Erractic Oil Pressure Reading
#1
Erractic Oil Pressure Reading
I have a 2000 F150, 4.6L, V8, 2wd truck. I am currently experiencing erratic oil pressure readings. It's happened on 2 occasions recently; both during start-up in cold weather. Checked the oil level and it's ok. I've run Mobil 1 in it since new. Currently has only 75,000 miles.
Took it to the dealer. He said it need a new oil pump/pressure regulator/oil sending unit to the tune of $1200. He claims the oil pump output is 90psi but the regulator is not reducing the pressure properly. Something doesn't seem right to me as I have taken extremely good care of the truck.
I have two ideas:
1. Have him put the truck on the stand and demonstrate the excessive pressure readings before agreeing to the repairs. 90 psi seems high but I'm not sure what the normal oil pressure should be.
2. Take the truck elsewhere for another opinion.
Please give me your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
Kirk
Took it to the dealer. He said it need a new oil pump/pressure regulator/oil sending unit to the tune of $1200. He claims the oil pump output is 90psi but the regulator is not reducing the pressure properly. Something doesn't seem right to me as I have taken extremely good care of the truck.
I have two ideas:
1. Have him put the truck on the stand and demonstrate the excessive pressure readings before agreeing to the repairs. 90 psi seems high but I'm not sure what the normal oil pressure should be.
2. Take the truck elsewhere for another opinion.
Please give me your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
Kirk
#2
Take it somewhere else for a pressure check. You can remove the oil sender that is located on the oil filter adapter. Install a pressure line and a manual pressure gage in the hole. The manual pressure gage will verify the true oil pressure. I personally think that all thats wrong is the oil sender is acting up if that. Buy a new oil sender for a few bucks and install it while you have the old one out for the pressure check.The oil pumps on these engines are pretty bullet proof. I have not seen any pump failures in at least the last 4-5 years worth of dealer returns and only a couple prior to that. Absolutely no failures during Dyno testing in the last 15 years. Even if the pressure is going to 90 psi that is probably when the engine is cold and would be normal. If that is the case let it get hot and check the pressure it should run around 30-40 psi when warm. The higher the RPM the higher the pressure will go. The pressure relief valve is relatively easy to work on if you can get the oil pan dropped.The valve is in the oil pump and is behind the large plug that accepts an allen wrench. Inside is a spring and a plunger or valve body piston. About the only thing that will cause the relief valve to stick would be debris. I could be wrong but I would be very surprised if this is an oil pump problem. Get a reading with a manual gage and go from there. $ 1,200 sounds crazy to me. p/s Ford actually increased the thickness / gage of the steel on the 820 oil filters years ago because in extreme cold climates such as Canada etc.they were rupturing/ ballooning the filters during startup. They were seeing oil pressures in excess of 130 psi. Good luck.
Last edited by DYNOTECH; 01-31-2007 at 08:05 PM.
#3
#5
I'd put your dealer on the "I won't go there again" list. The pressure is normal and can exceed that in extreme conditions. Mine has hit 110 lbs at cold startup- 2004 4.6 with 70,000 miles. The Triton engines have a lot of oil pressure so that the valve train doesn't starve for oil at startup.
#6
Similar problem?
Last week was about 15 deg's and I started my 01 5.4 4x4 to warm up a bit. Came back in 2 or 3 min and the oil pressure gage was not reading anything and the little red light was on for oil temp. I just sat there a sec and was not sure what to do and then the gage wnet up to normal and the light wnet off. No problems since and its been even colder than 15 deg's.
P.S. I use 10w-30 and have never seen this problem just had a oil change two weeks ago.
P.S. I use 10w-30 and have never seen this problem just had a oil change two weeks ago.
#7
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#8
#10
Originally Posted by Hawkpilot
The oil pressure gauge on mine is fake, essentially a glorified idiot light. It has two possible readings - "none" and "normal". The sending unit is a switch.
#12
Originally Posted by DYNOTECH
Take it somewhere else for a pressure check. You can remove the oil sender that is located on the oil filter adapter. Install a pressure line and a manual pressure gage in the hole. The manual pressure gage will verify the true oil pressure. I personally think that all thats wrong is the oil sender is acting up if that. Buy a new oil sender for a few bucks and install it while you have the old one out for the pressure check.The oil pumps on these engines are pretty bullet proof. I have not seen any pump failures in at least the last 4-5 years worth of dealer returns and only a couple prior to that. Absolutely no failures during Dyno testing in the last 15 years. Even if the pressure is going to 90 psi that is probably when the engine is cold and would be normal. If that is the case let it get hot and check the pressure it should run around 30-40 psi when warm. The higher the RPM the higher the pressure will go. The pressure relief valve is relatively easy to work on if you can get the oil pan dropped.The valve is in the oil pump and is behind the large plug that accepts an allen wrench. Inside is a spring and a plunger or valve body piston. About the only thing that will cause the relief valve to stick would be debris. I could be wrong but I would be very surprised if this is an oil pump problem. Get a reading with a manual gage and go from there. $ 1,200 sounds crazy to me. p/s Ford actually increased the thickness / gage of the steel on the 820 oil filters years ago because in extreme cold climates such as Canada etc.they were rupturing/ ballooning the filters during startup. They were seeing oil pressures in excess of 130 psi. Good luck.
By the way, PM me your CDS ID... I'd love to talk engines when questions like this arise on other boards... I've always got questions and maybe you could help!