intermittant oil pressure in 5.4L

[john08007]

I have an 2002 5.4L, a while back I was driving it, all the lights came on, I noticed it had no oil pressure, stalled, wouldn't restart. I had it towed back, charged the battery and it started right up. I was thinking maybe the alternator was bad, battery died, engine shut off. Well, I replaced the alternator, battery, was driving it around some, I noticed some light smoke at the exhaust. About 15-20 min later the oil light came on and no oil pressure at all on the gauge. Is it possible that the oil pump is intermittent? I have never heard of a pump working and then not working. It is also making a bit of a tapping which I would assume would mean the timing chains need to be replaced or it is in need of an oil change. Any help at all would help, thank you in advance

 

[stamp11127]

The oil pickup screen may have some blockage from the timing set. They are made from plastic that will disintegrate over time. I would test the oil pressure with an external mechanical gauge to see what the true pressure is. If it is out of spec then I would take a look at the timing set and oil pickup screen.

 

[nsperf]

Second stamp11127.

Check oil pressure with mechanical pressure gauge. report the findings and we will try to help.