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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.0 3, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 138 (Engine Controls - Trouble Shooting - No Codes - 7.3L Diesel) >> Symptoms >> Hard Start/No-Start - Dry Reservoir >> Symptom Checks

Symptom Checks

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  1. Check Oil Reservoir

    Check for proper oil API rating (CG4/SH) and viscosity. Remove oil reservoir fill plug and refill reservoir. Reservoir is located on top of engine, near generator. See Figure. Start engine and test drive vehicle 10 miles. Remove oil reservoir fill plug and check reservoir oil level. If oil reservoir level is low, go to next step. If oil reservoir is full, go to step  4.
    2. NOTE: Perform the following step before starting engine.

  2. Recheck Oil Reservoir
    Check and record oil level in reservoir. Allow vehicle to sit overnight and recheck oil level in reservoir. If oil level changed, go to next step. If oil level did not change, see NO-START/NORMAL CRANK, ERRATIC START OR CRANK, HARD START OR LONG CRANK OR STALLS AFTER START  symptom.

  3. Check For Oil Leaks

    Check engine front cover, valley and oil reservoir for leakage. Remove high pressure oil pump. See HIGH PRESSURE OIL PUMP under FUEL SYSTEMS in appropriate REMOVAL & INSTALLATION article. Check for internal leak past high pressure oil pump gasket surfaces. Remove oil reservoir cover. Check oil reservoir for casting porosity. Repair as necessary and verify repair. If oil leak is not present, reinstall all components and go to next step.

  4. Check Oil Pressure At Reservoir

    Remove oil reservoir fill plug or oil pressure unit. Install oil pressure gauge and measure oil pressure at idle with engine at normal operating temperature. If oil pressure is more than 12 psi (83 kPa), go to next step. If oil pressure is 12 psi (83 kPa) or less, replace oil pump and verify repair.
    5. NOTE: Low oil pressure from engine oil pump can also cause low oil levels in reservoir.

  5. Check Engine Oil Pressure
    Measure engine oil pressure at test port located on left side of block above oil pan rail. If oil pressure reading at test port is 8 psi (55 kPa) more than pressure reading at reservoir, repair cause of pressure drop between main oil gallery and reservoir (rear plug for tappet gallery or tappet out of bore). If oil pressure reading at test port is 8 psi (55 kPa) or less than pressure reading at reservoir, repair cause of low engine oil pressure (pump regulator valve). Verify repair.
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