"Gonzo" <jkedward@stoneturtlesoftware.com> wrote in message
news:1138911188.482919.267270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>I have an 89 F250 diesel with a banks turbo and 60K miles on it. Nice
> truck.
>
> Recently, I was towing 9000 lbs of trailer across the Appalachians, and
> my oil pressure went from the bottom of the "low" of normal to just
> above the lowest mark...way below normal. I immediately pulled to the
> side and killed the engine, but the oil level was fine and the oil
> looked and smelled normal and since there was nothing obvious to fix, I
> finished the trip.
>
> Once home, I replaced the oil sensor sender with a pressure gauge, and
> found the oil pressure to be 30psi at cruising RPM (2500rpm) and
> dropped to 10psi at idle. I changed the oil (15w40 Shell rotella
> before and after the change), and the pressure went to 32psi at cruise
> and 20psi at idle.
>
> The oil pressure sensor is NOT where it was when the truck was first
> manufactured, but is now part of the Banks turbo retrofit: it is
> located at the end of a 1/4" oil supply tube that feeds the turbo.
>
> So, do I have a problem? Is the pressure too low? The guy that drove
> the first 40K miles on this truck used it to pull a big boat, but
> nothing outside the capability of this truck. Could the oil pump be
> going out? The engine runs fine, doesn't smoke, pulls strong. I've
> read the procedure for replacing the oil pump, and it sounds like a big
> job...any other suggestions?
>
Gonzo,
The BEST place to ask this question, or research it to see if anyone has
posted about a similar situation is at this site:
http://www.thedieselstop.com/
SOMEBODY there will probably know about it if it's a known issue with this
engine. Good Luck
