sjschlag Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 (edited) Went to top off my '79 wagon with a bit of oil. It burns oil periodically, even though it only has 43k on the clock. I noticed a bit of white junk on the oil filler tube. It looked to be about the consistency of grease. Should I be panicking? The oil that was in the crank case looked very clean. The oil light on the dash is on as well, but I figured that was because of a bad sending unit. Car runs fine! Am I going to have to pull the motor and rebuild it? The top end on the right side was rebuilt before I got the car. Should I just go ahead and rebuild the left when it warns up? Thanks! Edited March 26, 2013 by sjschlag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Change your pcv valve. This is just condensation from biproducts of combustion. Never ever second guess an oil pressure light. Get a cheap oil pressure gauge and check your oil pressure. It may be a bad sender, but why risk it for the cost of 20 bucks. You never rebuild 1/2 an engine, that is really odd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjschlag Posted March 26, 2013 Author Share Posted March 26, 2013 I'll change out my PCV valve tomorrow. It looks relatively easy. If that doesn't help then it looks like the oil pump has to come out. Probably should check the pickup in the crankcase too. Anyone rebuilt one of these oil pumps before? Looks like a piece of cake to take out, but is it as simple to fix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 oil pump is easy to reseal but hard to get out of block somtimes have had to losen the front block bolts to get it out change sender first. The stuff in the oil filler is blow by minoir not a problem comes from runing on cold wet days change pcv and pcv fillter might help. Run it with the oil cap off ans see if it pulses smoke out the filler if it do's then mabee a cracked ring land. Then comp test should have a min of 125 psi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88wacaroo Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 (edited) I'll change out my PCV valve tomorrow. It looks relatively easy. If that doesn't help then it looks like the oil pump has to come out. Probably should check the pickup in the crankcase too. Anyone rebuilt one of these oil pumps before? Looks like a piece of cake to take out, but is it as simple to fix? The stuff is just Condensation-Cold,Wet Mornings cause this-It"s normal....The Oil Light-Put on a mechanical gauge to check the Oil pressure 1st before you do anything!! These Motors are designed to use a little Oil between changes-The Book says 1/2-1QT. 2500-3500Miles,I always change My Oil 25-3000Miles anyway since I Flog My Cars-It Keeps them Happy!!! Oh yea about the Oil Pump Rebuild-Do Not Pry on it to get it out...You"ll break it....To take it out leave the filter on and take the bolts out-Get the pump to turn/move before you try taking it out-use the Oil filter so you have leverage to turn the pump this helps loosen it up-varnish and makes it easier to get out...If it has good O.P.and isn"t leaking wouldn"t mess W/It....Good Luck Edited March 26, 2013 by 88wacaroo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjschlag Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 (edited) Well, I replaced the PCV valve. I'm hoping it helps clear out some of that condensate. I've noticed that the oil light comes on as the car warms up. When the car is cold, the light is off, or as it warms up the light gets brighter at lower RPMs. When you rev the engine, the light seems to get dimmer. My guess is that as the engine warms up and the oil gets thinner, the pump has trouble picking it up and maintaining pressure. Think it's time for a new oil pump? My boss recommended changing the oil to a 40 or 50 weight... Something a little heavier. Thanks! Edited March 27, 2013 by sjschlag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Lets hope it is the pump. I wouldnt run it anymore untill it is properly diagnosed and resolved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Mabee alt is failing brushes going out is the alt light coming on dimly ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maestro Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 Check out this post:http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/136455-1979-brat-4x4/ I put up lots of pictures from the factory shop manual dealing with oil pump and low pressure issues. You should seriously get a mecahnical oil pressure guage and hook it up to know for sure what your oil pressure actully is. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjschlag Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share Posted March 29, 2013 I picked up my gauge today from the store. That guide you posted is amazing! let's hope it's just a bad pump or bad relief valves... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 and ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjschlag Posted March 31, 2013 Author Share Posted March 31, 2013 Took it to my mechanic to get the gas tank sealed. Told him to look at the oil pump while the tank is being worked on. Should know on Monday what's going on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjschlag Posted April 12, 2013 Author Share Posted April 12, 2013 Got my new oil pump today. Threw it on the wagon and put some fresh 10w 40 in there. Fired the car up, and still had a constant oil light! I hooked up my oil pressure gauge, and it showed I was getting a constant 60 psi! So we know we have enough oil pressure. Could it just be a bad oil pressure sensor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now