Any idea what is making this noise on my 1998 v8?

[Xylene]

The ATF in the cooling system is minor and it won't harm any gaskets. You should have flushed the cooling system when the radiator was replaced, to remove the residual ATF, but it's not a terrible thing.

The oil pressure gauge is an ON/OFF device. It reads zero when the oil pressure is below a dangerous level such as 5-10psi. So the pressure sensor in the side of the engine is only producing a signal to the gauge when the pressure is adequate, above 10psi etc. If your oil gauge reading is right, the pressure is dropping dangerously low, often.

It would help to confrim the pressure is low, with a separate gauge and sensor, or by replacing the OEM sensor, and maybe the gauge if that is also suspect. But be prepared to need to pull the engine back out, the pump or the pickup may be not right, or some other internal issues(too large bearing clearances etc).

Thanks, I haven't had time to dig into this issue yet but I am planning on starting soon. I have read that shorts in the ground wire can trigger the oil gauge issue I am seeing. I don't know what the sound coming from the engine is, I hope its not the bearings. Like I said when manually checking the oil level it is right where it should be, so that would tell me there might be an issue with the pump.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I wouldn’t suspect the oil pressure is correct if the motor sounded normal. Thinking back low oil pressure is why I said your bearings are damaged, it wasn’t from coolant intrusion.

If your oil pressure IS dropping like that, driving or running it is damaging the motor.

Oil level and cleanliness have nothing to do with having oil pressure.

 

[C420sailor]

The oil pressure fluctuating directly with RPM, coupled with the heinous knocking...I’m not a betting man, but I’d be willing to bet that engine isn’t long for this world.

 

[reallyfatbastard]

Thanks, I haven't had time to dig into this issue yet but I am planning on starting soon. I have read that shorts in the ground wire can trigger the oil gauge issue I am seeing. I don't know what the sound coming from the engine is, I hope its not the bearings. Like I said when manually checking the oil level it is right where it should be, so that would tell me there might be an issue with the pump.

Looks like a oil pump or the pickup tube is leaking allowing air to be sucked up at low RPM. Noise sounds like it is running low on oil and the rods rattling. The oil gauge on the dash is an on off. At the very least I would have the oil pan pulled off and replace the oil pump and pickup tube.

 

[Chris_A.]

As far as the oil pressure gauge, I am not sure it is functioning correctly. When checking the oil levels they are all normal and the oil is clean. Would the gauge indicate some other problem that manually checking the oil wouldn't show?

Yes, if you are running the factory setup, it is a pretty dummy light. Ford did this to all or most all of their gauges (since the '80s) to reduce customer complaints about low oil pressure. If it drops out as shown in the video, you are likely to have oil pressure issues. While this could be a bad sensor, the symptoms suggest that the oil pressure is bad. As suggested, run the pressure test to verify. If you search for it you will find that it is possible to modify the factory setup to actually read oil pressure instead of "does it meet the minimum". I did this a while back on my 93 Mustang.

After verifying that you have a oil pressure issue, a check that can be done for a leak in the oil pickup is to over fill the engine oil. Do NOT drive it this way as it could cause additional issues. The idea is to know why or at least to eliminate as many possibilities prior to tearing back into it. A common issue after overhauling or rebuilding an engine is to not install or misalignment of the oil pump drive shaft retainer. If you have to tear into it, check the drive shaft, pump, and sensor for damage. The retainer should be installed so that there is very little clearance. Check by rattling it, for endplay, without the camshaft position sensor assembly installed.

If you are sure of the rebuilding, it could be the oil pump. I have had bad new pump happen twice on engines that I rebuilt.

 

[JSM0320]

My daughter was driving the car on the freeway when she noticed she couldn't get it past 60mph. When we got it home I noticed it making this sound. Any suggestions?

Microsoft OneDrive

1drv.ms

From the looks of the videos I would assume it is a oil pump issue and will not go above 60 MPH because it is kicking it into limp home mode. If you would like to verify a manual gauge would help to verify, however I would presume that the oil pump has come loose you can verify this by pulling the cam angle sensor out of the top of the engine and seeing how much play you have in the oil pump drive.

 

[Gitusome]

My daughter was driving the car on the freeway when she noticed she couldn't get it past 60mph. When we got it home I noticed it making this sound. Any suggestions?

Microsoft OneDrive

1drv.ms

Sounds like the oil pump may have gone out. Is there any check engine or gage lights on? And if not look at the oil pressure gage. Should be around midway between L and H.

 

[Xylene]

Sounds like the oil pump may have gone out. Is there any check engine or gage lights on? And if not look at the oil pressure gage. Should be around midway between L and H.

No engine lights

 

[Mbrooks420]

Sounds like the oil pump may have gone out. Is there any check engine or gage lights on? And if not look at the oil pressure gage. Should be around midway between L and H.

Where the oil pressure gauge rides is entirely irrelevant, as long as it’s not at zero

 

[bwevers]

My daughter was driving the car on the freeway when she noticed she couldn't get it past 60mph. When we got it home I noticed it making this sound. Any suggestions?

Microsoft OneDrive

1drv.ms

Sounds like the bottom end of the engine, bearing let go, no oil pressure. Probably was out of oil.

 

[bwevers]

My daughter was driving the car on the freeway when she noticed she couldn't get it past 60mph. When we got it home I noticed it making this sound. Any suggestions?

Microsoft OneDrive

1drv.ms

Sounds like the bottom end of the engine, bearing let go, no oil pressure. Probably was out of oil.

 

[Banjoman47]

What about the oil pump? It appears to have pressure when revving up but drops to zero at idle. These are some of the common symptoms associated with a failing oil pump: Low oil pressure: A worn or failing pump will cause a loss of oil pressure. Engine noise: When certain engine parts don't get enough oil, the engine may start to make tapping, knocking or rattling noises.

 

[Xylene]

What about the oil pump? It appears to have pressure when revving up but drops to zero at idle. These are some of the common symptoms associated with a failing oil pump: Low oil pressure: A worn or failing pump will cause a loss of oil pressure. Engine noise: When certain engine parts don't get enough oil, the engine may start to make tapping, knocking or rattling noises.

The oil pump is/was new (less than 15K miles on it) but it seems like it might be the problem. Now the fun begins because the only way to get to the oil pump is to pull the engine.

 

[EB4X]

Let me guess, subpar chinese oil pump replacement ...? ....only 15K on it.....
Subpar new chinese radiators have been known to fail / wall separating coolant from trans cooler breaching and destroying transmission....good times...good times...

 

[Xylene]

Let me guess, subpar chinese oil pump replacement ...? ....only 15K on it.....
Subpar new chinese radiators have been know to fail / wall separating coolant from trans cooler breaching and destroying transmission....good times...good times...

I am actually not sure where the oil pump came from, it was part of the engine kit the machine shop ordered.

 

[C420sailor]

“Engine kit”...likely Chinese. Almost certainly not OEM or Motorcraft.

What’s the warranty on the rebuild?