'00 5.0L Oil pressure switch

[koda2000]

does anyone have any tips on replacing the oil pressure switch on a 2000 5.0L? it seems to be between the top of the oil filter and p/s pump. mine occasionally sticks and will register no oil pressure when first started, then after a minute it will pop up to normal (no lifter noise). it's done it twice since Oct. can you get at the switch if the oil filter is removed?

 

[vroomzoomboom]

i think you might have to pull the drivers side accessory bracket off to get it

 

[koda2000]

i think you might have to pull the drivers side accessory bracket off to get it

That's what I'm afraid of. I wonder if I can get at it through the driver's wheel well if I take the splash shield loose?

 

[Willcall]

I just did my 01's a couple weeks ago. I removed the driver side wheel, the splash guard, and unbolted the P/S hoses from their mount on the A/C compressor so I could move them out of the way. Used a few extensions and a swivel, but I got it.

 

[koda2000]

I just did my 01's a couple weeks ago. I removed the driver side wheel, the splash guard, and unbolted the P/S hoses from their mount on the A/C compressor so I could move them out of the way. Used a few extensions and a swivel, but I got it.

Thanks Willcall. I thought I remembered seeing the OPS when I was doing the ball joints on my '01, but that was 2 years ago and the old memory isn't as good as it used to be.

 

[SoNic67]

I did exactly like Willcall said. Also you could add a 4"x1/4 NPT plumbing pipe to extend the location of that sensor - for ease of access. I used hi-temp Teflon tape (pink one) on threads. I added the extension pipe and a T on top of it, to plug in a "real" pressure gauge in that place.
And yes, the space is limited, that PS conduit takes only 1" but is 1" that you will need...

 

[koda2000]

I did exactly like Willcall said. Alternately you could add a 4"x1/4 NPT plumbing pipe to extend the location of that sensor - for ease of access. I used hi-temp Teflon tape on threads.

I appreciate the suggestion, but twice I tried using a 2"x1/4 NPT brass extension fitting to extend an oil pressure sensor horizontally and twice they cracked within a year making for a huge mess. Vibration? Metal fatigue? Don't think I want to try it again. You have to go easy on the Teflon tape on the threads too, because the sending unit needs to ground to the block to work.

 

[SoNic67]

The tape is so thin that will be cut by threads. One layer of tape is all I used.
Also, I used brass pipe, from Lowes - it is there for several years now. I took out the part that was connected to the analog pressure monitor and capped of. I forgot all the details now, I think I have a male-to-female changeover too.

Hmm, have to take a look in there just to see how's holding.

 

[Dono]

Honestly, pulling the accessory bracket off as vroomzoomboom suggested is a really fast (way quicker than it looks).
I needed to add a T to run another oil line from that spot, and it was super easy to do after getting the crap out of the way.