well that's not good. must have bad oil pressure at low idle then right?
Is there a Difference?
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Senior User
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From: Bertha Minnesota
Is there a Difference?
What is the difference between the "Check Engine" light and the "Engine" light. Does the "engine" light mean anything? My 1988 F150 5.0l has been running and dyeing the last few days and the "engine" light will come on. What does this mean?
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Concord, NC
The "Engine" light comes on when there is no oil pressure, and on later trucks, when the engine overheats. It's just a light to make you check the gauges, nothing more. The "Check Engine" light is the one the computer turns on when it finds a problem.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
Yeah if the light comes on after it stalls than that is normal.
You wouldn't have a clue if your engine has low engine oil at idle yet...ya gotta put a real gauge on it to know that. Factory gauge is worthless...it doesn't do much.
You wouldn't have a clue if your engine has low engine oil at idle yet...ya gotta put a real gauge on it to know that. Factory gauge is worthless...it doesn't do much.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
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From: Bertha Minnesota
GULP!!! Where do you screw an oil pressure gauge in? Into the sending unit. How many pounds of oil pressure should a 1988 5.0L be running? I'll check with my buddy i think they got one laying around the shop he works at to check things like that.
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From: Bertha Minnesota
I'll try and check it out tonight. Have a lot of projects going on but i want to see what's going on with this truck. I want to sell to pay some of the loan on my diesel. I'll keep you posted on what happens
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From: Bertha Minnesota
i plan on selling this truck so hopefully it hangs together for a while. I put a new coil in yesterday and it seems to not want to die now so i think i fixed that problem. the engine light came on once for about 10 sec and then went off when it was idleing warm so I think it's back on its feet again. Hopefully now i can sell it. Thanks for all the info.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
20+psi at hot idle is ideal....less than that and there's an underlying issue.
Cold idle should be 40-60psi...
Then 10 psi per 1000 rpm is the general guideline.
Even 10psi at hot idle is adequate to lubricate but generally if it's that low at idle...something is wrong.
You need to unscrew the stock sending unit and install the sending unit for the gauge you're using, or if it's mechanical just the fittings.
Cold idle should be 40-60psi...
Then 10 psi per 1000 rpm is the general guideline.
Even 10psi at hot idle is adequate to lubricate but generally if it's that low at idle...something is wrong.
You need to unscrew the stock sending unit and install the sending unit for the gauge you're using, or if it's mechanical just the fittings.
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From: Bertha Minnesota
What thread size is so i know what kind of fitting i can screw in it. I'm not going to install a gauge just want to check it with a gauge. Where is the sending unit located. Is it on the back of the motor? If the oil pressure is low could it just be the oil pump going bad or maybe the screen being plugged a little bit? Should i also check the compression?