Oil Pressure
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New User
Joined: Oct 2001
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Oil Pressure
I have a 1986 F150, 302 automat. trans. When the engine is cold, the oil pressure is O.K. After the engine worms up, my pressure reduces. At 142000 miles(I don't know the history of the truck), is it O.K. to flush the engine with an oil flush, replacing the filter/oil? Could this clean the screen and increase the oil flow or would it cause more problems?
Please advise...
Please advise...
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: utica n.y., u.s.a.
Oil Pressure
dont take this as a sure thing because i am not a mecanic and havent gotten extensively into these things but i had a similar problem in mine where once it warmede up the pressure would drop off to nothing on the factory guage ,and an external guage...and i went through all the deal of replacing the pump with the 302 still in the truck and the tranny still in place too,and it wasnt fun,and the problem still persisted afterwards only under load though (in neutral and park it was good and when driving )but idling in drive at a stoplight it would drop on mine ...wow i got a lil off topic
anyway what im getting at is i was told by many people that it sounded like my bearings were worn bad (i believe theyre called rods and mains?)i never had the money to get it fixed right and dont have the location ,tools,or knowledge to do it myself sooo i just kept an eye on it and whenb it would drop at a stoplight i would kick it into neutral til the light turned green and then i went on my way
anyway what im getting at is i was told by many people that it sounded like my bearings were worn bad (i believe theyre called rods and mains?)i never had the money to get it fixed right and dont have the location ,tools,or knowledge to do it myself sooo i just kept an eye on it and whenb it would drop at a stoplight i would kick it into neutral til the light turned green and then i went on my way
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 60
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From: Raleigh, NC
Oil Pressure
What oil are you using?
It's probably not so much a clogged pick-up screen but just some extra bearing clearance due to the milage. I would be hesitant to use solvents or oil flush products on a high milage engine. It might just loosen up alot of sludge and make things worse.
If the engine is running good and doesn't burn oil or make any knocking sounds, I would just run a heavier oil like 20W-50 and run it 'till it's time for a rebuild.
Also - you may want to install a mechanical pressure guage so you know exactly what your oil pressure is. The factory gauge is not the most accurate.
-John
It's probably not so much a clogged pick-up screen but just some extra bearing clearance due to the milage. I would be hesitant to use solvents or oil flush products on a high milage engine. It might just loosen up alot of sludge and make things worse.
If the engine is running good and doesn't burn oil or make any knocking sounds, I would just run a heavier oil like 20W-50 and run it 'till it's time for a rebuild.
Also - you may want to install a mechanical pressure guage so you know exactly what your oil pressure is. The factory gauge is not the most accurate.
-John
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Oil Pressure
I agree, I wouldn't flush it. All that junk will clog the screen. The aftermarket oil guage is a good idea too. As the other poster said, it's probably just an indication of the condition of the engine. You can also look around the dipstick and the aircleaner, and the valve cover breather. If you have been having problems with the dipstick pushing out, and alot of oil inthe aircleaner breather, then it's another indication that the engine has wear. A little oil in the aircleaner is nothing to worry about though.
But it all depends on how you use the truck. If you use it occasionally, on local trips for hauling or just cruising around, your engine will probably last a long time, even with the low oil pressure.
But it all depends on how you use the truck. If you use it occasionally, on local trips for hauling or just cruising around, your engine will probably last a long time, even with the low oil pressure.
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Joined: Oct 2001
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Oil Pressure
My brother-in-law put rotella(spelling wrong), but I just boat Castrol 20/50 to change this evening.
As mentioned above, today, stopped as a light, the pressure dropped to nothing. I put it in Nutural and the pressure went back up.
I drive it daily, but it's only back and forth to work.
What about a oil treatment?
Thanks guys.
FORD(first on race day).
As mentioned above, today, stopped as a light, the pressure dropped to nothing. I put it in Nutural and the pressure went back up.
I drive it daily, but it's only back and forth to work.
What about a oil treatment?
Thanks guys.
FORD(first on race day).
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
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From: Memphis, TN
Oil Pressure
Check the last 3 pics in this album. They're of the 5.8L from my brother-in-law's '93 Bronco that he bought used last year. He had the oil changed Monday and it started tapping hard. I'm pretty sure Dippy Lube put 5W30 in it (a 10-year old truck with 140Kmi 
) and it loosened up enough of this crap to thoroughly clog a few lifters. Even after I changed it to 20W50 (after only a few miles of driving) and then changed 2qts of THAT to MMO, it was still toast. So he had it changed by a local Jasper dealer and this is what they found inside. The previous owner was a medical student who rewarded himself for graduating with a new Land Rover - I hope he takes better care of it, or everyone's medical expenses are going up to pay for it! 
) and it loosened up enough of this crap to thoroughly clog a few lifters. Even after I changed it to 20W50 (after only a few miles of driving) and then changed 2qts of THAT to MMO, it was still toast. So he had it changed by a local Jasper dealer and this is what they found inside. The previous owner was a medical student who rewarded himself for graduating with a new Land Rover - I hope he takes better care of it, or everyone's medical expenses are going up to pay for it!
