Oil Pressure
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Fort Worth, Texas
Oil Pressure
Over time it seems my pressure has been slowly creeping down. Now before you ask no I do not know what the actual pressure is since Ford put in a gauge that just has a "NORMAL" range and an "L" and "H" for low and high. After driving the truck for 17 years I just know where the gauge should be. I bought a cheap mechanicl gauge to plumb in and test to see what the actual pressure is.
My questions are.......
1) what is the pressure supposed to be new and what is acceptable on the low side to not cause head damage?
2) how difficult is it to jack the motor up and remove it? Do I need to drop the tranny? Do I need to remove the exhaust?
3) what are the odds its just a clogged screen?
My questions are.......
1) what is the pressure supposed to be new and what is acceptable on the low side to not cause head damage?
2) how difficult is it to jack the motor up and remove it? Do I need to drop the tranny? Do I need to remove the exhaust?
3) what are the odds its just a clogged screen?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,538
Likes: 54
From: Des Moines
What year is the truck & motor?
Depending on your mechanical knowledge it's not that difficult of a job to get the motor up. However, my recommendation is to completely remove the engine, here's why:
Some months ago I needed to replace the oil pan gasket on my 5.8. I had to lift the motor to do so. With the exception of disconnecting the A/C and power steering lines [or just unbolting the pump depending on how you prefer to do it], everything that needed to be done to pull the motor was already done.
I had to drop the pump to replace the gasket and it was a royal PITA to mount back up with the engine in place, because I had to simultaneously hold the pan up and try to mount the oil pump. Plus I had to line up the oil pump driveshaft into the distributor hole while doing so, which made it even more of a PITA.
Depending on your mechanical knowledge it's not that difficult of a job to get the motor up. However, my recommendation is to completely remove the engine, here's why:
Some months ago I needed to replace the oil pan gasket on my 5.8. I had to lift the motor to do so. With the exception of disconnecting the A/C and power steering lines [or just unbolting the pump depending on how you prefer to do it], everything that needed to be done to pull the motor was already done.
I had to drop the pump to replace the gasket and it was a royal PITA to mount back up with the engine in place, because I had to simultaneously hold the pan up and try to mount the oil pump. Plus I had to line up the oil pump driveshaft into the distributor hole while doing so, which made it even more of a PITA.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 425
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From: Fort Worth, Texas
Mine is a 94 4.9L and I have read but have no actual knowledge that you can remove the fan and pully from the alternator, unbolt the motor mounts, jack up the motor and slide wood blocks in the motor mounts. Then take the pan loose and reach around (sounds perverted but hey) to take the pickup tube off the pump. Then you can remove the pan and work on the pump. Liike I said I have no first hand knowledge and thats why I was asking in here. If the plan is to totally pull the motor its going to the shop. I know how but do not have the time since this is a daily driver and I cannot afford the trip down memory lane.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Fort Worth, Texas
OK so here is the data. I purchased a cheap mechanical gauge to run for a while and test my oil pressure under normal conditions. The absolute lowest it ever showed was 28psi and the highest about 52psi.
Engine cold at start up 48-52 psi
Engine warm at idle not in gear 36-38 psi
Engine idle hot in gear 28psi
Driving normal through neighborhoods 36 psi
Driving down the interstate at 65mph 44 psi
These numbers all look good to me so I am probably looking at a bad pressure sending unit on the pold gauge. If not may be the gauge itself which I believe is part of the cluster. Anyone else agree or am I off base here.
Engine cold at start up 48-52 psi
Engine warm at idle not in gear 36-38 psi
Engine idle hot in gear 28psi
Driving normal through neighborhoods 36 psi
Driving down the interstate at 65mph 44 psi
These numbers all look good to me so I am probably looking at a bad pressure sending unit on the pold gauge. If not may be the gauge itself which I believe is part of the cluster. Anyone else agree or am I off base here.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, Texas
OK last piece of data I drove an hour and a half on the interstate today and when I stopped at a red light if was at 16-18 psi. This is on the low side to me. When driving it stays 34-44 pretty much most of the time. The only thing I am currently doing is I tried some of that Valvoline Next Genoil and will switch back next week when I change the oil. If fact I may go to full synthetic like in all my other cars.
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