Bronco II 2.9L low oil pressure Q

[ragajungle]

I have been using my Bronco to commute about 150 miles a day... I know the OP gauge on 4.0L is either on or off, but what's the story with the 2.9L.... It is unnerving to drive at 70mph and see my gauge just barely above the "L" for Low. I use full SYN and have no valve train or bearing noises..I run a tight ship in the maint department for my B2.

Could the sender be bad?
Is this a faux gauge like the ones on 4.0L's?

I plan to replace the sender this weekend but I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what they did to resolve.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[coco944x4s]

if your that concerned with it, put a true mechanical gauge on it and check it to see.

 

[4x4junkie]

Is this a faux gauge like the ones on 4.0L's?

Yes. The sender for it is nothing more than an on-off pressure switch.

 

[ragajungle]

if your that concerned with it, put a true mechanical gauge on it and check it to see.

I bought a new pressure gauge this last week and plan to test it this weekend - I assume I just pull the sender and install the gauge in its place?

It is just weird that if it is an regular fake (on/off) switch that it would very like that. hmmmm.

I'll make sure to post results.

 

[4x4junkie]

Probably a bad connection somewhere (sender or the wiring/connections).

Though I've actually seen the one on my 4.0 Ranger vary at random a tiny amount too.

 

[ragajungle]

90 PSI on gauge!

if your that concerned with it, put a true mechanical gauge on it and check it to see.

I hooked up the oil pressure gauge on it this morning. I Seafoamed the crank case and changed the oil with Synthetic 5w30 (it was time anyways)
when I fired her up I was pleased.
60PSI @ 500RPM
90PSI @ 3000 RPM.

I put the new sender on and the gauge settled "A" of [normal] I am relieved it isn't a bearing problem or a stopped up sump and screen.

FYI installing the new one was easy as pie.
>$10 at Advance Auto Parts
> Pull off the connector
> Use a 1-1/8 deep-well socket to take off
> Install new one with a bit of teflon tape on the threads
> Hand tighten and snug with socket again
> Viola "pressure change-o"

 

[Dave01234]

Wow, I think that is really high but if your not blowing out gaskets maybe your in spec. I did some research and I read that on a 2.9L at operating temp and Idle that the oil pressure should be 22psi. My 2.9L starts out around 20psi and when it gets warm it drops to 8-10 psi and taps so bad that you would think its a diesel. The truck was over heated years ago and new heads and an oil pump was installed. I'm not going to put any time or money into it I'm swapping a 4.0 into it.

 

[ragajungle]

Wow, I think that is really high but if your not blowing out gaskets maybe your in spec. I did some research and I read that on a 2.9L at operating temp and Idle that the oil pressure should be 22psi. My 2.9L starts out around 20psi and when it gets warm it drops to 8-10 psi and taps so bad that you would think its a diesel. The truck was over heated years ago and new heads and an oil pump was installed. I'm not going to put any time or money into it I'm swapping a 4.0 into it.

Dave,
I checked the Oil Pressure in my 99 Ex OHV 4.0L and it was way off to. My Harbor Frieght gauge is flaking out... I checked with another gauge and WOT is 55-60PSI on my B2

 

[Dave01234]

I have a Harbor Freight gauge too. Maybe mine is off on the low side. AutoZone wanted $40 for an oil pressure gauge. $8 at harbor Freight and it had the Ford adapter the one at Autozone didn't have the Ford adapter that was another $8