So I have done my research throughout the board, and want to make sure I am on the right track before I go and start replacnig parts.

After about 10 minutes of driving my truck (once everything is nice and warm) when I go to idle, stop at stop signs, etc. my oil pressure gauge drops out, and the light comes on. I have no knocks in the motor, oil is at a good level, and I see nothing wrong.

Sound like an oil pressure sending unit? Anything else I should look for?

All help appreciated. Thanks



Matt

 

mine does this, except on first start up after sitting for more than 2 hours in weather below 50*. The only thing I, my dad, and anyone else seem to think is the sending unit.

Supposedly Ford's unit is more or less set to a range of pressure, and as soon as the pressure falls below that, the gauge trips and just flat reads zero, even if you still have pressure. I've debated getting an aftermarket gauge, but haven't yet.

 

Sounds like your pickup tube is partially plugged. Your sending unit is fine, in fact, -it's doing a great job in letting you know there's a problem before it's to late. It could be the pump as well, -my moneys on the pick-up tube. I wouldn't run it period, not until I found out what's going on.

 

My other thought is that I am close to an oil change, and could the filter be causing this?

 

Sorry to hijack but where is that pick-up tube located? I'm guessing this may be my problem also..

My oil pressure gauges drops and goes up erratically on cold start-ups.
I had problems with Valvoline oil filters, making weird noises. But that is about it.

 

Well the pickup tube with be in your oil pan.

 

daamn... So I'm assuming the only way is to pop open the oil pan...
is this a part that needs to be replaced or just unclogged? (IF it is clogged)

 

It is called a sump tube, it connects to the oil pump and picks oil up from the lower hump of your oil pan.There is a screen in at the end of the tube.It may be you screen is plugged, but yes the oil pan still needs to come off.

 

Alright folks, I went ahead and picked up a new pressure switch (only $6 dollars, and wouldnt hurt to replace it anyways).... and so far it has cleared my problem. That thing is almost impossible to get to. I will find out if its cleared for sure when I run to town later (20 mile drive). Thanks for the input guys.

-Matt

 

The sending unit caused your engine to knock? Don't think so lol.


- Edit! My fault, thought it was knocking, read your post wrong the first time. How the hell did I do that ?? :o

 

Actually it's called = Oil pump screen cover and tube. Depending upon who you order the part from lol. I've heard it referred to a sump tube before, after all,- it is just that.

Ford has it this way -

 

So I took the olgirl for a good drive tonight, and everything she behaved.

One thing I didnt mention. When I changed out the switch (which was a bitch)... there was oil on the electrical plug side, and inside the plug. I dont know how this came to be, but I got it all nice and cleaned up, and no problem. I will monitor it for sometime, as I cant afford to rebuild right now, LOL.

Thanks agin for the help.


-Matt

 

If you have a problems with oil pressure fluctuations on our trucks , 9 out of 10 times , it's going to be a bad sending unit .

 

Oil pressure was pushing the oil past the case and it flowed onto the connector. That leak was releasing the pressure and your sender reported low pressure to the gage.

.

 

Im almost wondering if it blew threw the cetner of the sensor. Regardless, its fixed, no more dummy lights, gauges are good, and Im not stressed. Yippee!


-Matt