Oil Pressure Issues

[mhhwilly67]

I installed an oil pressure gauge to monitor the oil pressure during conditions of driving, stop/go traffic, start-up, at cold, and at normal temp.

1. At start-up, intermittently, no oil pressure and oil light comes on until I rev it up over 1500rpm and then oil starts to flow.

2. While the engine is cold, (and after the oil pressure kicks up), oil pressure reaches 40 psi.

3. As the temp rises, oil pressure lowers and finally bottoms at 15psi.

4. While driving psi reaches 25 psi.

5. During stop/go driving, it drops again to 10-20 psi - depending on outside air temp.

I just changed the oil and used SAE 5w30, Gastro sludge protection and changed oil presure sensor.

I was also looking at the Haynes manual and Autozone trouble shooting guide and it states to check the "oil presssure relief valve spring". They even showed a pic. I went to all the chain parts stores and Ford parts store. They looked at me like I had corn growing out of my ears.

ANY IDEAS WHERE I SHOULD LOOK?

 

[BrApple]

where did you install the gauge?

 

[mhhwilly67]

I put the gauge fitting in the same place where the senor was screwed to. I "T" ed it off to go to the gauge and to the oil light.

M

97 Contour 2.0L

 

[mhhwilly67]

Oil Pan Removal

Oil Pan Removal

I bought an oil pan gasket today and will take it out tomm. Just taking a peak underneath, It does not look to difficult. Pull down the cat, a plate mounted on an exuast pipe, and move a coolant hose.

1. Along with the questions above, what else should I look for, replace, clean, etc?

2. Does the oil pan job look harder than it really is?

 

[mhhwilly67]

Now I"m Stuck

Now I"m Stuck

I put some oil flush in the engine, ran it for 5 minutes and dropped the oil pan. Oil pump pick-up/screen tube was good. There was some sludge left in the pan. I put some Slick50 in it.

That did not fix my oil pressure issue. I still continue not to get oil pressure when i start car - intermittently. I have to rev the engine up to 2k rpm to get the oil flowing.

And when the engine is at normal op temp, it falls below 20 psi at idle.

I'm really dreading its the oil pump.