Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Trouble still/again. Truck is down in garage.

[tolmsted]

I have replaced my oil sender unit a month ago, the new unit started acting up last week as I posted here. Today it threw the check gauges light and oil pressure dropped several times and then recovered to about 30psi. Not good.



Then a couple blocks from home I heard a loud BARK from under the hood. Happened several times. Was able to get it home and in the garage.



The turbo is shot and the bearings are crap. I had this stock LM25S Holset turbo rebuilt several years ago. My son and I now think I have a oil blockage and/or bad oil pump and that killed my turbo. Just look at the factory service manual and I'm glad to see that the oil pump is not in the oil pan but front of block. I can handle it there if need be.



Will something blocking the oil pickup in the pan cause failure? Trying to figure it out how to check the oil pickup?



Also I need advice about after market mild upgrade turbo. not trying to go crazy, just better spooling I've read about in the past.



I think I'm in shock and I don't know what to do first this time. I need some advice from someone with similar experience.



Thanks in advance,:{:{:{

Tom

 

[tolmsted]

Me again:

Been doing a lot of searching and reading. Amazing what you can learn. I now understand that the oil sending unit is only a "dummy sender unit". Duh. Never knew that. Guess I'll be installing a real oil pressure gauge in the cab soon.

Later,
Tom

 

[JR2]

Depending on what year truck you have the sensor may not be a dummy. My O1 had a sensor failure and I went to great trouble to avoid the dummy sensor. If your truck had to get reflashed when it got the new sensor you got a dummy light.

Good luck.

 

[jhoughton]

Sorry to hear about the turbo. The answer to your question on the pickup tube is yes. It can be blocked or loose or possibly even cracked which will allow it to suck air and not oil. You will have to pull the pan to check. Once all is good there then I would replace the pump and go from there. If you do find trash or something blocking the tube then you may need to consider further teardown to insure no blockages exist.

 

[tolmsted]

Aa..... Ya!!!



Thanks for the info about the tube etc. I'll keep it in mind.



Truck is at local Cummins shop. The vac pump self destructed internally and sent crap into the oil system. See my other post around here for the latest about what is happening.



Thank,

Tom