Low oil pressure 2.9

[Bronco Brute]

I have read several issues with the 2.9 having low oil pressure at idle. Mine has this problem and dont know where to start. Cold the engine has great pressure but after it warms the pressure drops below 10 lbs at idle. I dont have lifter noise and engine runs good, Do I drive it untill it drops or pull the pan and check the oil pump.

 

[IMenriched]

Double check the pressure with a mechanical gauge....I'm sure others will tell you that oil pressure that drops on a idle is normal (after engine is up to temp)....How much is drops is up for debate. IF...you're useing a factory guage.... don't trust it, they have been known to be.... less than accurate.

If you still experience oil pressure drop after double checking with a mechnical gauge, than mostlikely you have some internal bearings showing wear...(ie~cam bearings) and a new oil pump won't really help...it may improve things....but in all likelyhood it will be a short term solution.

hope this helps

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

since he says 10PSI at idle and the stock gauge doesnt have numbers, ill assume he already checked it with a real gauge.

what you have are classic symptoms of a pooped engine. its time for a rebuild, and as stated, a new pump will only be a band-aid. another band-aid would be to run a higher weight engine oil. this could get you by for a little longer. you start damaging bearings at about 6-8PSI...so your getting very close.

it might also be worth your time to pull the pan and check the oil pickup screen. these have been known to get plugged up with RTV and gasket material over time. i doubt this is a problem in your case though since you have good pressure on cold start-up.

where you go from here is up to you. you can:
A. run it until it eats a bearing, then throw in a junkyard motor. or:
B. STOP driving the truck before you ruin the engine and make it harder/more expensive to rebuild...and rebuild it.