Oil Pressure Problems "92 Q

[tomgo13]

Recently while driving down the interstate i noticed the oil pressure light flickering. I installed my test gauge and pressure was at 10 psi at idle. When you rev the engine it DROPPED to 5 psi so i pulled it down to inspect the pump. I found a broken timing chain guide ( Left bank ) I have changed the guides etc and installed a new pump. I turned the pump over with the air rachet and oil seemed to flowing well through the engine. Now its back together and same problem. (Original pump was still within specs btw) Any suggestions as i am stumped and this walking bit is getting a little old:D Thanks!!!

[Q45tech]

Well assuming the pickup is not clogged or damaged, you have a bearing problem. Caused by poor oil change habits sometime in its past life. You didn't say how many miles are on the engine? Or what type weight oil and filter you use? Time for some 15w50 till you get the new motor installed.

Based on a few [very few] examinations it apears that the rear [#7 or #8] tend to be the most starved.

We had a rod knock engine that we thought could be saved but after pulling the pan and examing the rods [#7] the crank was so mangled that even the largest obtainable bearing rattled around......this was an abused 131k motor.

They mean it when thay say more than 14 psi at idle and 67 psi minimum at 3,000 rpm.

[maxnix]

I think the crank bolt has to be tightened to something in the neighborhood of 276 Lb./ft. for the oil pump drive to engage.

I am sure more accurate information will come along soon.

[tomgo13]

The car has 106000 on it, however the engine was changed about 8 mths ago with one of the "35000" mile from japan engines. Inspection of the engine revealed nothing as it was internally clean and ran very well. I was thinking pickup problem as q45tech suggested as i really doubt bearing problems. I will pull the pan monday a.m. and let everyone know what i find as for know i have a little racin to do this weekend.

[Q45tech]

106k Holy COW, these engine last 250,000 miles with nothing but oil changes assuming the chain guides were changed.

You said the chain guides were broken on the present replacement one, obviously the "35,000 mile Japanese engine" had more like 100-150k+ on it to break the guides.When you find broken guides you always drop and clean the pan!

[tomgo13]

Ok, Here is the chronology of what happened as best as i can piece together. Somewhere along the line the oil pan got bend just enough to where the pickup was sucking metal as opposed to oil. The left bank timing chain guide broke (yup the plastic ones) and filled the oil pan with small bits of plastic, futher restricting oil pickup. I now have it back together and purring. All tensioner's have been replaced as well as the oil pump and the pan removed and replaced as well.It's been said here to change the timing chain guides on the older Q's asap. People, CHANGE THEM NOW if it has not been done.Also i would say that unless you consider yourseld a pretty fair mechanic pay a knowledgeable person to do it. This is not an easy task. Also i recommend the oil pan be removed and cleaned if your guides are broken. If you don't then you will purchase a new engine before long. Also dropping the pan on the Q is pretty difficult unless you have access to a car lift.I consider myself lucky as my engine seems to be perfectly healthy now but i could have easily been buying another one.

[DougQ45]

Tomgo--Congrats on the excellent news. Did 2 guide replacement jobs myself and know firsthand the work involved. The Q is NOT an easy car to work on!!