Oil Pressure
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New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 12
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Oil Pressure
ok I would like to start out by saying thank you to everyone that has helped me.
now i need more help.
i was driving my Bronco the other day and glanced down at the oil pressure gauge and it was reading low, i checked the oil and it is full and still clean(i just got a oil change) any ideas on what it could be??
now i need more help.
i was driving my Bronco the other day and glanced down at the oil pressure gauge and it was reading low, i checked the oil and it is full and still clean(i just got a oil change) any ideas on what it could be??
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 2
Oil Pressure
WK, the first thing to check is the connection to the sender unit. Make sure it's clean and tight. The second thing to suspect is the sender itself. If it's convenient, you can check the actual pressure with a mechanical gauge, or simply replace the sender (they're under $10).
Next try changing the oil filer. If this dosen't help, and the oil pressure is truly low, it might be a clogged oil pump pickup screen or something internal.
Sometimes all my gauges will read higher/lower after long interstate driving. On mine, the cause is the instrument voltage regulator, but it's too much trouble to change it for now, so I just live with it.....
Next try changing the oil filer. If this dosen't help, and the oil pressure is truly low, it might be a clogged oil pump pickup screen or something internal.
Sometimes all my gauges will read higher/lower after long interstate driving. On mine, the cause is the instrument voltage regulator, but it's too much trouble to change it for now, so I just live with it.....
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
Oil Pressure
Fords are known for having this issue. mine does this as well as almost every other joe on this forum at one time or another. if replacing the solenoid doesnt fix the problem than just plan on installing a mechanical gauge on there. Now my truck has well over 160k on it so im sure my low pressure is a number of things such as bad bearings and maybe a clogged pickup tube.
good luck
good luck
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Oil Pressure
Loneranger said it best. Check the actual pressure with a mechanical gauge. The stock Ford resistance-type sending units are vauge at best when they are brand new much less when they have aged and heated up and cooled down a few hundred times. It boils down to trusting the oil pressure not the electrical interpretation of the oil pressure.
If the pressure is truly low, refer to the advice already given.
If the pressure is truly low, refer to the advice already given.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 234
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From: mpls Usa
Oil Pressure
If your oil pressure is truly in the toilet I tjink you would know it because the engine would sound like an old singer sewing machine or worse. I believe it would be caused by, among other things, the hydraulic lifers losing oil pressure and collapsing.
If you aren't hearing ny unusual noise I think the sender would mosyt likely be suspect.
Craterjoe
If you aren't hearing ny unusual noise I think the sender would mosyt likely be suspect.
Craterjoe
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 111
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From: Madison, AL
Oil Pressure
If it does turn out to be sludge, don't forget that it's not only in the oil pan but in the lifter galley and the top of the cylinder heads as well. It's a mess.
You can always use the GOB (good ol' boy) method of cleaning out an engine. Drain the oil but leave the filter alone. Dump in a can of STP and top if off with kerosene. Then start the thing up and let it idle for a while. Don't apply any load to it. After 20-30 minutes, drain the crankcase and discard the filter. Fill it up with oil and add a new filter and run that for about an hour, then change the oil and filter again. Should be good as new! The rumor is that is why STP was developed.
I've seen that done to more engines than I care to admit (mainly GM products, though ...
). I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT!! I just thought I'd mention it for the record.
You can always use the GOB (good ol' boy) method of cleaning out an engine. Drain the oil but leave the filter alone. Dump in a can of STP and top if off with kerosene. Then start the thing up and let it idle for a while. Don't apply any load to it. After 20-30 minutes, drain the crankcase and discard the filter. Fill it up with oil and add a new filter and run that for about an hour, then change the oil and filter again. Should be good as new! The rumor is that is why STP was developed.
I've seen that done to more engines than I care to admit (mainly GM products, though ...
). I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT!! I just thought I'd mention it for the record.