Change in oil pressure

[tkauf]

I have a 94 XLT which I bought 4 months ago with about 100/K miles. I have changed the oil twice in the last 4,500 miles (mostly highway). My pressure guage always runs about 2/3rd the way up the normal scale. Last weekend it had dropped to 1/3, was not a gradual drop, I just noticed it was running about 1/3 on the scale. I have a very slight noise from the engine and the level of oil is full. Now my question: I have heard other explorers with RTV silicone gasket problems. Little pieces of silicone in the oil clogging the pump screen. Does anyone have any experience with this. My plan is to change to 5/30 oil tonite (have been using Castrol 10/30) with a new filter of course. I intend to dump a quart of Kerosene in the motor with the drain plug out to hopefully flush the bottom of the pan. Is there any reason I can't do this? Also should I suspect my oil pressure sender as could be faulty? I have read other websites that claim you can drop the pan without disturbing the engine. My mechanic says you have to undo the motor mounts, disconnect the wiring harness and jack the motor up to get to the oil pump. Any comments, he wants $436.00; help!

 

[DeagleDave]

had a similar problem with my X a couple years ago....it was just the oil pressure sensor. not very expensive but i had problem with aftermarket ones, until i bought one from Ford. although i didn't have any engine noise associated with mine. try the sensor first and work up you know start with the least expensive first.

 

[Brian Meier]

Hey there tkauf first you should not put kerosene in your engine, it will make your rtv sealent swell up. Go to your local Ford dealer and ask for engine oil flush (part number CXC 53) this stuff will clean out your entire oil system. The only way rtv sealer can get clogged in your pick-up is if somebody re-sealed your engine and used too much rtv, you should ask the previous owner if the had the engine resealed(4.0l where bad oil leakers)
try just replacing the oil sender (part# E9SZ-9278-A). As for your noise all 4.0l make a slight lifter noise, but I have seen a few needing a new set of lifters. I hope the this will help with your problem

 

[tkauf]

Thanks for the reply

Thanks for your reply, I will do the cheapest fix first. As an update I talked with my wife she said the guage is reading in the middle now. I think I will replace the sensor and change the oil along with a premium filter and see what happens.

 

[tkauf]

Also thanks to Brian

Hey Brian,
Thanks for the warning on the Kerosene I will bag that part of the plan and maybe sacrifice an extra quart of motor oil instead. I am not used to anything with RTV gasket problems; our last SUV was a Rodeo on lease never really had to do anything but change the oil. Do you think the Castrol 10/30 I have been using may be the culprit? I usually use Chevron in all my rigs but Wally World here stopped carrying it so I switched to Castrol. I think I am going to drop back to 5/30 on the weight and see what happens.

 

[DeagleDave]

this is a 94 X right? i wouldn't waste the money going to 5w-30, stay with 10w-30 and if it was me i'd be doing at least 10w-40. This thicker oil will run better on a high mileage engine and being thicker oil less of it will leak out. Don't know if you have any leaks but our valve cover gaskets and lower intake manifold gaskets WILL start to leak if they haven't already.

 

[tkauf]

thanks for the info

Oddly enough neither of my rigs drips any oil. But thanks for the info. I did not have a chance to change the x's oil last nite but will do it tonight. I did something real stupid I. I pressure washed the motor in my truck, also a 4.0. It starts ok but lopes like crazy at idle blowing carbon out the exhaust. I wonder which sensor monitors the fuel injection mix, I obviously got it real wet. I thought maybe it would dry overnight but no such luck. Anyone who has had this experience is invited to post (Tom: bangs head on desk at work)

 

[DeagleDave]

pressure washing it isn't bad....you're lucky you did get it in the coil pack or any of the electronics....just let it run or throw in some good gas and take for it for a little 2 hour trip that outta clean it out ok.