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sudden drop in oil pressure??? what could cause this

  • Thread starter Thread starter 90lxcoupe
  • Start date Start date Jul 26, 2005

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Jul 26, 2005
#1
  • Jul 26, 2005
  • #1
ok i just got my car back on the road today and i took it to a local cruise night and it was running great, no problems at all. when i left there i went to my buddys house and romped on it throught first and second gear and the next time i looked at my oil pressure it was down to about 35 to 40 and when i was driving it was around 60. but before that it was at a little ove 50 at idle and a little over 75 when i was cruising around. what could cause this problem?? if it helps this is the first time ive driven the car more than just around the block since i put the supercharger on it and i've been trying to keep the rpms below 5300
 

maverick0716

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2002
3,924
0
56
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Jul 26, 2005
#2
  • Jul 26, 2005
  • #2
One possibility is you oil sender unit is starting to go bad....a similar thing happened to me. I would be driving and the oil pressure seemed fine, then when I was at a stop and the car was idling, the guage would slowly drop in pressure all the way to 0.....stressful, I tell ya I ended up replacing the sender and it turned out it was the problem.
 
T

tjm73

Founding Member
Aug 3, 2000
2,418
2
48
Rush, NY
Jul 26, 2005
#3
  • Jul 26, 2005
  • #3
Could have spun a bearing?
 
J

jaackal

New Member
May 12, 2003
402
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0
NJ
Jul 26, 2005
#4
  • Jul 26, 2005
  • #4
doesnt oil pressure drop a little once its heated up and flowing?
 

Euphoric306

New Member
Apr 5, 2004
905
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0
Jul 27, 2005
#5
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #5
jaackal said:
doesnt oil pressure drop a little once its heated up and flowing?
Click to expand...


good point
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Jul 27, 2005
#6
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #6
Have you driven it just like this before (same amount of time, same conditions, etc)?

Otherwise, I am with Jaackal. Between a romp, warmer temps (vs winter) and a blower, you can heat the oil up a bit.

Good luck.
 

bmo37

Founding Member
Jun 27, 2001
2,368
2
46
New Jersey
Jul 27, 2005
#7
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #7
maverick0716 said:
One possibility is you oil sender unit is starting to go bad....a similar thing happened to me. I would be driving and the oil pressure seemed fine, then when I was at a stop and the car was idling, the guage would slowly drop in pressure all the way to 0.....stressful, I tell ya I ended up replacing the sender and it turned out it was the problem.
Click to expand...

had the same probelm i would sit at a light when idling and the oil pressure guage would dancing up and down, change dthe oil pressure sending with and ran new wire and see was back to normal.
 
T

tjm73

Founding Member
Aug 3, 2000
2,418
2
48
Rush, NY
Jul 27, 2005
#8
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #8
I paid close attention to my car today and when I started it this morning it idles at about 60 psi and it climbed to about 64 psi at 3000rpm. Once it was warm it settled to about 50-52 psi. When I got off the expressway it idled at about 40 psi. Those are pretty normal. Nothing to worry about IMO.

I have a mechanical gauge BTW.
 
1

1990LXDropTop

New Member
Dec 4, 2003
430
0
0
Western Massachusetts
Jul 27, 2005
#9
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #9
When my car is warm I get about 25-35psi at idle and 50-55psi when driving. No problems.
 

Euphoric306

New Member
Apr 5, 2004
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0
Jul 27, 2005
#10
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #10
specs say 45-60 psi @ 2000 rpm
 

1988WHTGT

Member
Mar 31, 2005
270
0
17
Guyton, GA
Jul 27, 2005
#11
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #11
My car would go to zero everytime I would get on it after I rebuilt the motor....scared the crap out of me....then found out the wire that goes onto the send unit was a little loose and wouldn't make contact all the time
 
1

1990LXDropTop

New Member
Dec 4, 2003
430
0
0
Western Massachusetts
Jul 27, 2005
#12
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #12
I'd say as long as it stays above 25psi at warm idle, and raises as the rpms increase, then you are fine...
 

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Jul 27, 2005
#13
  • Jul 27, 2005
  • #13
tjm73 said:
Could have spun a bearing?
Click to expand...

why would you say spun bearing and would i be able to hear it in the motor at all
 
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