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1996 ford winstar oil light is on and engine is tapping


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csw420792003
Novice

Jan 21, 2010, 8:18 AM

Post #1 of 6 (2761 views)
1996 ford winstar oil light is on and engine is tapping Sign In

i have a 1996 ford windstar 3.8l v6 with 170000 miles on it. the oil light has been coming on , mostly once it is fully warmed up. when the light starts coming on the engine starts tapping. i think that it might be that te oil pump is going out but not sure. would really like to get a second opinion. also i just changed the oil and it is still doing it. also not sure if it matters but the engine does not leak oil.


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Jan 21, 2010, 10:25 AM

Post #2 of 6 (2756 views)
Re: 1996 ford winstar oil light is on and engine is tapping Sign In

I see you have a couple of problems with your Windstar by your posts.

If the oil light is on and making noise when running, that's not good. I noticed you said you had a coolant leak & it's overheating.

What does the oil look like and where is the level?

You are probably going to what to check the actual pressure with a mechanical gauge to see what it really is. With the overheating problem getting it block test to make sure the head gaskets are good might not be a bad idea.

Depending on the results of the test would determine what you do next.


csw420792003
Novice

Jan 21, 2010, 4:36 PM

Post #3 of 6 (2744 views)
Re: 1996 ford winstar oil light is on and engine is tapping Sign In

well the van belongs to my new girlfriend and she didnt remember the last time had the oil changed. so when i changed the oil for her it was very black and dirty but it was free from any metal shavings . it was definitly way over due for a change. but as for the oil level it was right where it was supposed to be on the dip stick. she said she was just driving when the light just started coming on. but what i find weird is that when it is first started there is no tapping coming from the engine it only starts that when the light starts to flash on and off. why would it not stay on constantly, the light that is. and why doesnt it tap when it is started. its like it only strts messing up once it has been driven say 8 or 9 miles. also i am pretty sure the van was over heating because the heater core has gone bad. the floor was all wet so i have been replacing that all day which is the biggest pain in the ass ever. i really appreciate your help very much i didnt know anything about cars till i started having to work on this p.o.s.


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Jan 21, 2010, 8:43 PM

Post #4 of 6 (2731 views)
Re: 1996 ford winstar oil light is on and engine is tapping Sign In

You don't know much about cars and are tackling a heater core on a Windstar????

My hats off to you sir....Damn nothing like picking something easy to start learning!!!.......lmao

You know if this pressure problem didn't start until after the oil change, I think I would be tempted to redo the oil change with a good brand oil & Motorcraft filter.....Go with weight that's on the oil cap I believe its 5-30.


csw420792003
Novice

Jan 21, 2010, 10:19 PM

Post #5 of 6 (2724 views)
Re: 1996 ford winstar oil light is on and engine is tapping Sign In

no this started just before the oil change. thats why i did it i figured that would fix the problem. like i said dont know much. i successfully replaced it today but the damn thing is still steaming from the back side of the engine. could it possibly be maybe the water pump gasket? thats me wishing though i think. i have a feeling that its gonna b like the head gasket or something really advanced for someone like me. good thing is since is a older van anything i do to it is an improvement. like now once it is running right even though itt wasnt the main problem at leastshe will have a heater now unlike before. once gain thankyou for all your help everyone here appreciates it greatly.

chris


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Jan 21, 2010, 10:44 PM

Post #6 of 6 (2715 views)
Re: 1996 ford winstar oil light is on and engine is tapping Sign In

On those 3.8s it's usually an internal leak on the head gaskets. When you say the backside of the motor I assume you are talk about the right bank by the firewall. Best thing to do is pressurize the system and see where the leak is coming from....You will probably have to run it to build up enough pressure. I know it's tight back there, sometimes a mirror helps. The cowling over the back bank comes off fairly easy once you have the wiper arms off and that will give you more room. (if you were able to do a heater core,,,,this will be a piece of cake)

With the oil pressure problem you may want to verify it with a mechanical gauge but from what you've posted it really does sound like it's losing pressure. About the only thing I can think of doing that doesn't involve major repairs would be to R&R the oil pan and inspect the oil pickup screen for the pump. I've seen those pick up sludge and get partially clogged and cause problems similar to what you are describing............






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