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Oil pressure drop at idle, only in drive and when warm????


Mattl12

Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2019
Messages
6
City
Louisiana
Vehicle Year
1990
Transmission
Automatic
1990 Ford Ranger 2.9 V6
73000 miles
Heads and head gaskets recently changed, cooling/radiator system almost entirely new as well.
Changed the Oil pressure switch already. Changed oil and filter yesterday, high mileage synthetic blend 10W-30. Drop off only happens when warm and in drive, hitting the gas makes pressure go backup. No change in sound/noise. Just got first hiccup/vibration today.


Haven't guaged the oil pressure yet. OBD connection is clogged as it was opened the first time today, needs to be cleaned so I have no codes.


Thoughts????
 
Sounds like it is time for an HV oil pump.
 
I would put a real gauge on there and see what it says.
 
Mine has 300K+, runs at 40psi on the highway and sometimes 15-20psi at idle. Surprisingly, I have no ticking noise. I just don't stay still long enough for it to sit and idle much when it's warm :). Mine needs a rebuild. And cam bearings.
 
I would put a real gauge on there and see what it says.

Don't own a gauge and don't know what to look for/read it if I did. Gauge plugs in right where the pressure switch I just replaced screws in right? What I'm finding is the switch says there is pressure over 5 or 0 pressure (Dashboard "Gauge") and nothing else. Unless the repair costs are significant enough to junk the truck I will put on an after market "True Gauge".
 
Mine has 300K+, runs at 40psi on the highway and sometimes 15-20psi at idle. Surprisingly, I have no ticking noise. I just don't stay still long enough for it to sit and idle much when it's warm :). Mine needs a rebuild. And cam bearings.


Getting on the gas seems to keep oil pressure level enough, like I said only at idle and in drive. Check engine light is coming on and off intermittently and that freaks me out.
 
Oh yeah does an "Electrical Brown Out" mean anything to any of you as far as oil pressure readings? When I found a discussion that matches my problem almost exactly that came up, unfortunately there was not more to that?
 
Yes a mechanical gauge will screw in where the switch is located. Get a gauge in there and see what the readings are.

Paulos... 15 to 20 psi on a hot idle sounds pretty good to me actually...
 

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