Low TJ oil pressure = new oil pump?

My wife's '97 with a 2.5 has EXACTLY the same problem.

It would drop so low that at idle, the check gauges lights and all would
come on.

I currently use straight 40wt oil in it to keep the pressure up. Don't know
what I'll do when winter comes.

It started around 62,000 miles. It now has around 68,000 on it.

No other symptoms or noises.

It would really shock me if cam or crank bearings were worn out at this low
mileage, but that is where the pressure is "made".

Spdloader

Alas, crankshaft bearings.

I would check things out in this order:

Change oil & filter (would cure any thin oil or bad filter issue)
Replace pump (would cure pick-up & pump issue)



(Ralph DL) wrote in news:24405-44D62422-22@storefull-
3314.bay.webtv.net:

> Earl Horton;
>
> Which bearimgs might be worn out?... in the pump?... camshaft?... ?
>
> Ralph
>
> God exists, or God does not exist, or I am God and I am dreaming all
> this.
>

On Sun, 06 Aug 2006 18:10:16 GMT, "Spdloader"
> wrote:

>My wife's '97 with a 2.5 has EXACTLY the same problem.
>
>It would drop so low that at idle, the check gauges lights and all would
>come on.
>
>I currently use straight 40wt oil in it to keep the pressure up. Don't know
>what I'll do when winter comes.
>
>It started around 62,000 miles. It now has around 68,000 on it.
>
>No other symptoms or noises.
>
>It would really shock me if cam or crank bearings were worn out at this low
>mileage, but that is where the pressure is "made".

The pressure is "made" by the pump. Bearings is where it could be
"lost".

>
>Spdloader
>
>

> The pressure is "made" by the pump. Bearings is where it could be
> "lost".
>

That's what I was saying, note the quotes around the word "made".

Spdloader

I had that erratic drop problem and it turned out to be the thin paper
gasket between the pump housing and the block. Since it also had a
sticking pressure relief valve (ridge in the bore) I changed the pump
anyway. Don't forget to prime that sucker if you take it off - you
may never get oil pressure if you forget.

On Sun, 6 Aug 2006 17:43:29 UTC (Ralph DL) wrote:

> Bill Hughes
>
> Thanks for the schematic... that helps my understanding of the TJ's pump
> operation... seems typical for engines.
>
> Over the past 56 years I've had many cars... starting with a 40 Hudson,
> 33,34,36,37,38,41,67,73 Fords, 47,49,53 Lincolns, 41 Plymouth,
> 49,49,51,47,65,80,86,97,51 Jeeps, 65,67 Scouts, 65,73 Chevies, 88 Dodge,
> and none ever had oil pump failures. I just don't get it.
>
> If the camshaft turns a "jackshaft" which drives the pump, can worn
> bearings be the culprit? The pressure does not always drop when the
> engine is at idle... I'd guess only about a third of the times when the
> engine speed drops to idle... most of the time it drops to about 20-25.
>
> It NEVER drops at road speeds... city or highway.
>
> Ralph
>
>
>
> God exists, or God does not exist, or I am God and I am dreaming all
> this.
>


--
Will Honea

On Sun, 06 Aug 2006 18:56:16 GMT, "Spdloader"
> wrote:

>
>
>> The pressure is "made" by the pump. Bearings is where it could be
>> "lost".
>>
>
>That's what I was saying, note the quotes around the word "made".
>
>Spdloader
>


Oh, I see. The quotes mean you were wrong on purpose. I guess I've
just never seen them used that way before...

> Oh, I see. The quotes mean you were wrong on purpose. I guess I've
> just never seen them used that way before...
>

....wrong on purpose, yep, that's a better way of putting it!

Spdloader