All I notice is that the oil pressure guage is at zero! Up to today, everything was working

I just had the car checked for a summer tune-up and check up and according to my reliable mechanic, everything was working great! In fact I brought it to be checked specifically with respect to the oil metering pump (the oil comsumption had dropped) but the omp was fine.

Also, as I crank to try and start the car, I hear a knocking?

Anyone that can offer help...Id really appreciate it

 

From just that it sounds like the engine is flooded.

The engine turns over when you cranck it? Just won't fire up?

 

even though the oil pressure guage is at zero?

I'll try to unflood it an see what happens.

 

When does the oil pressure read zero? It jumps up an down when you are driving. If your on the throttle or not. It will read next to nothing at idle. (on mazdas joke of a gauge system)

 

Do you know how to unflood it?

 

Yeah I do. But another thing, it doesn't "sound" flooded (although I smell the gas)....maybe I'm just being paranoid, I'll unflooded it tomorrow and see what happens. As for the guage, just as I'm about to turn the key, like when all the other guages move (fuel, voltmeter etc) it stays put....although I'm not sure it's any different, never have paid attention to that guage until now.

Thanks for the help as of far!!

 

Check the sending unit. Since it's under the oil filler tube, oil that does not make it into the tube gets dropped onto the sending unit causeing a bad connection. Slide the connector off and clean the terminal. Use some good contact grease and re-install the wire.

I did this recently on my TII, and my oil gauge reads perfectly now, 30 PSI at idle and 60 PSI at 3K RPM's.

 

I'm pretty sure the oil pressure gauge will read nothing if the engine isn't on. Anyone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Yeah the oil pressure gauge wont give a reading unless the car is running. I couldnt get my car to start either....try unfloding it first if the doesn't work make sure you are getting spark. It sounds like you are getting fuel because you can smell it out of the exhaust. If you aren't getting spark, which was what happened to my car, I had to change the crank angle sensor. Oh and also you might want to get a compression test.
Chris