• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

High Oil Pressure Upon Starting

  • Thread starter Thread starter boomkat
  • Start date Start date Sep 10, 2016
  • Tags Tags
    98 mustang oil pressure
B

boomkat

Member
Sep 10, 2016
9
1
13
Sep 10, 2016
#1
  • Sep 10, 2016
  • #1
Hello everyone!

New to stangnet.com, but have been browsing around for a while.

Just traded for my first mustang - a 1998 Cobra clone with a 4.6L. Absolutely love the mustang. It's the most enjoyable vehicle I've ever owned. I'm hooked for sure.



I'm currently working on fixing a few things (IAC, finding the mysterious 'antifreeze' leak and overheating issue, and the AC Clutch), but what has me most puzzled is the high oil pressure when I first start it up.

I have a mechanical gauge on the pillar and it reads right around 80psi. It tends to go down as the car warms up. Is that normal? What would be a dangerous range that I need to keep an eye out for?

Thanks in advance for your help!

- Boomkat
 

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 7, 2002
9,531
5,187
224
Sep 10, 2016
#2
  • Sep 10, 2016
  • #2
80psi on startup is a little high, but not unheard of. I see 3.6 Chryslers hit 100psi+ with a fresh oil change before they warm up.

My 302 will hit 70psi, but I'm running 20w50 in it.

My old GMC would see 80 immediately after every oil change, and then not see it again until the next one.

Really not that unusual.
 
B

boomkat

Member
Sep 10, 2016
9
1
13
Sep 11, 2016
#3
  • Sep 11, 2016
  • #3
Thanks for the quick reply. Learning more every day. Glad to know it's not unusual. now to focus on the bigger items!

Have a great day!

- Boomkat
 

mogs01gt

Founding Member
Jul 22, 2002
3,113
30
119
Ohio
Sep 12, 2016
#4
  • Sep 12, 2016
  • #4
I'd drain the oil and put a 5w30 or 10w30 in, the previous owner could be attempting to cover up spun bearings with super thick oil. 80psi is pretty ing high.
 
B

boomkat

Member
Sep 10, 2016
9
1
13
Sep 14, 2016
#5
  • Sep 14, 2016
  • #5
mogs01gt said:
I'd drain the oil and put a 5w30 or 10w30 in, the previous owner could be attempting to cover up spun bearings with super thick oil. 80psi is pretty ****ing high.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice! I've got it parked for the moment until I can get the coolant leak issue fixed. Once I start working on that I'll try the oil weight you recommended.

Sent from my SM-G935R4 using Tapatalk
 
B

boomkat

Member
Sep 10, 2016
9
1
13
Sep 18, 2016
#6
  • Sep 18, 2016
  • #6
So good news - I stopped off the coolant and picked up a new thermostat. I noticed that once I replaced the thermostat that it was still running 230-240 degrees on idle. I went back to the parts store and found out that I had a V6 thermostat rather than the 4.6l thermostat. Call me crazy, but I think that may have contributed to the high temps. I replaced the thermostat and its running at a cool 205 degrees under load. Very, very happy. Oil pressure runs about 80 psi around startup, but even it's dropping down to 40-60 psi while going down the road. Seems like all good news!

Thanks for the help in getting all this figured out!
- Boomkat
 
Reactions: 90sickfox
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
Weird Voltage & Oil Pressure Gauges
  • PNN
  • May 22, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
40
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech May 22, 2026
PNN
P
K
Engine 2000 Mustang GT - Fuel issue post-blown spark plug repair
  • kenster1092
  • Feb 26, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
305
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Mar 10, 2026
kenster1092
K
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1996–1998 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
696
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1999–2004 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
830
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
G
2006 Mustang GT o2 Sensor Wiring Issue Car Bogging/Choking
  • GCantero93
  • Sep 5, 2025
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
4
Views
912
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech Sep 6, 2025
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?