Do I Need A New Oil Pump?

[Skrapbob]

92 GL auto, 113,XXX miles. Changed the oil today at regular interval. Same brand of oil and filter for the last 10 oil changes. I have been noticing an oil smell around the car for a few weeks now, along with some top end clatter.
When I removed the filter today, very little oil in it. Went ahead and finished the oil change. Started the car and revved it to 3-4 grand for a couple times. Shut the engine down, unscrewed the filter a couple of turns, oil came out. Topped off the oil and went for a test drive.
Now the engine is getting very warm, with the lifters rattling under acceleration.
Any help is appreciated.

[Zanzer]

Maybe try installing a manual oil pressure gauge to verify oil pressure first. The B3 oil pump is pretty robust and 99% of the pumps I've pulled and inspected are still within factory tolerances....but there's always that 1%. I'm also wondering if it could be a stopped up pickup screen.

[Skrapbob]

Ok, here's the latest. The oil pump is working. There is oil in the oil filter. The coolant was low, causing the overheating, so I topped it off. It's running good, but now I see oil in the radiator, but no coolant on the oil dipstick, and I am having to add coolant every day after work. (20 miles round trip) I haven't noticed any smoke from the exhaust.

[shadetree]

Blown head gasket .

[TominMO]

Yup. Until you fix it, you might be able to save some money by adding distilled water rather than straight or even 50/50 coolant/anti-freeze. A buck a gallon in the laundry aisle at your supermarket. Still need some anti-freeze too of course, esp. as it's getting colder.

[FestYboy]

Scrapbob, replace the HG, NOW. do not try to nurse it, or band-aid it, just fix it. lack of maintinance (regular) to the coolent system causes premature failure of headgaskets (coolent turns acidic). flush the CRAP out of your heater core, replace the raditor (you'll NEVER get all the crap out of that), and get things CLEAN before re-assembly.

[crazyrog17]

You can do a head gasket in one Saturday if you're a little mechanically inclined as well as have the tools and parts ready. I've written up the procedure a few times here and could do one myself in a few hours. Don't be scared!

[FestYboy]

most important 2 tools you need: an accurate torque wrench (3/8") and a 12pt 12mm socket for the head bolts.

[Skrapbob]

I was looking at replacing the radiator next week anyway. What does a headgasket job cost if I do the work myself? The head will need to be resurfaced, correct? Thanks for all of the input.

[FestYboy]

it's best to have the head surfaced (~$70) , and if it's not too costly: have them lap the valves if needed ( a good shop will check for valve sealing when doing head work). a full gasket kit runs in the $110 range and it gives you everything you need for the job plus the little seals you don't think about but should be replaced anyway. if you search, sometimes you can find a kit with the timing belt cover seal included (if your cover is in good shape). other than that, it's the cost of your time, 4qts of oil, 1 gal of coolent (straight), 1 gal of distilled water, a can of Permatex Copper Spray, 2-3 cans of brake cleaner, 4 new spark plugs, and a tube of RTV. all said: under $250? (YMMV).

Note: pay close attention to the condition of your coolent hoses!!! if they are even questionable, replace them, it's not worth the risk. the combo of oil and coolent attacks the rubber and turns it soft (not good).