I have a 97 F150 with 177K on it and I'm having problems with the oil pressure or oil pressure gauge. After I drive enough to get the engine warmed up good, the oil pressure will start dropping when I slow down and drop to nothing when I stop. I can put my truck in neutral, accelerate or rev the engine and it will go back to normal. I don't have any major oil leaks but I'm clueless on what it could be. I'm not sure if it's a sensor OR if it's something that could be major.

Any ideas...

 

start by chnaging the sensor and go from there. Those are cheap.

 

I can't see what motor you have. Do you have the V6 4.2L? If so, have you checked out the "leaky V6" problem?
I have the 4.2L V6 and had the same symptoms as you. No bearing oil pressure lead to a replacement motor. Good luck, hope it's not that.

 

A guy at the auto parts place tried to explain where the sensor was but I couldn't find it. I don't know if he had things mixed up or wrong. Is it an easy sensor to replace?

 

He told me the sensor was located on the side of the oilpan.

 

The oil pressure sensor is located under the powersteering pump bracket. You have to take the bracked off to access it. The parts store was talking about the oil level sensor in the pan.

Robbie

I can offer more detailed directions if you need them.

 

its been awhile but i went thru those symptoms several different times...in each case the oil sending unit was replaced..eventually i had to get the motor replaced...

 

You can access the oil sending unit thru the drivers side wheel well.

 

Does anyone have any details on how to get to the Oil Pressure sending unit? So far I've got the air filter and belt off but wasn't sure about taking the power steering pump off or if I had to take it off then the bracket. Is there an easier way or am I just wrong alltogether...

 

WOW! Look at this post on getting to the sending unit!

 

I assumed it'd be easier getting to it from the top and avoiding having to take the wheel well lining out. If I go thru the wheel well is it a straight shot or do I need to take anything else off? I'm all about the easiest way...

 

When I installed my oil pressure guage I went thru the fender well.I'm a big guy so I removed the tire for easier access.You dont have to remove the wheel well liner.Just look in there and you will see the oil sending unit.

 

That was my big issue. I'm 6'3" and 290 and I really like working topside when I can so I can have room to work. Thanks for the help. Hopefully there won't be anymore issues.

 

I got to the oil pressure sending unit but do to lack of room I can't get anything on it. I tried sockets and wrenches but there isn't enough room to do anything. Is there something I'm overlooking or is something bent. Any words of wisdom would come in handy right now.

 

They make a special "oil sending unit" socket.Any parts store sells it.The size is 1-1/16". BTW, I used a pair of 6" channel lock type pliers to remove mine.