Check Oil Light

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Sep 28, 2005 | 09:11 PM

#16

orleec

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 304

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From: Connecticut

Lots of good info here...

Any idea how much oil (in terms of qt) between the low and high level of the dipstick for 5.4 to help in estimating how much oil to put whenever it goes down?

Thanks

Sep 28, 2005 | 09:25 PM

#17

KenB

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 545

Likes: 1

From: Shreveport, La.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monsta

The oil light doesn't light when the oil is low. Only if the oil PRESSURE is too low.

Bingo! I was wondering when someone was going to get to the point.
Being a part of a quart low is not going to make the light come on, the problem is elsewhere as suggested in others postings on this thread.

The light coming literally means that oil and/or oil pressure is not is not adequate to be read at the oil sensor. There is a problem, could even be the sensor.
What oil weight does your manual say to use? Use it.

Last edited by KenB; Sep 28, 2005 at 09:31 PM.

Sep 29, 2005 | 01:02 PM

#18

pitrow

Elder User

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 878

Likes: 0

From: Cornelius, Oregon

Quote:

Originally Posted by orleec

Lots of good info here...

Any idea how much oil (in terms of qt) between the low and high level of the dipstick for 5.4 to help in estimating how much oil to put whenever it goes down?

Thanks

i've never checked for sure on the Expy, but most engines I've ever had, the difference between the LOW and FULL mark on the dipstick was exactly one quart.

Sep 30, 2005 | 07:57 AM

#19

projectSHO89

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Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 19,762

Likes: 1,079

From: St Louis

The red OIL light and the idiot guage run off oil pressure.

The sender switch tends to go bad and sometimes cause warnings to be displayed when no actual fault exists. The sender is easy to replace.

The oil recommendations in almost all recent Ford owner's manuals has been superceded by TSB. 5W20 semi-synthetic is now the recommended oil. Using the older recommendations will not cause any problems, you just won't gain the slight benefits offered by the 5W20.

Steve

Sep 30, 2005 | 09:40 AM

#20

ExpyBoy

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 211

Likes: 0

From: Stafford, VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidle

Okay guys. I have used the searched button, but still didn't get as much info as I wanted.

Last week, I went to start my 2000 Ford Expedition 5.4L in the morning, and my check oil light came on. Mind you, I still haven't reached up to 3000 miles yet, since my last oil change. Still have another 500 miles til' it reaches 3000 miles. I would think i dont need another oil changed until 4000 miles.

Anyways, I checked, and the oil is close to Low. So, I just added in some 10 30 weight valvoline oil to full. (I usually go to Midas to get my oil change and they told me they use 10 30. )

Well, the light turned off and my truck runs fine!

Then today, it did it again. I went to start it up in the morning (pretty cold outside), and the check oil light came on. Then I turned off the truck to check the oil, and the oil is only half way.

Start the truck again, and now the light is gone.
I dont freakin' get it. There is NO sign of oil leaks anywhere.

Afterwork, i'm going to go to Autozone right by my house and have them run the codes. What do you think could be wrong guys?

On Cold Mornings (less than 55) mine does that until it's warm... Even with Mobil 1 0-30 and a Fresh Oil Change... The dealer claimed it's the sending unit, problem is to get to it, they need to pull the front engine cover...

So I KNOW I have OIL... I have also opened the fill tube and seen oil flowing...

I'm not saying ignore it, but it seems to be a recurring issue - maybe crud builds up on the pressure sensor and needs to be heated/??