Replaced camshaft Synchronizer and now no oil pressure and knocking.

[jsus]

New to the forum and looking for help with this issue.

Just replaced the camshaft position sensor and synchronizer and now the oil gauge is reading no oil and a knocking has started. Are they two seperate issues or caused by the same problem?

 

[ranger7ltr]

Camshaft Synchronizer is like a distributor...

When you reinstalled the synchronizer, did the oil pump driveshaft reindex to the bottom of the unit??? Or when you removed it did a long hex driveshaft come out with it??

Is the unit back down on the engine block or is it raised up above the engine block???I would remove it and look down inside the block and see if you see a shaft in the center of the hole...If you don't, you are missing the oil pump driveshaft and your oil pump is not turning...

Your profile lists a 5.0 engine and if so that makes looking for the driveshaft easier...If you have a 4.0 liter the synchronizer is in the back of the engine and harder to see what is missing...But let us know what you find...

 

[SoNic67]

The synchronizer shaft drives the oil pump (see the red marked hex):

 

[jsus]

Ok i think its missing. I do not see the driveshaft at all and when removing the synchronizer I had to use a lot of pulling strength and heard something metalic fall when i pulled it out the block. I could not recover or find the source but I believe that was the driveshaft. That is, if it does come out completely....How do i replace the driveshaft?

 

[SoNic67]

The pump shaft fell inside the oil pan. You will need to remove the oil pan and oil pump to put it back.
If you have a AWD, it means big trouble:

1. either take the engine out.
2. drop the front end completely (differential, prop shaft) and still you will need to raise the engine a couple of inches (disconnect the exhaust header for that).

This diagram is viewed with the engine upside-down:

But, if the knocking started already... You might need a new engine anyway.

 

[jsus]

How fast would it ruin the motor with without the oil circulating. I've only started a couple of time and moved ta couple of feet.

 

[shucker1]

No oil pressure and you are running on dry bearings. Perhaps 60 Seconds?

If you have to drop the pan to get the oil pump shaft out, when you drain the oil look for metal flakes or sparkly stuff in the oil.

If you find any your toast.

 

[jsus]

Thanks for the advice. Not sure if i want to put any more money or time in my explorer. 350,000 miles.. I think it's enough and maybe time to move on.

 

[SoNic67]

Sorry... sometimes pays to ask questions before you do rash things - like starting the engine well knowing that some metallic piece fell off inside it.

 

[my98nnj]

At 350,000 miles, go to a salvage yard, get a new pump drive shaft and put it in your engine. Leave the old rod down in your oil pan. If it runs and sounds good, just drive it...

 

[alohamonte]

If it runs for you with stuff in the pan, perhaps you'd benefit from a magnet drain plug to keep it from rolling around in there.

 

[jsus]

I'm pretty sure there is other things lurking to come up wrong on this vehicle. It's done already.