Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

lost oil pressure

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 22, 2004 | 04:41 PM
  #1  
jjrcmr's Avatar
jjrcmr
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Unhappy lost oil pressure

I have a 1989 F150, 95,000 miles that suddenly lost oil pressure while driving.

When cold, the oil pressure is fine and the engine runs great. after warmup of apx. 5 minutes, the oil pressure guage drops to 0, the check engine light comes on and the engine starts ticking and runs rough.

I have changed oil and filter, replaced the oil pump and front and rear seals.

I think I'm running out of inexpensive options.

What next?
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2004 | 05:19 PM
  #2  
Manwith3fords's Avatar
Manwith3fords
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
Time for some main/rod bearings by the sounds of it. My truck drops to about 10-15psi once its hot. I'll need some main/rod bearings soon too. My engine doesn't burn any oil so I'm just gonna drop the pan and roll some new ones in to get me a couple more years out of the 5.0.
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2004 | 05:44 PM
  #3  
flareside crazy's Avatar
flareside crazy
New User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I had the exact same problem with my 93 F150. I am currently rebuilding my engine. A mechanic told me that if you drive on yhe interstate alot that the oil cooks under the intake before it has a chance to drain back down into the crankcase thus stopping up the oil galleys. I don't know how true it is but my engine was really gunked up and not getting enough oil.
Hope this helps.
Jeremy
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2004 | 07:47 PM
  #4  
Josh913's Avatar
Josh913
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Sealy TX
I had that problem before and I replace the oil sending unit, Its inexpensive and not all that hard to replace
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2004 | 07:53 PM
  #5  
Manwith3fords's Avatar
Manwith3fords
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
Yes, but his engine is making noises so the sneding unit is likely not reading faulty. I have a manual oil pressure gauge in my truck. 50 psi at idle when first started, 15psi at idle once its hot. The bearings are toast, I'll roll some new ones in when I change my oil pan this spring. Its a shame too, the old thing works A-1!!
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2004 | 08:41 PM
  #6  
jjrcmr's Avatar
jjrcmr
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies.
Now the $1000.00 question.
Is it worth it?
 
Reply
Old Feb 22, 2004 | 08:51 PM
  #7  
Leo_T's Avatar
Leo_T
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: eastern Ma
Hello,

I had a problem like this one on an old 65 falcon. It turned out the previous owner jacked up the engine using a bottle jack, and no wood to distribute the force on the oil pan. The pan was pushed up in the middle, and pushed up the screen on the oil pump pick-up screen also. I pulled down the pick up tube coming from the oil pump, and banged out the dented pan with a hammer and 2x4. It actually worked. I think the engine was jacked up to change a motor mount. It might be worth a look at the pan..to check for dents on the bottom.

Plugged returns will cause oil pressure drop offs too.

Good luck
 
Reply
Old Feb 29, 2004 | 12:03 PM
  #8  
chrisbeery's Avatar
chrisbeery
Senior User
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
"I'll need some main/rod bearings soon too. My engine doesn't burn any oil so I'm just gonna drop the pan and roll some new ones "

Can you replace those from underneath??
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 29, 2004 | 01:20 PM
  #9  
Manwith3fords's Avatar
Manwith3fords
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
I haven't tried it in this chassis, but I don't see why I can't do it this way. I've done it this way in bulldozers and higway rig's with no problem, its actually standard practice in both unless there was a major failure.
 
Reply
Old Feb 29, 2004 | 07:26 PM
  #10  
Leo_T's Avatar
Leo_T
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: eastern Ma
J,
I missed some of your post, my fault, missed the part about changing the pump already. Please disregard my post.

You can change the bearings from underneith. Get some plastigage with the new bearings to check the clearance.

If you live in a warm climate or have a block heater, you might buy a little more time by going with a thicker oil.
The tear down or used engine is probably in your future though.

Good luck!!
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:20 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE