Oil Pressure When Cold
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From: charlotte, nc
Oil Pressure When Cold
Just got my Ford Ranger 2004 EDGE with the 3.0 v6 a few months ago from a neighbor who passed away. It did sit for a while after she passed, about 18 months. I put a new battery in and it started right up. This was in summer.
The vehicle only has 13,000 + miles because she rarely drove it.
The vehicle runs pretty good. I'm disappointed how little speed or hill climbing ability it has, but it's only 148 HP apparently.
When cold (example: 40 degrees F) the oil pressure gauge will read zero for the first 1-3 minutes. And the CHECK GAGE light will come on.
Have had the oil / filter changed. It wasn't low, no discoloration or anything.
From my research it seems like a known problem that these oil pressure dials will read zero when the vehicle is cold.
However it seems to me that on a day like today when the oil pressure reads zero, it's maybe not just the gauge. Because the vehicle seems more sluggish than usual, slower to climb hills, and if I give it the beans to try to raise the oil pressure (which often seems to work) the engine starts to sound like it's knocking or slapping, so I backed off.
On a day like today 40 degrees F had to drive it up a mild grade maybe 2-3 miles at moderate speed before the gauge finally registered.
After that the vehicle runs and sounds normal. So if I go somewhere and say, the truck sits for an hour or two and I come back and and it's still 40 degrees outside, it starts right up and has oil pressure instantly. It's just if it's been sitting overnight and it's cold outside that I will have this problem with low oil pressure.
Other than that it seems to run fine, but this problem worries me because it seems like I'm going to wreck the engine starting it on cold mornings.
Any ideas / advice on this?
The vehicle only has 13,000 + miles because she rarely drove it.
The vehicle runs pretty good. I'm disappointed how little speed or hill climbing ability it has, but it's only 148 HP apparently.
When cold (example: 40 degrees F) the oil pressure gauge will read zero for the first 1-3 minutes. And the CHECK GAGE light will come on.
Have had the oil / filter changed. It wasn't low, no discoloration or anything.
From my research it seems like a known problem that these oil pressure dials will read zero when the vehicle is cold.
However it seems to me that on a day like today when the oil pressure reads zero, it's maybe not just the gauge. Because the vehicle seems more sluggish than usual, slower to climb hills, and if I give it the beans to try to raise the oil pressure (which often seems to work) the engine starts to sound like it's knocking or slapping, so I backed off.
On a day like today 40 degrees F had to drive it up a mild grade maybe 2-3 miles at moderate speed before the gauge finally registered.
After that the vehicle runs and sounds normal. So if I go somewhere and say, the truck sits for an hour or two and I come back and and it's still 40 degrees outside, it starts right up and has oil pressure instantly. It's just if it's been sitting overnight and it's cold outside that I will have this problem with low oil pressure.
Other than that it seems to run fine, but this problem worries me because it seems like I'm going to wreck the engine starting it on cold mornings.
Any ideas / advice on this?
My 2003 3.0 has instant oil pressure even in 25 degree weather at 6am in the morning.
Your factory gauge is relatively worthless. It only reads nothing, or half scale. Even if you have 7 PSI of oil pressure, it will read right at half scale.
The problem is either the gauge itself sticking, or the pressure switch (passenger side back of engine). The switches are well known for failing, especially on the aftermarket ones from the parts store. I've owned my truck for 12 years and I'm on my third Motorcraft switch. They're the only brand that seem to last a decent amount of time.
Your factory gauge is relatively worthless. It only reads nothing, or half scale. Even if you have 7 PSI of oil pressure, it will read right at half scale.
The problem is either the gauge itself sticking, or the pressure switch (passenger side back of engine). The switches are well known for failing, especially on the aftermarket ones from the parts store. I've owned my truck for 12 years and I'm on my third Motorcraft switch. They're the only brand that seem to last a decent amount of time.
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