Delayed oil pressure

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 8, 2006 | 02:51 PM

penumbra

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

Delayed oil pressure

I have 96 F-150 with a 4.9 inline six with 76K miles. When starting the engine from a cold start it takes about 2 seconds for the engine to build oil pressure. During this period the engine sounds like it is lacking lubrication, similar to like after an oil change in which the oil filter was not primed. The problem has recently started occurring in the last 3000 miles or so, just prior to a scheduled oil change. After a complete change of oil and a new filter the problem continues.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

ffice

ffice" /><o

></o

>

I use Valvoline 10W30 oil and Purolator L30001 filters, which I have used consistently since I purchased the vehicle new. What could be the cause of this delay of pressure? It seems that there may be some sort of check valve, which is allowing oil to completely drain back after a period of time.

Jul 8, 2006 | 03:50 PM

quicklook2

Post Fiend

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 11,289

Likes: 6

From: Lakewood, Ohio

change to a motorcraft filter.

Jul 8, 2006 | 07:53 PM

FordF150Fixer

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 179

Likes: 0

From: Central Virginia

I had a similar problem with my ’84. There were several discussions on this forum about the anti drain back valves in different oil filters. The collective wisdom seemed to be that MotorCraft, NAPA, and K&N filters have better anti drain back valves.

I was skeptical that simply changing the filter would fix the problem. At the urging of several forum members, I replaced the Fram filter with a MotorCraft filter and the cold start lack of oil pressure problem immediately went away. That was about two years ago. I have been using MotorCraft filters since then and I have not noticed any problems with delayed oil pressure at startup.

There are several interesting articles on the web comparing oil filters. Use one of the web search engines and search for “oil filter study”. Read the articles, try different filters, and let us know what happens in your particular situation.

Good Luck

Jul 8, 2006 | 08:55 PM

rmalottwtes30

Posting Guru

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 1,808

Likes: 0

From: Cincinnati Ohio

Mine does it also only after I rebuilt the engine and only if it sits for a while. Im running a k&N filter

Jul 8, 2006 | 10:50 PM

andym

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 19,402

Likes: 38

From: Bonita Springs FL

Yeah, the filters you're using are garbage. They do more harm than good. Motorcraft are the only filters I put on my truck, and I don't have the problem.

The PO of my truck used fram filters its whole life. It rattled like a diesel every time I started it.

Nov 27, 2009 | 07:46 PM

GT-6

New User

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

I use motorcraft fl -1a and my 300 still has a delayed oil pressure but only when its below 65 outside .

Nov 27, 2009 | 08:34 PM

fmc400

MSEE

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 10,386

Likes: 35

From: Austin, TX

I sometimes have this problem when the oil filter is about ready to be changed. Installing a new Motorcraft filter seems to rectify the problem. I'd be curious to find out if the problem is exacerbated by the fact that the oil filter sits sideways.