How to Check the Oil Pump on a Ranger
by Shannon JohnsonThe oil pump on a Ford Ranger distributes oil to the moving parts of the engine. This keeps the parts lubricated and is essential to keeping the engine running properly. Several things can go wrong when an oil pump malfunctions. Since the oil is no longer being pushed through the engine, oil can build up in different parts of the engine and then heat up. This causes the oil to become thicker and causes parts of the engine to seize up, which can cause serious damage.
Step 1
Slide a container under the Ranger directly beneath the oil plug, located on the passenger side of the oil pan. Use your wrench to remove the drain plug. As the oil begins to drain from the oil pan, be careful that it does not splash all over you.
Step 2
Use your oil filter wrench to remove the oil filter. You should now be able to locate the oil pump near the top of the Ranger's engine. The pump is attached to the engine with four bolts.
Step 3
Remove the negative battery cable carefully so that it does not come into contact with any metal on the car's frame. Unscrew the bolts from oil pump and set them aside. Remove the pump from the shaft assembly.
Step 4
Remove the container of drained oil from underneath the vehicle. Take the tube out of the oil pump and pour fresh engine oil into the ports of your new oil pump. Fill either the inlet or outlet port of the new oil pump with fresh engine oil to prime it.
Step 5
Rotate the pump shaft so that oil is distributed within the body of the pump. Replace the new pump onto the assembly and tighten the bolts according to your engine size. The appropriate torque is 14 to 21 foot-pounds. on 2.0-liter and 2.3-liter engines, 6 to 10 foot-pounds on 2.8-liter and 2.9-liter engines and 13 to 15 foot-pounds on 4.0-liter engines.
Step 6
Put the oil drain plug back into place and securely tighten it. Put the oil filter back in place and secure the filter. Then fill the crankcase with new engine oil and connect the negative battery cable. Drive around your block before going anywhere to make sure that your new pump is performing properly.
References
Tips
- Always change the oil when you replace the oil pump.
- If the oil pump does not seat readily, do not force it. This may mean that the oil pump driveshaft is misaligned with the distributor shaft assembly. Rotate the intermediate driveshaft into a different position to align it.
Things You'll Need
- New oil plug
- New engine oil
- New oil filter
- Drip pan
- Adjustable wrench
- Oil filter wrench
- Ratchet set
Writer Bio
Shannon Johnson has been a freelance writer since 2008, specializing in health and organic and green-living topics. She practiced law for five years before moving on to work in higher education. She writes about what she lives on a daily basis.
