One of my buddys just bought a 90 Ranger. It has the 2.9 in it thats why i put it in this section. Anyhow on to the problem the oild pressure drops but only when giving it gas which seems weird to me because oil pressure should be gaining at this point as soon as you let of the gas it starts going back up. Any idea's on what the problem maybe?

Sorry if this is the wrong section but i didn't see one for the 2.9

 

might be a faulty gauge

 

Thats kinda what i was thinking i know these gauges are nothing to brag about..

 

or computer error shorted wire anything really

 

So would you say its something that needs to be looked into very quickly? Just as a guess

 

If you're lucky , it is only a bad sending unit for the guage.
If replacing that doesn't change the problem , I suggest dropping the oil pan and check the pump input for blockage.The screen may be sludged up enough to starve the oil pump.

 

Are you sure the pressure being measured isn't fuel pressure?

 

i would change oil and filter on it, if not replace the sender, if not you are going to have to drop the pan and look. it could be a restricted pickup or a bad pump. it would not be a computer error because the oil pressure reading does not go through the PCM

 

you can buy u a cheap oil pressure gauge and wire it ur self and see what it does

 

I don't know at what year the gauge turned fake. Replace the sender.

If you still suspect it get diagnostic gauge on it. These will be a temporary gauge used for troubleshooting. Or you can go with an aftermarket gauge/sender.

 

Ok thanks guys we will give all of this a shot!

 

90 has a fake gauge it basically tells you that you have pressure, it doesn't change unless it drops below a set point.

if its 4x4 the oil pan is very hard to get out, haven't tried it on a 4x2 but i heard it was easier, still involves the engine mounts being moved though

 

Yeh its a 4x4. So pretty much from what i can tell before the guage moves the oil pressure is already too low and its going to start messing stuff up?

 

the first thing that might go bad are the lifters from bad lube, if they aren't tapping yet i would try the sender first, if that doesn't help drop the pan and get that pump changed

 

Actually the lifters are making some noise.

 

The push rod cups are known to be weak and wear fast. Oiling is also weak though the push rods.