No Oil Pressure, Engine Stalled

[12secSS]

On my way home to pick up my wife during my lunch break, my Explorer suddenly felt very low on power. I looked at the gauges and the oil pressure gauge was at the L mark, no oil pressure. The engine stalled and I had AAA tow it to a local me3chanic's shop (he a friend). While I was waiting for the tow truck on the freeway, I tried starting it, it did ... but was making valvetrain noises (lifter tapping), as if were out of oil. I am hoping it is just out of oil. Although I had one of those quick lube places change my oil about 5000 miles ago. I tried changing the oil myself the first time, dumbest design ever, I won't do that again. It spilled all over the place. Anyway, are the 4.0L SOHC engines known for having bad oil pumps? Any ideas what else it could be ... I am hoping not to have a big bill when he calls, I doubt it could be the engine. I was not knocking like rod bearing failure. Thanks for your help!

George P. Lara
1999 Ford Explorer Sport
4.0L SOHC V6
4-speed Auto
2x4
3.73 LSD differential
138K miles

 

[duckdog27]

Could be a timing belt?

 

[old mechanic]

Lifter tapping usually is a sign of no oil getting to them. Why is another question to be seen.

 

[Billy177]

i would put my money on the plastic from the timing chain casetts clogging the oil pump pick up.

 

[liqhx2]

that would be my guess 2

 

[jimbo74]

it stalled while driving? that all bad... my truck stalled while i was driving it because the piston decided to pop out the side of the block.....

 

[12secSS]

I knew it, I spoke to the shop ... the bearings are shot. :frustrate