1994 Ford Tempo possible oil pump

CAIN.SHERRY

MEMBER
1994 FORD TEMPO
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

Just had oil change 2 weeks ago, and tuneup, car driving great, oil light came on yesterday, I drove about 10 miles with it on, then engine started soounding "funny", car knocked completely off on interstate, service engine soon light came on, along with oil light and amp light. Tried to crank-it would not. Waited a few minutes, it cranked, didn't leave on but a couple of seconds, Called Hwy help, they said it looked like oil was aobut a quart 1/2 low. Put in 2 quarts, tried to drive it. Drove off of interstate and only got about 2 blocks(less than 1 mile)Car kept cutting off, then engine was making a "rugged" sound. Didn't want to blow engine, so just parked, and had towed back to place that did oil change. He said it looked like the oil was not pumping, so probably needed a new oil pump replacement. Quoted me $225 labor plus $50 cost of oil pump-but said he couldn't guarantee that would fix the problem. The book value on the tempo isn't that much-I just put out $200 llast couple of weeks for oil change and tuneup. Is there any way to pinpoint the problem exactly? Also, if it is the oil pump, does motor have to be pulled to get to? Also, what is reasonable price for this job, and how much time should it take?
Thanks

1 Reply

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
9,990 POSTS

Try changing filter? Maybe it plugged/malfunctioned/defective? Just a wild guess? The oil light sender is on top of filter mount and can be removed to check pressure/flow I think the pump is driven by the distributor gear maybe the shaft snapped off? When was your previous oil change? Changing the oil pump is no small feat! The oil pan has to be removed. It dont seem likely that the pump went 'suddenly' bad? Not impossible bu not very likely. Not likely it suffenly plugged but again, not impossible. Try google for more such happenings even if it's not a tempo. Another thing could have happened is that the system pressure is dependent on back pressure or resistance to the flow because of no leaking/worn bearings, etc. If somewhere in the system an internal leak suddenly appeared, this could significantly reduce the pressure! Good luck! Or just get another car? Tempo's can be real headaches if your not your own mechanic! Get a coroolla/prism in that same vintage!