I have a 2006 f-250 with 5.4L 3valve engine.

I was worried about my variable valve timing system because my engine sounds pretty rough and I hear a lot of valve chatter. I know that low oil pressure can be a big problem on these engines.

Here is a pic of my oil pressure gauge. Does this look about right to you guys? This was taken while the truck was warm while parked.

 

Considering your needle is right in the middle, I would assume so. That said, that gauge may just be a "dummy light" and read as normal above a certain pressure. I am not too sure though.

 

engine fully warmed up... looks normal...

 

I use Lucas oil stabilizer to quiet down valve noise. I uses 1 qt stabilizer with 5 quarts oil.

I believe the oil pressure gauge is a dummy, just like my Ranger and F250. If it has more than 8 psi (or something like that) it will read right in the middle. You could add an aftermarket oil pressure gauge if you are concerned.

 

I am 99.9% sure that it is indeed 8psi, at least that's how it is in my bronco.

 

You guys are correct, the oil pressure "gauge" isn't a real gauge. It's controlled by a two-position switch. Above the threshhold, which is around 8 PSI IIRC, the gauge reads normal. Below that it reads zero.

The truck has no way of measuring or displaying oil pressure.

 

I did the same and 5k miles later I lost a hydraulic timing chain tensioner. Really should stick to the straight 5W30 on these OHC motors. heck in most of my older engines I run straight 15W40 to keep them quiet. Just an idea.

 

It's very useful to know this. Thanks for the info guys.

I cannot believe ford is using such bs practices. I'm very disappointed.

 

Consumers forced Ford (and others) to do this. Folks just couldn't accept that oil pressure fluctuates with temperature, rpm, etc. and would come in for service to fix the imagined issues.

 

A fairly easy and reasonably cheap way to check the oil pressure is to buy an aftermarket mechanical gauge and temporarily replace the electric sending unit. I did this on my 89 Ranger when the oil pressure sender/on-off switch failed and dumped all my oil out, FYI pick a better spot than I did to mount the gauge.... Had to cycle the windshield wipers to see the dumb thing.

 

Setting up a gauge cluster of your own is usually a good if you aren't relying on warranty.
If you are working on your truck, setup monitoring you trust.

I'm my own mechanic as much as I can be, I'm saving up to gauge everything I can. On My PSD, it's probably pushing $1000 for good monitoring & 1/2 way decent mounting...

 

Fords have been that way for a LONG time. My '00 Excursion had the dummy gauge, not sure about OBS trucks.

I really don't see the need to monitor oil pressure. My boat has a gauge and I really don't pay attention to it. Some manufacturers use a real gauge though. I nearly bought a Ram 1500 before I settled on the F150, and that had a digital oil pressure, oil temperature, coolant temperature, and transmission temperature in the message center. I'm more worried about temperatures than I am pressures, and I wish my new Ford would tell me coolant temp!

 

dumb lights/gauges.. and the removal of automatic transmission oil level sticks in cars...

for oil.. install a "T" fitting.. keeping factory sending unit and your aftermarket gauge...
otherwise you may have issues with Computers...
I have installed a volt gauge. in my "F".... oil gauge soon.
others to follow. as extra money permits.

 

As said the factory gauge is pretty much worthless. If you have a lot of noise around the cylinder heads your cam phasers may need to be replaced.I'd recommend putting on a real oil pressure gauge to at least check your oil pressure.

I put a full sweep electrical gauge on my truck years ago and it is nice to have. A welded up a fitting using some schedule 40 stainless pipe fittings so I could use both the sending units so the both the factory and aftermarket gauges work.

 

I too am amazed that a major automotive manufacture would put such a worthless monitoring system on engines that are regularly worked very hard like most Super Duty's are. Oil pressure is one of the vital signs of an engine.

Is there another accessible portal in the oiling system that a mechanical gauge can be hooked into besides where the OE sender is hooked in. I don't work on modern engines like I once did back when they were far more simple so I'm pretty much in the dark. Back in the day there were probably 2 or 3 different portals that a mechanical gauge could be hooked into.