OK, this is going to sound stupid, but its the only way I can convey it. I have a 92 F250 7.3 IDI. Its high mileage (270k+). I have only had it for a little over a year. Up until about a month ago, the oil pressure has always stayed steady (stock oil pressure gauge) with needle pointing to the 'O' in 'NORMAL'. About a month ago, I noticed the guage to start jumping sometimes. My oil level was within normal range. No real correlation to rpm or load. This continued for about 2 weeks. I was around my 3,000 mile mark so I changed the oil and filter putting my required 10 quarts in. After a couple of days I checked again and it looked to be about 3/4 quarts low. So I added about that much to fill it back up. The guage continued to jump though. Today, I noticed that it was starting to jump even more, up past the 'O' and 'R' in 'NORMAL' to the 'M'. I check the oil and it was within the normal fill limits, but a bit low - maybe 1/3 of the fill hash showing. I looked underneath and see a little leak around the filter, but nothing outragous. It never drops below the 'O' where it normally has been, just jumps higher. Other than my small leak, do I have anything to worry about? What could be causing this jump in pressure? Thanks

 

I would buy a mechanical oil pressure gauge just to be sure the stock one doesnt go bad. The factory gauges arn't accurate they just give you a normal reading not P.S.I.

 

AGREED. Get a real guage and install in the port for the electric guage. The factory guage is worth about $1.45. It could be the sending unit or the guage itself that is acting up.

 

Watch the other guages to see if they are moving the same way as well, but for piece of mind, a mechanical or quality aftermarket guage is needed.

 

Stock oil gauges are not reliable, the oil gauge in my 84 is acting up as well. In my 86, I replaced the sending unit and it was fine, but if you want accurate readings, go with an aftermarket gauge.