Mechanical oil pressure gauge installed but 80 PSI pressure!

[racefan99]

I just finished installing mechanical water temp and oil pressure gauges from Autometer (Phantom series) on my stock 2004 Mustang GT. No problems with the water temp gauge part.

For the oil pressure gauge, I used the second port on the oil filter housing for the oil feed line. I used copper tubing instead of the plastic tubing that came with the gauge. I see no obvious kinks in the line or other problems. Before connecting the other end of the tubing to the gauge I ran the engine until oil came out of the tubing. Then connected the tubing to the back of the gauge. No leaks or anything. However I have just about double the pressure I was expecting. It showed between 78 and 80 PSI at idle. That can't be right.

The oil pressure gauge is not fully installed in the pod yet. In the morning I'm going to try running the plastic tubing that came with the gauge to the gauge and see if it shows the same high pressure as with the copper tubing. Other than that, any ideas on something I might have overlooked or effed up? I installed these ones the same way I did on my 1995 GT and had no problems on the 1995.

Thanks for any ideas on stuff to check.

Rick

 

[jstreet0204]

Let it warm up. That is normal cold. Once mine warms up it still idles at about 45psi.

 

[sgarlic]

Normal.

I have cold idle around 80psi, and nearly 100psi cold when I rev it. Normal hot idle pressure for me is around 30.

 

[racefan99]

I guess you could say I'm surprised that 80 psi is a normal cold reading. Is this typical of the 4.6 motor? I don't remember the 5.0 in my 95 ever reading anywhere near that high, even when I was living in -20F weather by Ottawa, Canada.

Rick

 

[86bluecobra]

my 351w in B.C. hits the 75-80 psi when its cold. my bro in laws 440 mopar bounces off the 100psi when its cold. both engines run around 45-50 when warmed up at idle and i run around 55 psi cruising.

 

[sgarlic]

As I'm sure you're aware, the 4.6 and 5.0 is a completely different motor. Higher oil pressure is normal on our engines.

 

[86bluecobra]

As I'm sure you're aware, the 4.6 and 5.0 is a completely different motor. Higher oil pressure is normal on our engines.

it can be normal in a lot of motors. i have seen many a dodge chevy and ford engine run high psi when they are cold.

 

[Lazer2KGT]

My 4V runs around 100 psi cold and 60 to 70 hot @ idle, sounds normal. These motor make more oill pressure, probably due to them being OHC?
Scott

 

[triggz]

Mine runs pretty low PSI actually. Could be the dif in oil weights though.. Im using Mobil1 0-20, i think. It might be 5-20. Could also be the fact its an auto affecting engine load.

At hot idle, itll sit at 15... but the slightest touch on the throttle bumps it up to 30-40...normal cruising psi is 45-50. Cold revs dont quite peg it to 100..

 

[racefan99]

I just took it out for a drive and the oil pressure does drop from 80-90 psi when cold to 40ish when cruising. I'm not sure I made the best choice installing a dash pod on my 2004 GT but there's no turning back now.

Now, in another thread I have a water temp gauge question.

Thanks to all for your help and tips.

Rick

 

[John Smith]

My car shows 75psi cold, 20-25psi warm idle, 50-60psi cruising. I am running 5w-20w Mobil 1.

 

[Twisted]

Does the needle stay steady? My mechanical guage is moving +/-3 psi so fast it is making noise. It happens at all rpms. Wonder if my oil pump is dying?