at a slightly higher engine speed the pressure increases just enough to trip the switch. Pressure hot should be between 40 - 60 psi @ 2000 rpm.

 

[GearGambler]

Another clue, it doesn't tap when the car isn't warmed up. It will tap in every gear and even just sitting still in neutral after the car has warmed up.

could it be possible that the ticking is an exhaust header gasket leaking? or even spark arching?

to check for spark arching - go somewhere really dark at night and pop the hood with the car running - look for a lightning strike under the hood

 

[red94gt5.0]

whats ur timing set at....?

 

[97aztecgt]

12*

The knock is slowly getting worse. Now every time you start it, it sounds like I jut did an oil change. So I brought it in to my work and the lead techs are about 98% sure it's a spun bearing. Yay for me!

331 is in sight!

Brenton