low oil pressure.....then high - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

eafairmontghia · 09-20-2003, 15:28

hey everyone

was cruisin round last night and noticed that my oil pressure gauge rises and falls whilst im at idle, and im not talking a little bit......i mean it almost does a full sweep of the gauge at idle

whats usually the prob hear?

cArSiK · 09-20-2003, 18:26

according to the Manual thats totally normal , however mine never does it....

eafairmontghia · 09-20-2003, 22:41

hmm........seems a bit wierd thats all......

i just went for a 45 min drive and when i got home i turned the car off adn turned it back on

the oil pressure needle was sitting right under the red zone (too high)

im always keeping my eye on it....

thanks for the reply cArSiK

anyone else got any info on this

Rollin · 09-21-2003, 00:31

check that the wire is firmly attached to the sender on the engine, and that it has good contact.

if that is all ok, its possible you have a sticking oil pressure relief valve, and you should get it fixed, if your oil pressure goes too high it can blow your oil filter apart and spew your oil everywhere, resulting in possibly a) a stuffed motor, or b)a stuffed car from crashing due to slipping on your own oil, or c)both of the above...

eafairmontghia · 09-21-2003, 01:09

ok stupid question comming

where is the oil pressure sender located?

and if that is ok is it possible to repair the pressure releif valve myself?

cArSiK · 09-21-2003, 15:31

the pressure sender is located about 5cm above the oil filter , it screws into the side of the block..it has one wire off it

mongrelEB · 09-23-2003, 04:07

Chance is, there's just a loose connection or oil in the connection. The sender works off variable resistance AFAIK so oil or looseness can cause what you describe.
Just for the record mine doesn't do it either :)