my expy has oil pressure issues. When I start the engine cold, oil pressure is at its normal operating pressure as indicated by the gauge. After the engine warms up to normal operating temperature the pressure gauge will indicate at random a total loss of pressure. The pressure gauge will show pressure one minute then none at all the next and will toggle back and forth between a normal pressure reading and no pressure whatsoever. If the oil pressure stays off, the engine will start to run rough as all the oil is sitting in the pan.

I joinded alldata.com and see that the oil pump may have a pressure relief valve?? at this point my only guess is that the pressure relief is malfunctioning in some way causing oil to not be circulated as regular.

The local ford dealer was not able to diagnose the problem without an expensive engine tear down. I want to simply (not so simple) replace the oil pump but want more info to support the idea that the oil pump replacement will solve the problem.

If anyone has any advise as to a reason behind the pressure problem it would be highly apprieciated by me and my expy. thank you for any time anyone may have.

 

That sounds more like a sensor problem to me. Change the oil press. sending unit & see if that fixes the problem.

 

The sensor/sending unit was suspect at first but the ford dealer ruled it out and they concluded that the oil pump was infact supplying oil intermittently.

For example, while the engine is running and if the gauge reads no pressure (and the dash oil pressure warning light is "on") for a continuous amount of time of about 15-30 seconds you can hear the engine begining to run rough, like the engine is suffering from a lack of oil. At which point I would shut the engine off to avoid serious damage.