Oil Gauge Issues

[cchopin]

Quick one...when I start my engine cold in the morning, until the car warms up (usually about 5 mins or so after I start driving at about 30 mph) the check gauge light stays on and the oil pressure gauge stays bottomed out at L. Then on warmup the needle pops into the normal range and the idiot light goes out. Now I know my ford isn't really driving with no oil pressure for 5 minutes a day, or I'd need a new engine by now. So my guess is that I need to replace the oil pressure-sending unit on the engine.

So, anyone had this issue, or know if I'm right or wrong, and if I'm right, know how difficult this would be to replace?

Appreciate the help.

cc

 

[Howard]

I would suspect that it is just old thick oil blocking the input to the sender. Remove the sender and clean it out. Then change your oil more often.

 

[cchopin]

I would suspect that it is just old thick oil blocking the input to the sender. Remove the sender and clean it out. Then change your oil more often.

Every 3,000, thank you, but I bought it used about 10,000 miles ago at almost 60k. Thanks for the tip.

 

[jgilbs]

possibly 13k on your oil?! jeez, dont expect your engine to last more than 100k.

 

[cchopin]

possibly 13k on your oil?! jeez, dont expect your engine to last more than 100k.

Not sure where you get 13 from 3, but I'd be happy to lay a bet on that wager. My last used ford made it to 275,000 miles. And it was a p.o.s. 93 mustang lx.