Low Oil Pressure
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25
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From: Pacific NW
Low Oil Pressure
Hi Guys,
For the last couple of months my oil pressure gauge has been reading a little low. One of the guys at work(who does alot of work on his own Fords) has told me that it seems like a faulty gauge because when driving down the Freeway at a level speed, the gauge will move up and down. The last few days it has been staying pretty low, but I notice nothing else No lack of power, no decreased gas mileage. I know that the best thing to do would be a mechanical gauge and hook it up and see what the true pressure is, but I can't really afford to get one right now. I am just wondering what other signs I may look for if I have a real problem with the oil pressure? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
For the last couple of months my oil pressure gauge has been reading a little low. One of the guys at work(who does alot of work on his own Fords) has told me that it seems like a faulty gauge because when driving down the Freeway at a level speed, the gauge will move up and down. The last few days it has been staying pretty low, but I notice nothing else No lack of power, no decreased gas mileage. I know that the best thing to do would be a mechanical gauge and hook it up and see what the true pressure is, but I can't really afford to get one right now. I am just wondering what other signs I may look for if I have a real problem with the oil pressure? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Low Oil Pressure
Actually your gauge is little more than a glorified idiot light. It is not a gauge at all. The sender is a switch that closes at 6psi (according to the 1995 Ford truck factory manual) and then sends a signal through a resistor to the gauge. It will give you a middle of the road reading and may vary a little bit over time but means nothing. Like you said you should get a quality oil pressure gauge to determine the real pressure. According to the book the 5.0 should have a hot oil pressure of 40-60 psi at 2000 rpm. Here's what the book has to say about it: "The oil pressure switch controls the magnetic oil pressure gauge's pointer position. The oil pressure switch closes under normal engine operating conditions (oil pressure above 42 kPa [6 lb/sq in]). The oil pressure switch opens with the engine (6007) off and no oil pressure."
Best of luck, Ben
1995 Bronco XLT, 302, E4OD, 31" BFG AT's
Best of luck, Ben
1995 Bronco XLT, 302, E4OD, 31" BFG AT's
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Lee's Summit MO
Low Oil Pressure
A member on here described what he did on his own truck to make the dummy guage a real guage, by doing a little splicing and rewireing. I'm real interested in learning how he did that!!!
1993 F-150
1989 F-150 4x4
(http://briefcase.yahoo.com/toydestroyer1)
1993 F-150
1989 F-150 4x4
(http://briefcase.yahoo.com/toydestroyer1)
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Low Oil Pressure
You have to do more than just replace the sender, there is a resistor that is attached to the instrument cluster flex circuit that prevents it from giving a max reading. About 1/2 way on the scale is the most you'll ever get unless you remove the resistor.
Best of luck, Ben
1995 Bronco XLT, 302, E4OD, 31" BFG AT's
Best of luck, Ben
1995 Bronco XLT, 302, E4OD, 31" BFG AT's
