I just got my '91 pickup back from the shop yesterday and now i'm having a few more problems.

Now everytime i shut my door I hear a rattle that i don't think was there before i took it in to the shop. It also happens when i slide my seat all the way up . It sounds like a wire hanger or something underneath the driver side.

I was just going to try to tighten some bolts underneath, but i noticed something else today. I was in a drive thru during peak lunchtime traffic for a while today. I noticed that my oil level was dropping almost all the way down. Every time i would give it some gas and move up in line, it would go back up some. Then when we left and started riding, the oil level went almost all the way back to the normal middle level but not quite.

It doesn't look like we're leaking oil on the ground at all, i'm about to go out and check the dipstick.
We got some new break pads, is it normal for them to squeak a little?

Here's a list of things that the mechanic did:

- Oil change including all the normal lubing and air filter change
- Replaced a vaccuum hose of some sort
- Replaced a Radiator hose or some hose having to do with the coolant
- New tire
- New break pads

1991 deluxe extended cab toyota pickup
2wd
4 cyl
manual

i just checked the dipstick and it's showing the oil level is full.

so does the oil guage just do that on these old pickups?

also what precautions should i take when degreasing and pressure washing off my engine?
it's a 22re

I'll tell you what I've been telling everybody. If the shop screwed it up, make them fix it! Take it back and tell them it wasn't doing any of this until you brought it in and you want them to fix it, and don't let them talk you into paying! (They WILL try.)

James,

Your oil gauge does not provide the level of the oil. It provides the pressure.

It's completely normal for it to be low when idling, and high when accelerating.

When the RPM's are high, the oil pumps faster and there's more pressure.

Be concerned when you are driving (normally) and the pressure suddenly drops. Then you should stop before your engine ceases.

thanks for the replies! much appreciated.
that makes sense about the pressure. I've noticed that when i'm not giving it gas,
the pressure goes low while going down the highway, until i give it more gas.

i found the culprit of the weird rattling sound. it looks like it's a protective piece of sheet metal
right under the driver side. It just rattles a little when the door is shut kind of hard. I don't think it's anything to worry about.

while i was under the car i did notice that the exhaust (i think) has some rusted out holes and stuff in it.
would it improve perfomance, gas economy, or anything else to replace it ?
i hear flowmaster is good, any thoughts?

On your exhaust, when there's an excessive amount of holes you will actually hear your truck louder...a more "throaty" sound.

Personally, I would leave it until you hear an audible difference...and even then you can still drive it for quite some time before things start to fall off.

Replacing your exhaust (meaning everything "south" of your catalytic converter) is extrememly easy. U-clamps, muffler cement...maybe a die-grinder to grind off a couple of bolts.

On this truck, you won't notice any fuel differences. In fact...the more holes in your muffler theoretically the better the mileage, but you won't be able to "measure" a practical difference.

Just drive....replace when it starts sounding "throaty".

I used to have an '85 4Runner with a 22R-E and it was perfectly normal for the oil pressure gauge to move depending upon rpm.
When I first got my F-150 I found it kind of weird because the oil pressure gauge NEVER moves. It doesnt matter if its at idle or at 5,000 rpm, its always in the exact same spot. It makes me wonder just how accurate Ford's gauges are.

it's been sounding kind of throaty and loud ever since i bought it a few weeks ago.

also, i read someone's recommendations for some mods that they did on their 92 pickup to give it more horsepower and was wondering if anyone can explain these mods in depth...here's what he said: "Put a turbo, lightweight 9 lb flywheel, exhaust, header, intake system, pulley, and some cams."

he said that if you do that, " you have a 2700 lb 200 + hp rocket ship. "

the reason i'm looking into this is that there are some hills around where i live...and when i get onto a highway, i can't get up to 55mph fast at all - and drivers are riding my tail pretty hard. i'm looking for some simple ways to gain some power.

What irritates me is when you take it to get fixed, they fix it. You pick it up...PAY FOR IT....and it's not fixed. SO they charge you again.....grrr.

Make them do it right. If you are pushed to pay, write "Under Protest" in the memo of the check. Then you can fight it later.

i think it was mostly all in my head. (the stuff that i thought was wrong with it after picking it up from the shop)

the oil pressure guage is supposed to do that. and the rattling i heard isn't anything wrong (i don't think).
i was just being overly paranoid and i've never owned one of these old trucks.

if you want simple mods then yeah your exhaust as in headers, high flow cat, and magnaflow. Flowmaster is all for sound, it doesn't flow that good at all. Get a cool air intake, that should get you a descent boost. enough that you would tell thats for sure. if you want cheap then leave out the headers.

b3otch,

thanks for the reply. is there any chance you could link me to the specific parts that you would get?
OR list the exact brand names and any other details you can think of.

i have no idea about this kind of stuff.

thanks for the heads up on the flowmaster stuff. i'm not into loud stuff.
i just want something to boost performance.