Oil Guage Problem?

[Afboy143]

My oil guage in the morning since it started getting colder here in florida sticks on the low pressure and goes up after a while. I did some research and really didnt find out how to exactly fix it. I did find however i need to replace the oil sending unit that is somewhere above the oil filter on a 99 explorer SOHC? Can someone confirm this and tell me what I need to detailed do? thanks

 

[pumpkin]

That's what it is. Mines sticks every morning, then pops up after a few minutes. I bought a oil sending unit today for $9.83 +tax at the dealership. I'll have to change it during my next oil change because I just found out the easiest path to the sending unit is blocked by the oil filter.
On the SOHC engine, it doesn't appear to be that dif###ult to get to. It looks like it's located underneath one of the radiator hoses. (looking at a picture). Disconnect the wire, screw it out and replace.

 

[Ken99EB]

But is that the location on a SOHC?

 

[CodePoet]

Dont' put much stock in the factory gauge...it's a dummy. There's a link on here about how to fix it/modify it to work or you could replace it with a real mechanical one.

cp

 

[pumpkin]

Ken99EB, sorry about the confusion, I have the V8 engine where the sending unit is located between the block & oil filter. Wish I knew how to insert a picture.

On the SOHC engine, the sending unit is located on driverside, behind the where the lower radiator hose connects to the water pump. In another thread, I read where someone used a 13/16 socket but when I took the sending unit to Autozone with me to buy one, the 13/16 was too small. In the repair book, they look identical but maybe the one on the SOHC is smaller. Anyway, Autozone sells a Oil Pressure Switch Socket (1" - 1 1/16") that was a perfect fit for $5.99.

CodePoet, at $9.83, there's definately not much stock put into it. I read the thread on Fake Oil Pressure Gauge and if it were a cheap screw in, connect the wire and drive type thing, of course I would do it. What's the true benefit of spending $70+ on one real gauge, removing the instrument panel, splicing wires, jumping wires and changing ohms for gauge that's going to bounce up and down like a tachometer everytime you step on or off the gas. As long as the gauge shows that I have adequate oil pressure, I'm happy. If my oil pressure should fall, the dummy needle will drop to the bottom. What's the importance of knowing exactly what the oil pressure is?

 

[CodePoet]

I understand what your saying. For me, it's being able to diagnose problems better, knowing whta the pressure is, not if within some range is valuabe to me. You can get a mechanical gauge for around 30 bucks like this autometer gauge. It was just a suggestion.

cp

 

[pumpkin]

That's cool. I just couldn't believe what some people were doing to get the gauge to move. Either way, if you lose oil pressure and you have the dummy gauge or buy a real gauge, you're going to have to spend more money to get it fixed.

 

[TJM623]

i'll go with pumpkin on this one...I'm sure I could find something better to spend 30 on that i'd actually use...But if that's your piece of pie code go for it

 

[mroberts]

Same Problem

My explorer has the same problem...Never did it thought until they replaced my instrument cluster in an eeffort to help a wandering gas gauge. (didnt help much). How much for a dealer to replace it all? I am worthless wtih fixin it myself Or do u think they damaged it when replacing gauges?
Thanks

 

[Maniak]

Don't forget, just having 5psi of oil pressure (the setting on the dummy gauge) doesn't mean you have enough.

If something happens that keeps your oil pressure from coming up to where it belongs (but stays above 5 psi) and you drive on the freeway you will fry bearings etc.. With the rpms/load you want more pressure and if your gauge always reads good with 5+ psi you won't know if your running low pressure, only if you lose all oil pressure..

~Mark

 

[TJM623]

My explorer has the same problem...Never did it thought until they replaced my instrument cluster in an eeffort to help a wandering gas gauge. (didnt help much). How much for a dealer to replace it all? I am worthless wtih fixin it myself Or do u think they damaged it when replacing gauges?
Thanks

My gas guage wanders too...It will go from half a tank while i'm driving to 1/4 a tank in like 10 mins....and then i stop at a light and it goes back up to half a tank maybe i just have sweet brakes that refuel my gas tank while stopped Doesn't bother me 2 bad i just look at the guage b4 i start driving to get a sense and i fill up way b4 the light comes on so no worries

 

[pumpkin]

Well I got the new oil sending unit installed last night. The new one is bigger than the old one. The old sending unit did take a 13/16 socket. My 3/8" socket was too short, so I had to buy a 1/2" 13/16 deep socket which is a little longer. Now the gauge works right away when I start it up. No more "check gauge" light for several minutes. I have no problem with the other gauges.

 

[general x]

my oil pressure gauge on my 92 x does the same thing when its cold outside, sticks to 0 for a while til it heats up and then shoots to the normal range, thing is my truck is making some new noises now and i think its getting deprived of oil, is there any way i can keep the oil in my pan warm so when i start up my engine gets oil where it needs it? the block heater hasent been helping to keep the oil warm and its Flippin cold out

edit- wow -40 degrees celcius converts directly to -40 degrees farenhight, anyway its average -30 to -40 around here (celcuis) just ta let cha know

 

[nascar_intimid]

you can buy a magnetic 120v block heater for cheap that you can stick on your oil pan and will keep the oil toasty warm

 

[general x]

lol thats what i ended up doing, i got a mechanical oil pressure gauge on their now and it reads about 40 psi of pressure at idle when cold and it drops down to about 25 psi pressure at idle when warm ><

 

[bldrums]

I have the same problem on my 2001 with both the oil pressure and the temp gauges sticking when cold. Both "pop" on ( not at the same time ) after about 1/2 mile then work normally until the engine is dead cold again. Not a problem in warm weather.
I wonder if the circuit board ( cold solder joints ) could be a problem. I hope I am not starving the engine of oil. About the temp gauge...........??