on cold mornings when i start it for the first time the oil pressure will jump around. it will sit at the L then jump up to normal then go back down. it doesnt go anywhere in between and it isnt a slow movement. sometimes it will sit at the L for a long time. it runs normal no tapping or anything. it is a 2.5l with a manual trans. any one have any idea on what is causing this and what i can do to fix it?

 

The oil pressure "gauge" uses an on-off pressure switch as a sending unit - these sending units are notoriously unreliable. Better get it fixed before you have a real problem and don't know it.

 

Yah, Bob's dead on. We have a guage that is nothing more than a mechanical "idiot light". Those switches, as he says, have a checkered history. I agree with that assesment.

There is a REMOTE possiblity of a bad bypass valve which is opening and bypassing the oil back into the sump. This is rare. Generally, it's easy just to replace the switch and see if the problem goes away. If it's doesn't, get a real gauge on it temporarily to test what's really happening (or have your dealer look at it).

Generally though, oil starvation shows up as valve train noise of one type or another. If you're not getting that, you probably have adequate oil.

 

there isnt any valve noise so i was pretty sure it was getting oil, ill see about getting the switch...thanks for the info

 

i have an 88 ranger with a 2.0l i have 91 2.3 HEAD ON IT. a esslinger 2 bbl intake with a matorcraft 2 bbl carb. when in town or at an idle it does not leak oil. on the hwy however it blows oil frome every seal, the pvc and the valve cover vent. the oil pressure reads on the top of the guage but only at the top norm line. i am verry frustrated. i have tried all i know and am at a loss here can anyone help?.

 

Bad seals? Seems at high psi she blows. Does the 2.3L head fit on the 2.0L??

 

most likely a broken guage check it out

 

yes the only difference is the valve size.