Oil Pressure Going NUTS

MikeROD16 · Jul 1, 2008

Ok, so i changed the oil on my car not too long ago. But when I turn on the car, the oil pressure is normal and within a few moments, itll start shooting up and down the whole gauge like some crazy guy on crack. It really bothers me cuz you can hear it hitting the top and bottom of the gauge. I changed the Oil Pressure Sensor hoping it would fix things but it didnt. Is it that i put too much oil or what?

Dino Dino Bambino · Jul 1, 2008

MikeROD16 said:
Ok, so i changed the oil on my car not too long ago. But when I turn on the car, the oil pressure is normal and within a few moments, itll start shooting up and down the whole gauge like some crazy guy on crack. It really bothers me cuz you can hear it hitting the top and bottom of the gauge. I changed the Oil Pressure Sensor hoping it would fix things but it didnt. Is it that i put too much oil or what?

It sounds like the oil pressure gauge itself may be faulty. The only way to find out is to hook up a mechanical gauge and see if the oil pressure really does fluctuate. If it does, the problem is a sticking oil pressure relief valve inside the oil pump and the cure is a new pump.

ninety15.0 · Jul 1, 2008

well how much oil did you put in? That would answer that question pretty quickly? Did you take 5 quarts out? Did you put 5 quarts in?

I would get a nice mechanical OP gauge on there and see what the deal really is.

monte87 · Jul 1, 2008

Sounds like the bad wiring, grounding out someplace. i would check the wire going to the sensor and replace it. Myabe the plastic/rubber sheath has scraped off someplace and it hitting the block or some type of metal-causing intermittent fluctuating readings.

Later-Good luck, Ant

Dino Dino Bambino · Jul 1, 2008

monte87 said:
Sounds like the bad wiring, grounding out someplace. i would check the wire going to the sensor and replace it. Myabe the plastic/rubber sheath has scraped off someplace and it hitting the block or some type of metal-causing intermittent fluctuating readings.

Unless it's intermittent, grounded out wiring will cause the gauge to stay pegged to the right on high.

btsclan · Jul 1, 2008

When you changed your oil, did you use an engine flush or just a straight change? I know sometimes when you use an engine flush additive before you drain it, the engine flush can dislodge a peice of gasket somewhere in the engine. If that happened it might of gotten caught in the oil pump and or oil pump screen. Its either something like that or a bad gauge, but I would say that its something to do internally with the engine since the problem only began after you changed the oil.

MikeROD16 · Jul 1, 2008

well, i put 5 quarts in. idk how much came out. but yeah, i actually bought an engine flush the other week, im going to flush it and replace the oil again when i get the rocker arm tightened again. got loose on me

5.0W/5.0 · Apr 8, 2010

Oil Presure question

So, on my way to work today, I noticed my oil presure was at zero. I have not been paying much attention to it lately, since I did the efan swap, so I have been monitoring my coolant and batt. gauge more than my speedo. As soon as I noticed it, I did not hear or feel anything different with the car. I drove it another 10 miles without any issues, no spike in the coolent temps or anything. Checked the oil with it running, and with it off and seamed ok. I just changed the oil, and I am running 5-30. When I changed it, it was about a quart low, and was very think, I would say at least straight 30W.

Any ideas?

TenorPlayinGuy · Apr 8, 2010

Replace the gauge in the cluster. I believe that whole side can be removed/replaced.

rd · Apr 8, 2010

X2 on the gage. This happened on my 79 once. Drove me nuts. Ran fine, did not make death noises. Put a mechanical gage in and it was fine.

Changed the stock gage, and fixed it. A plastic part of the gage had cracked allowing the wire to move and bounce the needle around.

90_Red_LX · Apr 8, 2010

I'd put money on a faulty gauge also. A simple oil change is pretty much impossible to screw up if your 10% mechanically inclined, and would be very unlikely to cause y our issue.

281pony · Apr 9, 2010

the very first thing i do to alll my mustangs is an oil pressure and temp gauge. they are easy to install and pretty cheap. i think for about $100 you can get a pod and both gauges.

very useful for everyday driving..

5.0W/5.0 · Apr 9, 2010

281pony said:
the very first thing i do to alll my mustangs is an oil pressure and temp gauge. they are easy to install and pretty cheap. i think for about $100 you can get a pod and both gauges.

very useful for everyday driving..

Thanks for the info guys! I didn't hear the death noises like you said. I was thinking of doing a sn95 interior swap in the future and still might, but I was also thinking of getting rid of the stock guages and going completely aftermarket. I really like the equous gauges and may just do the oil and temp like you said...

5.0W/5.0 · Apr 9, 2010

OOOOOHHHH NNNOOOOEEESSSS

It was the oil pump! Had the clickety clacks on the way home! Gonna have to pull the motor now....I did not want to experience a ford rebuild this early!

281pony · Apr 9, 2010

sorry bro..

take my advice, put an oil pressure and water temp gauge in now. know your readings are accurate and shut her down immidiately. would have saved you a bottom end.

5.0W/5.0 · Apr 9, 2010

there are two ways to look at it....One, I know have to put what I want in it, can strip it all the way down and start new. Two....DAMN FORDS!!!!

Not sure what direction I am going to go....Still have to tell the wife!

Cobra1741 · Apr 9, 2010

5.0W/5.0 said:
So, on my way to work today, I noticed my oil presure was at zero. I have not been paying much attention to it lately, since I did the efan swap, so I have been monitoring my coolant and batt. gauge more than my speedo. As soon as I noticed it, I did not hear or feel anything different with the car. I drove it another 10 miles without any issues, no spike in the coolent temps or anything. Checked the oil with it running, and with it off and seamed ok. I just changed the oil, and I am running 5-30. When I changed it, it was about a quart low, and was very think, I would say at least straight 30W.

Any ideas?

alot of times ive noticed that the when the oil pressure spikes its a good sign the oil pump might be going out. but if mine did it and i felt no difference in performance for a little bit, id be like ahh its just another cluster problem. i guess the only way to know with the foxes coolant and oil pressure is to get an aftermarket gauge! that sucks to hear it was the oil pump tho. and good luck with the woman of the house

Oil Pressure Going NUTS

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