Question2001 Hyundai Santa Fe 2WD, Automatic, 52,000 mi. Engine was run out if oil and siezed. Two connecting rod bearings spun, one of which siezed the engine, bent the connecting rod, and bent the crank .020". All three balance shaft bearings spun also. Crank was repaired, all main bearing clearances are .0010"-.0015", new oversize rod bearings, a new front plate with oil pump was installed, along with new balance shaft bearings. Each time it has been run, the oil pressure is around 30-50 psi with cold oil but gradually reduces to 2-4 psi with a direct reading gauge as the oil warms. I tried using 10W-40 oil, OEM oil filter, OEM PC, adding washers to the oil relief spring (as much a 7mm!), and even replacing a quart of the oil with Lucas oil stabilizer....all of these things combined gave me around a .5 PSI increase. There are no external leaks, the engine runs perfectly with no oil evidence on the spark plugs. During a 10 mile or so drive at 70 mph, the oil light flickered and came on steady. The next time it was started, two days later, the oil pressure light came on after only a couple minutes of running. I can only think the problem is somewhere in the head. I have yet to plastigauge the cam journals. I am stumped!
AnswerSorry about the delay in answering but I have discussed this with the other guys in my shop and there have been a couple of suggestions. Yes there could be a problem in the head espessially if the car ran out of oil as you said. The only other thing would be a gasket problrm at either thr pick up screen or between the pump housing and block.
Sorry I can't be of more help and again sorry about the delay.
