i have a 96 400 expolorer i had to replace the throttle cable.well when i was taking off the old cable the part that screws into the top of the oil pump broke.so i just left that part of the cable hang down and tie straped to the frame.now my ? is i know that eventually the oil pump will burn up but as long as i mix my gas and oil the motor will be ok right?how long will it take for the pump to go out completly and will the pump hurt the motor in any way and after it goes out can i just pull it and put the block plate on it ?

 

if your going to premix, you should take the pump out and but a block off kit in. imo.

 

i know i should buy the block off kit but for the time being will it really hurt anything just dont have the extra $$$$ right now

 

that i really dont know for sure. i know ive read where some have left it in but it seems to m ew/out lube it will start to do damage to the pump gear. but thats just a guess.

 

yeah thats what i heard but if thats all and it don'tt hurt the motor and as long as i mix it should be alright? the pump gear is in the pump houseing and not in the crank case right? it should just be a shaft coming out the pump ?

 

The oil pump is driven off the counter balance which is technically in the bottom end. However, it is located all by itself in a cavity that should not damage too much when it breaks apart. The worse thing that could happen is the gear will break apart and seize the bearing for the counter balance. This in turn would either break the water pump impeller off the opposite end of the counter balance shaft or start to affect the amount of coolant that it is actually pumping. You'll be ok as long as you run it in sub-zero temps all day. I'm sure the gear that drives the counter balance couldn't possibly affect the crankshaft in anyway. Afterall, the crank seals, bearings, and the connecting rod lower bearing probably need to be replaced soon if it is a 1996.

Trust me.... just buy the block off kit or fix your oil pump before it burns a hole in your wallet.