Here's the problem...my wife's 2000 Expedition (5.4, 4R100, 4x4) sometimes has low to no oil pressure on start-up. Usually when its cold outside, the oil pressure guage will go to zero and the light will come on. Then, after you get going it will go back to normal. It only does this when it's cold outside and it's the first time the truck has been started that day. When it's warm outside or the truck has been run that day, there's no problem. I know it's not the oil pump, or the motor would've blown by now (it's been doing this for a while). Yes, I know that it's dumb to drive the truck like this, but my wife had driven it for a week or two before I found out. When I asked why she hadn't told me, she said she didn't think it was that important!

Anyway, anyone else had this problem and what was it? Sending unit? Guage?

 

What kind of oil are you using? Sounds like maybe you need something with a thinner viscosity.

 

Ignore this ^^^^ for now.... sorry, dude...


The oil pressure guage is just a mechanical idiot light.

The sender switch (notice I didn't call it a sending unit or sensor) is the most common reason for a low pressure INDICATION.

To be certain, install an real pressure guage to measure the pressure. Then you will know for certain.

Otherwise, replace the switch (it just screws into the filter adapter plate) and see if your intermittent indicator goes away.

Steve

 

sending unit is my vote also. replaced several on rangers and explorers for exact same problem. ford had service bulliten (01-4-2) for oil drip shield contacting sender and causing damage to it. it had you trim the shield so it wouldn't contact sender and replace the sender. not sure if that is the case but it wouldn't hurt to check. hope this helps you.

 

Thanks guys. I knew about the "guage" being a glorified idiot light and that's why I wasn't too concerned. It does make me feel better to get some positive feedback on that front though.

 

what about the oil filter bleed back problem?