billyzack

I just bought a 97 F-150 with a 4.2 V-6 with 110,000 miles. It runs excellent but after it warms up, when I stop at a light, the oil pressure gauge drops to low. I put it in neutral and it goes back up. As soon as I give it some gas, it goes bask to normal as long as I'm driving. It runs smooth, has power, I just happened to look at the oil gauge today and it was going up and down. Has anyone had this problem? I suspect a clog somewhere or a bad oil pump. Maybe the oil pick up tube but how can I check that? Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance/ Billy

Fast_V8

Is it cold by you?

ottawaguy

Billy,
first off....welcome to the site.
As for your gauge, I suspect that it is a ground problem or a sender.
These gauges are not true pressure gauges. They are electronic not mechanical and at 7 psi, will go to dead center on the gauge(at 6 show nothing). Anything else indicates a problem.
You can check the connection at the sender.
You can install an aftermarket mechanical gauge to ensure you always know the corrects pressure.

ottawaguy

Does temperature affect oil pressure on a warm/hot engine?

Fast_V8

No but since you insist on being a jackass in two threads towards me you can stop being such a damn *** and read up. Ford is noatrious for having bad sender units in cold weather. I have heard at least 20 different cases.

ottawaguy

I just asked a question? How was that being an ***.
Obviously you had a reason for asking?
I live in Canada and have never heard of that....
The poster is trying solve a problem, I was trying to help

I think you're being the ***.....

Fast_V8

Oh, my bad I thought you were tring to be like it wont be affected. I have heard sender units go bad in cold weather.

billyzack

I am going to start with the sender unit since its the cheapest and easiest. I think I hear some slight lifter noise when the gauge is reading low, maybe my imagination but after changing the sensor, I will change the pump, if that doesn't work, I'm stuck. Thanks, Billy

ottawaguy

Did you read my post?
Your gauge does not read "low"
It has two positions.....on & off
...but feel free to throw money at the problem.

Fast_V8

Couldn't be more correct.