Low oil pressure
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Low oil pressure
I've got a 94 F-150 and recently my oil gauge has been reading that i have very low pressure. When the truck is idling, the needle goes between the "n" and "r" on the gauge, but when i drive it drops to to about the line. I'm hoping it may just be a bad sensor, but if anyone has any other ideas abotu it, i'd love to hear 'em. Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
If your oil pressure was low, it would be doing the opposite. It would be reading low at idle, and rising as the RPMs increase.
It's probably either the gauge or the sending unit. Do yourself a favor and put a real oil pressure gauge in it so you'll what the engine is really doing.
It's probably either the gauge or the sending unit. Do yourself a favor and put a real oil pressure gauge in it so you'll what the engine is really doing.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Glen Burnie Maryland
There are instances where oil pressure drops when engine is loaded.
If the main or cam bearings are worn and then loaded they build up axial (side to side) movement and are NOT centered in the bearing diameter causing a disparity from side to side in oil film thickness. At this point the oil is pouring off the bearing surface and not being held to build pressure. I had a 289 in a 65 mustang do this, and had to rebuild the whole engine due to cam bearings. Putting main and rod bearings as a stop gap measure in DIDN'T help.
Larry
If the main or cam bearings are worn and then loaded they build up axial (side to side) movement and are NOT centered in the bearing diameter causing a disparity from side to side in oil film thickness. At this point the oil is pouring off the bearing surface and not being held to build pressure. I had a 289 in a 65 mustang do this, and had to rebuild the whole engine due to cam bearings. Putting main and rod bearings as a stop gap measure in DIDN'T help.
Larry
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Larry-
Did your car show any other symptoms besides the oil pressure difference? As of now, i haven't had any difference in performance, fuel consumption, etc. Also, my dipstick casing has broken in half, so the casing has an open end to it and i'm wondering if this may cause the system to lose pressure or allow water into the oil?
Did your car show any other symptoms besides the oil pressure difference? As of now, i haven't had any difference in performance, fuel consumption, etc. Also, my dipstick casing has broken in half, so the casing has an open end to it and i'm wondering if this may cause the system to lose pressure or allow water into the oil?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Glen Burnie Maryland
Nope. No change in performance, or anything else. I ran it like that for 3 years before I finally overhauled it, ran it another 5 and sold it. 15 years later the second owner is still running it.
the only thing I can see from your dipstick casing being cracked is possibly some moisture getting in. Being cracked won't cause a changein performance levels.
Larry
the only thing I can see from your dipstick casing being cracked is possibly some moisture getting in. Being cracked won't cause a changein performance levels.
Larry
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I got a copper pipe end to put on the broken dipstick and it shoudl keep the water free from the oil. Also, today i changed the oil, oil filter and put in an additive and the pressure seems to be fine. When i was drainging it, there seemed to be some water in the oil, so i think i found the problem. The pressure is 100% what it used to be, but it's a lot better than it was. Thanks for the help!
