I'm having some very odd problems with my 1989 Bronco II. It started overheating, but showed no signs of it other than the engine shutting off and steam rolling from under the hood. I say this because I never knew it was running hot; the temperature gauge was showing normal, then out of nowhere the engine shuts off. I got out and looked under the hood and steam was pouring out. I checked the radiator and no water was present so I put water in it...found the leak. Couple days later I just decided to go and buy a new water pump. That still didn't fix the problem....still ran hot. Still no signs of a blown head gasket or cracked head. And also after all this happened, my truck won't hold oil pressure. What is going on with my truck? Why is it running hot? Why won't it hold oil pressure? And one more thing, I heard that IF it was my oil pump that's messed up I would have to remove the engine to get to the oil pump. Is this true and what about all the other questions? I'm so frustrated. Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks.
Lots of unusual probs w/ bronco 2 (help...confused!)
- Thread starter dad
- Start date
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scott.thunder
New member
did you check your thermostat? if you get a piece of silicon or something stuck in it, it can be stuck closed or open. 
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/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />scott.thunder
New member
I am not sure about the oil pump. but have you checked your coolant and oil? if your oil appears watery there could be a cracked head or head gasket problem. and if I am not mistaken the crank moves the oil pump by a lever when it is running so you would have to pull the motor. dont quote me though...
andre
New member
crack head may not leak but may burn it
check youre plug if there white residue on them
check on top around intake gasket small leak will evaporate loss of coolant over 2 to 3
week
sweet smel
is it auto or manuel trams
make sure trams not over heating if auto word of advice get a trams cooler good
investment
as for oil pressure may have bad pump or oil pressure swich bad worn main bearing
and yes need to remove engine if u do check crank play at rear
hope this help have play alot w those truck have 85 89 90 bronco 2
check youre plug if there white residue on them
check on top around intake gasket small leak will evaporate loss of coolant over 2 to 3
week
sweet smel
is it auto or manuel trams
make sure trams not over heating if auto word of advice get a trams cooler good
investment
as for oil pressure may have bad pump or oil pressure swich bad worn main bearing
and yes need to remove engine if u do check crank play at rear
hope this help have play alot w those truck have 85 89 90 bronco 2
SunSpot
New member
Some things to consider:
The first thing you need to verify is if there is coolant in the oil. (the oil would look like a milkshake - foamy) If there is water in the oil, you have a cracked head/block, blown head gasket, or bad intake gasket. If there is water in the oil, your oil pressure drops considerably, and you will burn up that engine in no time.
A cracked head may not leak water into the oil, instead the crack could leak coolant into the exhaust, causing the exhaust to smell "******". Blown head gasket will leak water into the oil OR leak it to the outside of the engine around the head sealing surface.
Oil pumps Seldom fail. Usually something else is the culprit.. Worn Cam bearings or worn main bearings. 2.9 engines are well known to have oil pressure issues late in their life. (by design) due to worn cam bearings and the camshaft "walking" restricting oil flow to the lifters. If the main bearings are worn (over 150k miles) then you lose oil pressure at the crankshaft from the excessive clearances. If this is the case, change your oil to like straight 40 weight oil, and your pressure should increase a bit.
The fact you had overheating issues first.... leads me to suspect water in the oil and possibly head gasket and or cracked head.
To answer your question about oil pump change out.... you have to remove the oil pan, which means you have to jack the motor up about 8" and remove motor mount(s) and exhaust. Its a real pain, and prolly just as easy to remove the engine!
The first thing you need to verify is if there is coolant in the oil. (the oil would look like a milkshake - foamy) If there is water in the oil, you have a cracked head/block, blown head gasket, or bad intake gasket. If there is water in the oil, your oil pressure drops considerably, and you will burn up that engine in no time.
A cracked head may not leak water into the oil, instead the crack could leak coolant into the exhaust, causing the exhaust to smell "******". Blown head gasket will leak water into the oil OR leak it to the outside of the engine around the head sealing surface.
Oil pumps Seldom fail. Usually something else is the culprit.. Worn Cam bearings or worn main bearings. 2.9 engines are well known to have oil pressure issues late in their life. (by design) due to worn cam bearings and the camshaft "walking" restricting oil flow to the lifters. If the main bearings are worn (over 150k miles) then you lose oil pressure at the crankshaft from the excessive clearances. If this is the case, change your oil to like straight 40 weight oil, and your pressure should increase a bit.
The fact you had overheating issues first.... leads me to suspect water in the oil and possibly head gasket and or cracked head.
To answer your question about oil pump change out.... you have to remove the oil pan, which means you have to jack the motor up about 8" and remove motor mount(s) and exhaust. Its a real pain, and prolly just as easy to remove the engine!
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