Loss of oil pressure

uglysteve

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2006
94
8
Arizona
Yesterday while accelerating to get on the freeway, while pulling a trailer, my 03 Discovery (4.6l gas engine with 126k miles) lost oil pressure. Oil seems to have sprayed from somewhere on the timing chain cover. I pulled over and shut it down within about 30 seconds of the low pressure alarm.

Since there is no distributer to pull off and spin the oil pump with a drill, how do I pressurize the oil to locate the massive leak?
My plan so far it to:
1. Clean up the area so I can see things better.
2. Drain oil and look for metal bits.
3. Cut open the oil filter, and look for metal.
4. Put an oil pressure gauge on it, pull the fuzes for the fuel injection and engine computer, crank and look for pressure. May be pull the plugs first, to avoid compression, and minimize load on bearings.

Am I missing anything? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
 
Aug 20, 2007
2,727
45
Nashville TN
I thought of that, but doesn't that usually happen early? I have 126k miles on it.
most 03s should have been replaced long ago, but an oil pump gear can still break. It wouldn't hurt to remove the front cover and just go ahead and check it, especially with oil being sprayed in the area of the front cover.

at the bottom of this thread, OP shows a setup he used to prime the system after replacing main bearings and oil pump. it might help.

 
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uglysteve

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2006
94
8
Arizona
I think you may be correct. I just found this in the plastic cover under the engine. It looks like part of the oil pump. I am still looking for the hole it made.
Oil pump.jpg
 

uglysteve

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2006
94
8
Arizona
Found the hole, above the crank pulley, behind the oil pressure switch. I also found glitter in the oil, so I suspect the bearings are trashed.IMG_0005.JPGIMG_20210817_145830838_3.jpg
IMG_0002.JPG
 
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uglysteve

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2006
94
8
Arizona
I have been suspecting a slipping liner for a while. So I have to decide if I should repair or replace the engine.
:cry: