Low Oil Pressure

I need some help.
I have a 97 rodeo 3.2 4wd.
I recently had a spak plug disintegrate sucking all the components and most of the coil pack stem into my number 1 cylinder.
I fished out all the pieces of debris I could out of the cylinder but I dont know where all the rubber from the coil pack went. I replaced the coil pack and thank god it seem to run fine. But now when the vehicle warmed up the oil pressure was dropping to zero at idle. It went back up to around 40 when I reved it over 1700 rpm but as soon as it was under 1600 it immediately drops to zero. I changed the oil and it almost seems like it was worse now the oil lamp was on at idle. I must say the pressure does not drop until after the car has been warmed up and driven for about 10 minutes and then only at low rpms.
Has anyone gone through this before?
I have heard of the pick up screen getting clogged in the oil pan.?\
Has anyone removed their oil pan to unclog their screen before? How much work are we talking here?
Could it also be that some debris got into my oil pump and did a number on it?
Please help
Thanks

Well, I'll give it my best...

I would say that the two incidents are completely coincidental. Unless some of the top end pieces that got sucked into the cylinder made it past the piston rings, then they would theoretically have no way to make it into the oil galleries, or the pan itself.

One would think that the high oil pressure at startup (before warming) is caused by the thicker oil in the galleries, thereby giving the pump much to 'push' on, providing that pressure.

Perhaps the oil pump is wearing out, with not enough gear left to push the thinner oil as easily.

I'd start by checking the actual oil pressure sensor first, then move on to removing the oil pan, checking the screen, then pulling the oil pump itself, tearing it apart and checking gear clearances with a feeler guage.

I've never taken a pan off of one of these vehicles, but I'd set aside an entire Saturday to DIY.

Regards,

Steve

The oil pressure sending unit on my Rodeo bent bad about a year and a half ago and it exhibited almost the exact same symptoms.

Like Steve & Canuck said, check the obvious stuff first, like the oil press sending unit. It's on the oil filter mounting base. If that's okay, I'd check the oil pump p/up screen for plugging. That's just a matter of pulling the little stamped steel pan (the one with the engine oil drain plug). It's normal to see an oil press drop once the engine warms. Thinner oil = less pressure.
G/luck
Joel

thanks for the help guys.
I will check out the sensor I guess I should at least rule it out before doing any other thing.
Any one know off hand how to test the sending unit?
I will post any developments

possible that it is the sending unit I have never changed one on a 3.2 before unless it was physicaly broken

most common cause plugged pick up tube or screen sucked up against oil pickup pipe easy fix only have to remove lower part of oil pan

if that dont do it remove the valve covers there are relife valves in the heads pass rear and drivers front remove them (one on each side) take them apart aand clean them it looks like a long nut there is a spring and ball inside of them old oil causes them to stay stuck and allows oil to flow free without restriction which reduces oil pressure at idle

Ok
I have heard of this pick up tube blockage.
But I was afraid that taking off the oil pan would be very dificult, since according to the manual everything around it including the front axel had to come out first.
You say it is an easy fix that all I have to is to remove the bottom part of the oil pan. Can you tell me how? I am a bit unclear about the situation.
Thanks for your help.
It is always apreciated.

tension:

I would recommend you pick up a Haynes or Chilton manual for the vehicle. They are relatively cheap in price ($20 CDN), and will help you immensely.

However, if no one posts back about what needs to come off the vehicle to remove the oil pan, I'll take a smoke break shortly, run out to the truck, and take a quick review of what may need to be done.

I've got a '92 Isuzu 4x4, 3.1L, 5-spd, which if you have the same, then it may help.

Give me a half hour to get some of my morning routine out of the way, then I'll have a good look.

Steve

Remove The Screws And Pull The Pan Off

Tension......mind if I ask what brand of spark plug broke up on you?
I'd like to avoid that type if possible!
Any info about what caused it if you care to share the story, too.
thanks,
Tom

It was an NGK
The only thing I can think of is that it came lose and broke apart after jigilling around a bit. Maybe I did not tighten it enough.
I really dont know but what ever happened it was quite violent.
And 2eyefishclaw, do you mean I could drop the pan just far enough to perform the clean up? that it is not nesesarry to remove all the other things to do this action?

Take a look under your truck. The lower oil pan (the one with the drain bolt) on your 3.2L is real small. Remove the bolts that hold it to the upper pan & it should pull right off & out of the way. The p/up tube is under it. I'm not positive on the pre 1998's but you should be able to get that pan out without removing anything else.
G/luck
Joel

it should come off without any problems