Oil gauge not reading right?

I

impulse001

New Member

Jan 16, 2008

84

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0

New Jersey

Jan 28, 2008

#1

• Jan 28, 2008

• #1

So I just bought a 5.0, and the drive home was about 1 1/2 hours.. Plenty of time to feel out the car for a bit.

When I was crusing around 55-65 MPH the oil gauge would fluctuate between 0 and the first bar. When I was around 85-90 the oil gauge would be around the 2nd to 3rd bar. Why is it reading so low?

 

LiquidGT

Member

Oct 8, 2007

368

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16

Near STL hell

Jan 28, 2008

#2

• Jan 28, 2008

• #2

Replace the sending unit, mine had erratic readings when I first got it.

 

I

impulse001

New Member

Jan 16, 2008

84

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New Jersey

Jan 28, 2008

#3

• Jan 28, 2008

• #3

LiquidGT said:

Replace the sending unit, mine had erratic readings when I first got it.

Click to expand...

Well, what is the sending unit and where do I find it? lol

 

DMAN302

My mom says thanks for the pearl necklace.

Nov 8, 2003

2,120

2

59

windsor, Canada

Jan 28, 2008

#4

• Jan 28, 2008

• #4

I would get a good (and had fairly cheap) mechanical gauge on that car if the sender doesn't show anything better on the factory gauge after being replaced. Actually I might be inclined to get my hands on a gauge before replacing the sender (ford dealership will carry..usually 10-20 dollars.) Reason the pressure reads higher at higher speed is because the RPM is higher. Higher RPM means you're turning the pump faster...result is more pressure. Also when the engines cold oil tends to be thicker, combined with a higher cold idle..pressure will be higher than when hot.

First you need to find out IF you have low pressure by checking on a real gauge (stocker is in no way accurate...actually stock ford gauge is not even a decent dummy gauge)

 

LiquidGT

Member

Oct 8, 2007

368

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Near STL hell

Jan 28, 2008

#5

• Jan 28, 2008

• #5

Its the thing right next to the oil filter with one wire coming off of it.

 

I

impulse001

New Member

Jan 16, 2008

84

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New Jersey

Jan 28, 2008

#6

• Jan 28, 2008

• #6

Well, i really want to keep the inside of the car as stock as possible, so if I try replacing the sending unit, i take out the cable, and just unscrew the whole thing? Or do i have to unscrew a bolt or something from the bottom with a wrench?

 

LiquidGT

Member

Oct 8, 2007

368

0

16

Near STL hell

Jan 28, 2008

#7

• Jan 28, 2008

• #7

Just unplug it and wrench it from the bottom. Didnt take me 5 mins.

 

NKau

Founding Member

Dec 15, 2001

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37

Jefferson, WI

Jan 29, 2008

#8

• Jan 29, 2008

• #8

impulse001 said:

Well, i really want to keep the inside of the car as stock as possible, so if I try replacing the sending unit, i take out the cable, and just unscrew the whole thing? Or do i have to unscrew a bolt or something from the bottom with a wrench?

Click to expand...

Temporarily, unscrew the factory sender, and replace it with a cheap mechanical sender/guage. You don't have to even run it into the car. Just hook it up, leave the cheapo gauge underhood, and see where the oil psi is at a warm idle, and what it does when you rev the motor, then remove, and hook your stock sender back up.

You typically want 10 psi per 1,000 rpm your motor is turning. A fresh/healthy motor should still see 15-25 psi at warm idle though.