They could be connected. What I need you to do is rent a mechanical oil pressure gauge from the local parts store. REmove the oil sending unit and screw in the mechanical one and check to see if you have good pressure or if infact it is very low.
# Engine Making a Clicking Noise - Check the engine oil level, your engine depends on clean engine oil to lubricate the internal moving parts, if the engine oil level is low or the oil is dirty it can cause internal engine parts to malfunction. For example: a valve lifter is responsible for holding valve train clearance to a minimum, if the oil level is low or dirty it can cause the lifter to malfunction which will allow excess valve train clearance creating engine tapping or clicking noise. In extreme cases or when your engine has run out or close to out it can cause one of the many bearing surfaces to fail causing permanent engine damage and noise until repairs have been made. If this condition is left unattended the engine will suffer permanent damage and fail. If your engine is making a noise change the engine oil and filter with the manufacturers recommended weight (viscosity) oil first, if that does not make a difference engine repair work is needed. Click for additional engine noises.
Let me know what you find.
Joe
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Thursday, March 4th, 2010 AT 8:43 AM