Low Oil Pressure and Check Engine light...

[nedirtbikr]

Okay, pretty new here in the forum. Have done some searching and found some answers but need a little advice. I have a '99 3.0.

Low Oil Pressure - I have found info here regarding the oil pressure staying way low until warmup and then indicating normal (only does this in cold weather.) Mine does this. According to the info I found, it looks like I should be looking at replacing my oil sending unit. Is this easy to do? "Easy" in the sense that...can I do this with standard tools on my driveway? Also, from what I understand, it is located on the passenger side under the hood. Anyone have some easy instructions for me?

Check Engine light - There appears to be several different things that can cause this. The gas cap being one of them. I think this is my problem. Nearly every time I fill up, the Check Engine light goes dark for a day or two and then comes back on. I have been able to duplicate this many times. My question on this one is...Is it common for the gas cap to "fail"? If so, no problem, just looking for a recommendation on a new one that will "fit the bill" and perform. Should I just get another Ford one or are there some aftermarkets out there that should be fine?

Thanks!

 

[Jspafford]

The oil sending unit is on the passenger side of the back of the head. You can barely see it, even if you know what your looking for. It is down close to the top of the bellhousing. It can be done with a crafstman set of tools. Be prepared to bust your hands all up though.

 

[04 EDGE]

there is over a thousand OBD II codes, you need to get them and post them so we can better diagnose your problem

 

[ati190]

I just changed my sending unit the other day, it was simple. I did it from the bottom around the exhaust. Loosened it from the bottom, took it out from the top. Put the new one in from the top passengers side, and tightened it from the bottom. 5mins tops it took, no hands busted or scraped

 

[nedirtbikr]

Thanks guys. I'll give that sender unit a shot.

there is over a thousand OBD II codes, you need to get them and post them so we can better diagnose your problem

I will get the codes. It just seems fishy that the gas caps were brought as a possible cause of the Check Engine light and nearly every time I fill up (mess with the gas cap,) the Check Engine light goes out for a time. I just figured it'd be an easy try.

 

[nedirtbikr]

FYI...

- Replaced the sending unit and now oil pressure indicator is good.

- In my particular case, the check engine light was a bad gas cap. Meant to post a while ago, but forgot. As I noticed the aforementioned "weird" behavior with the check engine light nearly every time I filled up, I thought the gas cap would be an easy try. I figured if it was a hose or something like that, the warning light would stay pretty consistent.

Anyway, a trip to Advanced Auto and $10 later and all is good.