Low Oil Pressure

[Kalwren]

I've been steadily watching my oil pressure drop over the last few weeks.

Typically, the needle is between the R and the M on "Normal". Now it's sitting steady on the O.

I called my mechanic and he said it may not be the oil pump, but it may just be the sending unit. I bought a new sending unit for less than $7 at the auto store.

I've not had time to look in the manual with my crazy week this week.

Can someone tell me where this part goes? Is it on the outside of the engine, or am I going to have to drop the oil pan to get to the sending unit?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Big Jim M]

You are worrying too much! What part of NORMAL is it you don't understand? ANYWHERE in the NORMAL range is just that...normal!!
It could be the particular batch of oil in there. It could be the amount of volts the alt is putting out.. It could be the ambient temp.. Leave it alone..It's all Ok!
Big JIm

 

[Kalwren]

Lol!

Thanks for the comments.

I just like to be on top of something before it happens. I've had a long hard road with my truck and it's finally running perfect.

Yes, perfect!

With that in mind, I'd like to keep it that way. If I'm losing oil pressure, I'd like to replace the pump before it causes major engine wear and/or failure.

But at any rate, I did buy the part. It was only $6 and some change. I'd like to put it on. Where is it located please?

You are worrying too much! What part of NORMAL is it you don't understand? ANYWHERE in the NORMAL range is just that...normal!!
It could be the particular batch of oil in there. It could be the amount of volts the alt is putting out.. It could be the ambient temp.. Leave it alone..It's all Ok!
Big JIm

 

[pcollins]

i've never heard of an oil sending unit. sure its not the oil pump? any way you can post a pic of it?

 

[Kalwren]

The Sending Unit is the electronic device that tells the gauge what to show as an oil pressure.

 

[Big Jim M]

It shouold be the lectric device near the filter. On the side of the engine.
Big Jim

 

[Kalwren]

Awesome, thanks. I'll check for it.

 

[tmar04]

oil pressure sending unit

Just changed mine on my 87 B2, 2.9 eng. It is on driver side, near front of engine. about as big around as a lemon. kinda hard to get a w rench on so yu have to take it slow. it is near the motor mount and just aft of lower radiator hose. Good luck. I feel just like you do about oil pressure. I put a brass T in block (1/4 in NPT) re installed OEM sender(new one) and also installed a sender for Autometer Phantom II gauge. mine reads 60 lbs cold, fast idle, then drops to about 40 lbs at 50 mph, hot oil, and about 18 at idle. seems to be about normal. let me know what kind of readings you get if you install a better gauge. the OEM stuff is crap.

 

[exbass94]

Google "Ford dummy gauge" and you'll quickly realize why replacing the sender is a waste of time.

 

[hondaxr650]

Exbass94 is right. The oil pressure gauge on that truck should be thought of as an idiot light with a needle. It's either on or off. Too many customer complaints of fluctuating oil pressure caused Ford to do this. Anything over I believe 7 psi will cause the gauge to read the same as if it had 100 psi.