Low oil pressure, problem??
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Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 356
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From: Dinwiddie, Virginia
Low oil pressure, problem??
I have bragged about my 5.4L too much I think. It has 220,000 miles and a lot of mods. It has been used HARD! It is now dropping oil pressure at idle when the oil gets hot. It does have a dial on the dash but no numbers just a good range and at idle it will drop to nothing and the red warning light comes on. I watch for it and don't let it stay there. I just touch the gas pedal and it will return. If I am stopped in slow traffic I hold the brake and give it a little gas.
I know it doesn't need much pressure at idle but I don't know what it is really doing without numbers on the gauge. I have had engines do this before without any problem and as long as you stay on top the gauge they have run for years more.
The question is just how worried should I be about this in this 5.4L and what does it say is in its future? I don't know how the 5.4L differes from the other motors I am use to in this manor. I was getting ready to change the cams and spend more money on it, but I don't know now? Is there an oil treatment that will help? If I don't do the engine upgrades I planned because it is about to blow up and it runs for two more years like this than I will be pissed off.
What do you guys think?
I know it doesn't need much pressure at idle but I don't know what it is really doing without numbers on the gauge. I have had engines do this before without any problem and as long as you stay on top the gauge they have run for years more.
The question is just how worried should I be about this in this 5.4L and what does it say is in its future? I don't know how the 5.4L differes from the other motors I am use to in this manor. I was getting ready to change the cams and spend more money on it, but I don't know now? Is there an oil treatment that will help? If I don't do the engine upgrades I planned because it is about to blow up and it runs for two more years like this than I will be pissed off.
What do you guys think?
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
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when was the last time the oil was changed? i wouldnt recomend an oil treatment as that would probably loosen up the sludge and cause more problems. oil pump or sending unit could be going bad i would imagine.have the oil pressure tested and go from there..i do have to say it sounds like your need new oil because when it gets hot it thins, and worn oil is already thin where as the system needs some viscosity to pump pressure..let us know what happens brother!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Virginia Beach, VA
I had a 351 do this, and from what I gathered, the oil gauge is just simple switch , open, closed,(unless things have changed) I starved the motor when the oil pump failed, causing me to starve the bearings, thus creating the low oil pressure you speak of. It was a service van, and at the stop lights (idle in drive) I would put it in neautral to bring the pressure up. I eventually replaced the motor with a reman.Go with the simple, then the devistating. From what you describe, start looking fo another motor.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Dinwiddie, Virginia
It would did this with just old oil ( thats when I knew to change it at about 3000 miles ), but now it does it with new 10W-30. Is there a place to mount a mechanical oil pressure guage and keep the factory one in place also or do I have to replace the factory sending unit with the mechanical?
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Virginia Beach, VA
I went to a good shop, and had the pump checked, that was when they cleaned the screen ( remember, it was a service truck, neglected ) and they spun the pump, but the damage was done. If you changed the oil, and still have the prob, a mechanical gauge would tell you the same thing. Get it checked out before more damage is done.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
Originally Posted by Soilman
It would did this with just old oil ( thats when I knew to change it at about 3000 miles ), but now it does it with new 10W-30.
If you're lucky, it's just a weak oil pump, but get it checked ASAP. Every time that oil pressure light comes on you're shortening your engine's life.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Dinwiddie, Virginia
OK I found a gauge around the shop to see what the pressure really is, I only got one problem now. WHERE is the damn sending unit at on this 2001 SD 5.4L??!! If it was a snake I am sure I would be dead by now but I can't find it. I found it on my 2005 F150 5.4L, but they are different. I fell stupid to ask but I can't find it!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Washington
your oil pressure sensor is on the drivers side of the engine on the front of the oil cooler.
your oil pressure sending unit is acttually is just a switch it close when oil pressure reaches a certain pressureand opens when it falls below.
have seen these sending unit cause this problem if your not hearing ticking under the low pressure condition its probably the sender
your oil pressure sending unit is acttually is just a switch it close when oil pressure reaches a certain pressureand opens when it falls below.
have seen these sending unit cause this problem if your not hearing ticking under the low pressure condition its probably the sender
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Dinwiddie, Virginia
OK I found the sending unit now I have a new problem. I have to unplug the wire off the top of the sending unit before I can remove it. With the headers in the way I cannot see it and am operating on fell alone. I don't want to break it and I can't fell how it unsnaps. Any help please?
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Dinwiddie, Virginia
OK I know what is in my 5.4's future. A slow death! So, I am going to put it out of it's misery.
I used it a lot this past week and it is going down hill fast! It won't hold oil pressure for long at all at idle. Worst, it is knocking HARD out the bottom end. When I have a load of some kind on it the knock will quite up. But when I am just cruising on level ground I can hear the crank and rods slapping hard. It's a goner!!
I always hoped I would send it out in a blaze of glory at 7000 rpm in a mud pit, but I can't bring myself to do it. I am going to DRIVE it to the best engine shop I can find that knows how to build a Triton motor and tell them to give it back to me with 400hp+. Hopefully they can use the block and maybe some more of it and save a little money.
I never even got the pressure guage hooked up. I don't need it to tell me any thing when I can hear it!! It's sounds like a PSD, HA, HA HA!!
I am taking bets on what my crank tolerences are!
I used it a lot this past week and it is going down hill fast! It won't hold oil pressure for long at all at idle. Worst, it is knocking HARD out the bottom end. When I have a load of some kind on it the knock will quite up. But when I am just cruising on level ground I can hear the crank and rods slapping hard. It's a goner!!
I always hoped I would send it out in a blaze of glory at 7000 rpm in a mud pit, but I can't bring myself to do it. I am going to DRIVE it to the best engine shop I can find that knows how to build a Triton motor and tell them to give it back to me with 400hp+. Hopefully they can use the block and maybe some more of it and save a little money.
I never even got the pressure guage hooked up. I don't need it to tell me any thing when I can hear it!! It's sounds like a PSD, HA, HA HA!!
I am taking bets on what my crank tolerences are!