Can a leaking oil pressure pipe cause a loud tick?

[3D FFR]

So I finally got my plates yesterday so I could drive my car for the first time!

But... When I got on the road and noticed I was leaking oil. I thought it was from the oil filter seal. An oil change shop was near and a limped it to their. Turns out is leaking from the pipe that extends out from the block for the oil pressure sensor. So I put a half a quart back in to top it back off and headed back home. Soon after I left the motor the motor died and I had to pull over to the side of the road. I was not sure what happened, it took a while to crank back over and when it finally started it had a loud metal tick inside of the engine. The sound seems to be coming from the center are of the engine. I took of the valve covers this morning, but everything to seemed to be in order, no metal or broken springs.

I have the X302 from Ford Racing. I did call the ford tech support line, he told me I was running to low of an RPM. I was trying not to push it, but he said to run it above 2500. While I was reaching 4 and 5000 rpm on a few shifts, most of my drive was under 2000.

So I am looking for a shop to take it to, but until I do that I was hoping someone might have some insight to my issue.

[Tocoti]

Can you post a video/ sound clip?

[Norm B]

More info on your set up would help diagnose the problem. If you are running a mechanical fuel pump then a failure of the spring in the pump can cause your engine to stall and a loud tick when it does run.

Good Luck
Norm

[3D FFR]

Thanks, I am unable to start it now since we drained the oil out to check the filter. But a local guy who runs a race engine shop stopped by. He thinks that a small bolt has fallen into the motor though the carb. It must have been sitting the the 2nd barrel since I have not opened the car up yet. We are going to trailer the car over to his shop so can pull the engine and tear it down. I guess I can only blame myself if that is the cause. I have no idea how anything got in the engine like that, but I guess I can say is O'well.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I have the X302 from Ford Racing.

You realize that the Ford Racing X302 has a warranty, right?


...a local guy who runs a race engine shop stopped by... We are going to trailer the car over to his shop so can pull the engine and tear it down.

You further realize that as soon as he cracks it open that warranty is voided and it's all on you, right? I think I'd be having some more conversations with Ford Racing before proceeding.

Jeff

[3D FFR]

I called the ford tech line and talked to someone, he was the one who told me to take the valve covers while on the phone. After finding no issues, he said to take to to a shop and look into it, and let them know what the diagnosis was. But his diagnosis was a bolt/nut sitting on top of a piston. So overall that sounds like something I would have to fix regardless. But if it turns out to be engine build issue, I could call them back and let them determine if I need to send it back to Michigan. He did say that over 95% of the engines sent back are install issues or someone who floated a valve. And if something dropped into it, and we can pull it out and get it put back together without having to change out a piston or other parts it would be cheaper then shipping cost of shipping to send the engine back.

The guy who is going to fix the engine is highly recommended and builds the race engines for many of the cars at the local speedway here.

So I have 2 issues, that brass colored pipe holding the oil pressure censor is failing, and (maybe) a bolt/nut fell into the motor. I am trying not to think about the fact if the pipe didn't fail, I won't have been tinkering in that area trying to figure out what was leaking... "O' Fiddlesticks!"...

Thanks again for the help guys.

[Tocoti]

I wouldn't be concerned with the leak. A half qt is not bad. If you had a nut/ bolt fall through and it got caught on an intake valve it's possible it could have caused the stall and no start because with a valve open you can't get vacuum. If you managed to crank it enough to dislodge the nut into the cylinder, it has done some damage now. Don't be upset. Fix it and forget it.