HELP! Oil pressure guage all the way past low.

[FrdExp92]

Ok so I drove the truck this morning with no issues for like 30 minutes. I pulled up and parked, then came out to leave again after a few hours. I noticed a relatively small patch of light red liquid on ground (i figure tranny fluid) but not enough to be overly concerned. I left and drove an hour and parked again. Then an hours or so later I started the truck and noticed the oil pressure guage shoot all the way past low. I turned the truck off and restarted it and it stayed that way. then I noticed a small oil splotch on driveway as well, bigger than the normal spot it leaves. It is a 1992 4.0 v6 with a 150K on the clock. Anyone with suggestions would be appreciated. I'm worried about taking it somewhere near where I live b/c shops will poke your eyes out if you don't speak spanish.

 

[FrdExp92]

also: I checked fluid level for both oil and tranny fluid, they were both ok.

 

[geoph1986]

The oil pressure gauges in these trucks are just glorified idiot lights. 6lbs of pressure is all it needs to read "normal". I would start by checking the sending unit and wiring to it.

 

[Elessar65]

The oil pressure gauges in these trucks are just glorified idiot lights. 6lbs of pressure is all it needs to read "normal". I would start by checking the sending unit and wiring to it.

X2^^^

Also, low pressure doesn't necessarily equate to low oil level. Obviously if there is no oil the pressure will be low, but if the level isn't low start with the sending unit. Does the truck make knocking and banging noises? Get a pressure tester (like $15-30) and put it on in place of the sending unit and see what that reads. After that drop the pan and take a look at the pickup, the screen might be plugged up with crud. Also an easy fix.

 

[FrdExp92]

Its got that infamous (so I read) ticking noise, I recently changed the oil with 4qts oil and 1qt marvel mystery oil. I just acquired this truck the middle of January so I have no idea of its history but it runs like a champ. Ok so where would the sending unit be located?

 

[fullmetal6]

drivers side of the block about a inch above the oil pan near the front of the block. If it is like mine it has a little adapter that screws into the block then the sending unit screws into that adapter at a angle. It isnt hard to get to from under the front of the engine. The sending unit itself is cheap, and they are known to go out alot. Good luck.

 

[Robert Nick]

I had the same oil-pressure gauge symptom last weekend. We have had so many squirrels running around this winter. I checked the sending unit and one of the squirrels ate the wire at the sending unit. I did a quick repair with my Ungar Solder Station.

 

[geoph1986]

Just a thought...if you are swapping the oil pressure switch anyway, why not do the oil pressure gauge mod? It's as simple as getting a different sending unit and shorting a 20ohm resistor.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14894&highlight=oil+pressure+mod

 

[FrdExp92]

thank you so much yall for your help. i really let myself get real worked up over nothing. it was the pressure switch/guage. really sucked though i had 2 buy a new socket to remove it and i got an eye full of oil. lol thanks a bunch guys

 

[rhauf]

Its got that infamous (so I read) ticking noise, I recently changed the oil with 4qts oil and 1qt marvel mystery oil. I just acquired this truck the middle of January so I have no idea of its history but it runs like a champ. Ok so where would the sending unit be located?

About the ticking noise...

it's caused because the push rods wear down on top, thus leaving a little play in the valve train. the "fix" for this is to replace the push rods.. and replace them with hardened ones, so they don't wear down again. oil additives will not resolve the ticking. then again, a little bit of lifter tick won't hurt anything either. (but you will gain a slight bit of power by fixing it, as its reducing valve lift slightly) all in all, the 4.0 ohv's are good engines, they run forever and take a lot of abuse (with the exception of over heating)