1990 Ford Bronco Oil light, leak, overheating? Oil pan?

JILLR

MEMBER
1990 FORD BRONCO
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

When driving, all is good. When at a stop light, in drive, oil light comes on, obvious overheating occurs due to smell. Put the car in park, even stopped in traffic, and oil light goes off, smell subsides. Oil is leaking, not always obvious by overnight stains on driveway. Current mechanic says oil pan needs to be replaced, including labor, some $2500 (labor intensive) should solve the problem. Hometown mechanic, 3000 miles away, though not a Bronco expert does not agree, says it should be most likely the oil pump, maybe thermostat. And certainly disagrees with a $2500 oil pan repair. Who do I trust?

1 Reply

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Wow. Not sure what is going on but, I think some mis-communication at the least. Call the shop back and tell them what you think they said and ask them if you understand that right. IF it is the same, then ask for the owner of the shop. I think there is some communication that didn't happen. Common in this industry.

So you have an oil leak. That needs to be addressed obviously before a biker slides into the ditch.

You said "obvious overheating occurs". What is happening? Is there just a strong smell? Are there other symptoms? Temperature gauge going into the red? This may just be oil dripping on the exaust and creating a burning smell, but not overheating. Need more info on that from you.

This may not be bad oil pressure, but a bad oil pressure sending unit.

Re-communicate and verify.