So I've purchased this wonderful car and thoroughly enjoy driving it. It has 90,000 miles on it, is as tight as it was new and shifts beautifully.





There is of coarse a concern. The oil pressure does not seem as high as it should be. I don't have a gauge of unfortunately. When I drive like a normal human being everything is fine. No noise. Plenty of power. Perfect. It is when I really push it that there is a problem. With it under hard acceleration in first, second and third I will hear the slight sound of ticking from the lifters. Only when between 3000 and 4500 rpm. Still drives as should. Plenty of acceleration and no hesitation.

I have replaced the oil (and filter) with Elf Excellium NF-LDX 5W40 full synthedic (autohouse az) but it made no difference.

My first though (as I am a licensed advanced diesel mechanic) is that the oil pump is not pumping as it should or that there is a cavitation in the oil beneith the pump inlet due to the amount of oil being pumped.

So does anyone else have this same issue? Is there a general solution or do I need to replace the pump and see how it goes from there?

I'm not afraid of doing the work as these little engines are quite fun to work on but I still don't want to replace perfectly good parts.

Pump price isn't all that bad though...

http://www.drivewire.com/partr...lpump

 

First thing i would do is get a gauge on the oil. That motor doesnt usually have oil pressure issues. The noise may be coming from somewhere else.