Hi all,
I read the earlier "clacking" thread, but my problem is a bit different, in fact I've never seen any vehicle do this so any input will be appreciated. First, I have a 2002 Safari cargo van. Okay, this started this past thursday morning. When I started it, a lifter or lifters started clacking, but went away in about 15-20 seconds. Friday morning was the same. Friday after work where it had sat all day it was clacking upon startup, but I noticed the oil pressure was a little higher than normal. In fact, the gauge reacted wildly with engine speed in park. After the clacking subsided, I started to drive off, and the oil pressure still was too high. Even idling through our parking lot it indicated about 45psi, and when gently accelerated to get to the 30mph limit on the street, it would peg the oil pressure gauge at 80psi. So, since there was little traffic, I eased it up to speed and kept the pressure below 60psi. Now, once the temp gauge reached normal range (190 I think-just to the left of the 210 mark) the oil pressure returned to acting normal - about 25-30 at idle and never above 45-50. Yesterday morning startup had the same issues, so I let it idle to get to 190 degrees, at that point it was fine. Letting it sit for about 3-4 hours there was no noise or wild pressure when started, and it was fine the rest of the day.
So what gives? The lifters I can understand. It'll either be varnish buildup, or I'm going to need new lifters (ugh) What would cause the oil pressure to shoot up so high then drop when you let off the gas? Could the oil pressure regulator be sticking or bad? And lastly, why would both problems show up at the same time? I hadn't had any symptoms or issues before thursday...
John Rayl
2002 GMC Safari windowless cargo
I read the earlier "clacking" thread, but my problem is a bit different, in fact I've never seen any vehicle do this so any input will be appreciated. First, I have a 2002 Safari cargo van. Okay, this started this past thursday morning. When I started it, a lifter or lifters started clacking, but went away in about 15-20 seconds. Friday morning was the same. Friday after work where it had sat all day it was clacking upon startup, but I noticed the oil pressure was a little higher than normal. In fact, the gauge reacted wildly with engine speed in park. After the clacking subsided, I started to drive off, and the oil pressure still was too high. Even idling through our parking lot it indicated about 45psi, and when gently accelerated to get to the 30mph limit on the street, it would peg the oil pressure gauge at 80psi. So, since there was little traffic, I eased it up to speed and kept the pressure below 60psi. Now, once the temp gauge reached normal range (190 I think-just to the left of the 210 mark) the oil pressure returned to acting normal - about 25-30 at idle and never above 45-50. Yesterday morning startup had the same issues, so I let it idle to get to 190 degrees, at that point it was fine. Letting it sit for about 3-4 hours there was no noise or wild pressure when started, and it was fine the rest of the day.
So what gives? The lifters I can understand. It'll either be varnish buildup, or I'm going to need new lifters (ugh) What would cause the oil pressure to shoot up so high then drop when you let off the gas? Could the oil pressure regulator be sticking or bad? And lastly, why would both problems show up at the same time? I hadn't had any symptoms or issues before thursday...
John Rayl
2002 GMC Safari windowless cargo