Hey my 1998 4.6 is acting strange. At heavy acceleration, especially up an incline or down one, the oil pressure indicator gauge goes all the way down and the oil light comes on. This doesn't last but maybe 1 or 2 seconds, and then the gauge goes to normal and the light goes off. The oil level is normal as indicated by the dipstick. Any suggestions?

 

Does it soundany different? I'd try replacing the Oil pressure sending unit ($9.18 from Ford) first. My 01 Screw 4.6 would show no oil pressure when cold, but was fine after warming up. The best time to change it is when you're changing your oil. and FWIW the FoMoCo parts were 1/2 the price of the aftermarket ones availabe at the local shop.

 

You may want to consider a real, mechanical gauge. I appreciate mine. Check the signature for details.

Pony is right, it's probably the sending unit, I just like knowing the actual pressure.

Hunt4Fun

 

thanks for the suggestions. it doesn't sound any different at all and the oil level is fine. i'm gonna change the oil and the unit this weekend.

 

where exactly is the sending unit for the oil pressure and what does it look like?

 

It's on the firewall side of the oil filter to block adapter.
If you get under the truck and look up along side the engine at the oil filter, you will see it with a wire connected to it.
The connector has a locking tab to make sure it stays on.

 

Hunt4fun: I seen your installation of the oil gauge. something ive been thinking bout for awhile, since ford oil gauges aint worth the powder to blow them up and I do like Sun gauges and testing equipment. thanks so much for the idea

 

It was a pretty easy mod. I definitely like having it there. Like you said, the factory gauge is nothing more than a glorified idiot light.

I suspect that by the time the factory gauge says you have a problem, you have a serious problem.

Let me know if you have any questions. I can always take some more photos if it helps.

 

I sent u an email Hunt4fun, I dont know if you received it. But I got the sunpro white gauge, installed it in the dash with no problem. but seeing your pics of your engine, your sender looks like it is out in the open. my sender is recessed in the engine and dont know if it is a metric fitting cause my standard sockets wont work. soaked it down with rust penetrant and got a small wrench on it, but that hummer is not budging, 15 years of corrosion I guess. this job is on the back burner for the time being, too much other stuff to do.

 

If the 98 is like my 01, the unit is located right under the oil filter.

 

Top gun, I did receive and responded to your email. This was my response:

I don't remember having much trouble with the sensor. The fitting may very well be metric. I'm using my metric tools a lot these days on my truck. Other than that, the old vice grips or channel locks would have been my next choice.

I'm sure you will enjoy knowing the real pressure reading.



Not sure what happened with the email. I copied it from my sent items folder to paste into this message. ??

I'm sure that the time factor has something to do with getting it un-stuck. Did you find a good metric socket that fits? A six point would be best if it will go on. Then you might try tightening it first. I've had a few tough bolts come out that way. Then crank it back out.

Best of luck.

Hunt4Fun

 

no I dont have metric sockets that large, they would be equivalent to a 1 1/16-1 1/8 standard socket. checked with craftsman and they are $8 bucks a pop. might have to check around the hood for these things, thanks again

 

getting closer to getting this gauge problem solved I think. a guy at work has special sockets for these sending units, said he will bring them in tomorrow. and Snap On has these as well, and they are 1 1/16 standard sockets but of a special configuration, but $43 a pop, see what happens

 

Sometimes I think there is a conspiracy related to tools. Hard to believe that a good old fashioned 6 point socket wouldn't meet the needs.......

 

It would, but how many standard socet sets include a 22mm socket? I think the engineers own stock in the tool companies or get kickbacks from them. Bastages.