Oil Pressure Drop-No start

[radorunner]

95 4runner 4wd 6cyl

So, driving along, oil pressure drops...get home turn off, there were no funky engine noises at this point.
Check oil, almost gone but still some...put about 2 qts in, this takes it to a good level...so now no start. Not seized, it tries to start. Almost got it a couple times.

Figure if the thing takes 6 qts usually and I only put two in, then it shouldn't have been dry at least in the low end....

Pulled the s.plugs, they are oilly?!

Not sure where to start or what I can rule out if anything...It only has 130k on it and i'd hate to have to replace the whole thing....I don't think the oil pump went, not sure on the heads or bearings yet?! Help!

Oh and if it matters, no dummy lights came on at any point!

 

[04 sc V8]

Hmm........that's a good one. FYI, if I ever see my oil pressure dropping, I'm shutting down the engine ASAP until I find out why. Anyway, if the spark plugs are wet with oil, they definitely won't be firing very well. So start with that. Hopefully you didn't sustain any engine damage.

 

[jharris2]

Duplicate threads merged

radorunner, please see Rule 8.

 

[the_dingman]

Sounds to me like you might have problems with your rings. Do a compression test.

Seriously, just do the test.

I had other issues recently that could have been from compression problems and I blew off the test, once I did it, I knew if the problem was major. This will tell you if you gaskets, valves and rings are okay or not.

 

[radorunner]

yeah, gonna try new plugs, and do a compression check. Thanks for the input! Any suggestions are a big help!

 

[radorunner]

she's alive!

New plugs, she runs!!!! Compression is off, so it's time to bring to someone else and see the next step, but no knocking or wierd sounds!!!! She will return to the mountains but not soon enough!

 

[drmorbius]

Re: she's alive!

New plugs, she runs!!!! Compression is off, so it's time to bring to someone else and see the next step, but no knocking or wierd sounds!!!! She will return to the mountains but not soon enough!

It seems odd that all the plugs were oily. Does your engine have a smog valve (PCV)? If that thing gets stuck in the open position you can suck crankcase fumes and even raw oil into the intake manifold. It mimics bad oil burning. Just a thought.