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2.3L Oil Pump - is it electric?

crenca

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This morning I noticed the oil pressure (using ProCal oil pressure gauge) rises and falls based on throttle position and not rpm. I assume the oil pump for the 2.3L is electric, or perhaps a phased chain (I have seen it mentioned in some threads that it is chain driven) that the computer adjusts based on throttle position?

Another thing that might indicate it is an electric pump is that the ProCal gauges continue reporting for 30 seconds after key off. The oil pressure drops to 13 and stays there for that 30 seconds, possibly indicating the pump is still circulating - that would be nice (for turbo bearings for example). However perhaps it is just a quirk of the sensor/electronics and the oil pressure is actually zero??
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PWillette

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This morning I noticed the oil pressure (using ProCal oil pressure gauge) rises and falls based on throttle position and not rpm. I assume the oil pump for the 2.3L is electric, or perhaps a phased chain (I have seen it mentioned in some threads that it is chain driven) that the computer adjusts based on throttle position?

Another thing that might indicate it is an electric pump is that the ProCal gauges continue reporting for 30 seconds after key off. The oil pressure drops to 13 and stays there for that 30 seconds, possibly indicating the pump is still circulating - that would be nice (for turbo bearings for example). However perhaps it is just a quirk of the sensor/electronics and the oil pressure is actually zero??
I do believe the oil pump is mechanical, driven off the crank shaft.
 

Brian_B

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I don’t know this for sure - but could be an electronic controlled bypass or pressure control and that is what you are seeing.

Could also be something with the turbo spooling, or an electric aux pump to pre:post lube the turbo or something

Lots of things can affect pressure. It is an interesting observation though
 

Ducati1098

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I do believe the oil pump is mechanical, driven off the crank shaft.
Yep, mechanical like @PWillette said.
It’s part of the balance shaft assembly. The oil pump is gear driven off the crankshaft.
 
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Yep, mechanical like @PWillette said.
It’s part of the balance shaft assembly. The oil pump is gear driven off the crankshaft.
Any speculation as to the what/how of increased pressure based on throttle position (rpm agnostic)? I think @Brian_B might be on to something as it was mid 40's under light load, but get into the boost and it shoots up to high 50's/low 60's (all after getting oil up to temp - 180 or so).

Also, anyone have any experience/opinion about this sort of 'upgrade':

https://mountuneusa.com/products/mountune-high-pressure-oil-pump-20l23l-ecoboost

With the conditions of off roading (i.e. much time spent near idling/part throttle at slow speeds, leading to increased operating temperatures) it stands to reason that more circulation might be advantageous. Not sure of the correlation between increased pressure (+10% is what the above part provides) and circulation/lower temps...
 

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Ducati1098

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Any speculation as to the what/how of increased pressure based on throttle position (rpm agnostic)? I think @Brian_B might be on to something as it was mid 40's under light load, but get into the boost and it shoots up to high 50's/low 60's (all after getting oil up to temp - 180 or so).

Also, anyone have any experience/opinion about this sort of 'upgrade':

https://mountuneusa.com/products/mountune-high-pressure-oil-pump-20l23l-ecoboost

With the conditions of off roading (i.e. much time spent near idling/part throttle at slow speeds, leading to increased operating temperatures) it stands to reason that more circulation might be advantageous. Not sure of the correlation between increased pressure (+10% is what the above part provides) and circulation/lower temps...
It's a variable vane oil pump regulated by a pressure control solenoid.
Doesn't use the one that you posted, nor would it work.
 

Brian_B

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Any speculation as to the what/how of increased pressure based on throttle position (rpm agnostic)? I think @Brian_B might be on to something as it was mid 40's under light load, but get into the boost and it shoots up to high 50's/low 60's (all after getting oil up to temp - 180 or so).

Also, anyone have any experience/opinion about this sort of 'upgrade':

https://mountuneusa.com/products/mountune-high-pressure-oil-pump-20l23l-ecoboost

With the conditions of off roading (i.e. much time spent near idling/part throttle at slow speeds, leading to increased operating temperatures) it stands to reason that more circulation might be advantageous. Not sure of the correlation between increased pressure (+10% is what the above part provides) and circulation/lower temps...
These may be the most ridiculously inadequate installation instructions I've ever seen - but this indicates it's chain driven from ... probably cam shaft if I had to guess



Here's a better pic, stolen from Livernois

Ford Bronco 2.3L Oil Pump - is it electric? ginal_P04_LPP701125_main_w760_h500_q75_t1640184962


So that would be RPM-driven, but it has an internal spring that sets the output pressure (or at least that aftermarket one does, I don't know if the stock one does or not, but ... probably works the same). Nothing electric there, but that spring may have some bounce/oscillation to it, not sure. That probably isn't what you are seeing.

There is usually an oil filter bypass for cold startups, and a lot of other things in that oil loop too.

The 2.7 mentions a belt-driven oil pump with electronic pressure modulation (my guess is solenoid operated bypass, similar to how a turbo wastegate works - but I don't know) - I wouldn't be surprised if the 2.3 has a similar electronic modulation as well.

Interested to hear an authoritative answer - I'm just speculating.
 

Ducati1098

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These may be the most ridiculously inadequate installation instructions I've ever seen - but this indicates it's chain driven from ... probably cam shaft if I had to guess



Here's a better pic, stolen from Livernois

ginal_P04_LPP701125_main_w760_h500_q75_t1640184962.webp
Ford hasn't used this style for the 2.3 since the Ranger came back out in 2019
 
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crenca

crenca

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These may be the most ridiculously inadequate installation instructions I've ever seen
LOL I was thinking the same thing! I just choose this product because it came up first in a Google search. Probably not going to go down this road.

Nothing electric there, but that spring may have some bounce/oscillation to it, not sure. That probably isn't what you are seeing.
That makes sense.
 

Ducati1098

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Oil pump/balance shaft assembly bolted to the bottom of the engine:
Ford Bronco 2.3L Oil Pump - is it electric? 1735930727840-fy

Ford Bronco 2.3L Oil Pump - is it electric? 1735930891661-qd


Then you can see the large gear on the crankshaft in this picture which spins the pump:
Ford Bronco 2.3L Oil Pump - is it electric? 1735930786924-uc
 
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PWillette

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Oil pump/balance shaft assembly bolted to the bottom of the engine:
1735930727840-fy.jpg

1735930891661-qd.jpg


Then you can see the large gear on the crankshaft is this picture which spins the pump:
1735930786924-uc.jpg
That's a funky looking critter. How does it pick up the oil...the round opening/hole on the bottom?
 
 





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