2.3l Low Oil Pressure

craigstang · 03-02-2004, 11:14 AM

Just bought a 1988 LX with the 140 2.3l engine with 265,000 Km's. Everythign runs well except that the Oil Pressure dissapears after it warms up and I idle. Could this be the Oil Pump or maybe just a pluged oil pickup? Is it a big job to replace the Oil Pump if this is the case?

Thanks,
Craigstang

84LX89GT · 03-03-2004, 09:40 PM

Oil is thicker when it's cold and when it warms up and gets thinner it doesn't fill the clearances of the engine as well (if it's excessive). Chances are your main and rod bearings are worn and need replacement. Changing just the oil pump won't fix your problem unless you get a high volume, which it MAY fill up the gaps better - but if you're in there check and replace the bearings. A temporary solution is running thicker oil like 15w40, 20W50 or even a straight weight like 30, or 40 (wouldn't recommend straight 50 if you plan on actually driving it) and your oil pressure will go up. I had the same problem in my '87 Jeep Cherokee and i went up in oil viscosity (from 5W30 to 15W40) and the oil pressure came up to where it should have been.

craigstang · 03-03-2004, 10:00 PM

hay i went to my shop and pressure tested the block and found out that is all right. so i replaced the sending unit and this took care of the problem. thanks for the info tho

84LX89GT · 03-04-2004, 11:50 PM

Glad to hear it was something simple

03-02-2004, 11:14 AM	#1
craigstang Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2	2.3l Low Oil Pressure Just bought a 1988 LX with the 140 2.3l engine with 265,000 Km's. Everythign runs well except that the Oil Pressure dissapears after it warms up and I idle. Could this be the Oil Pump or maybe just a pluged oil pickup? Is it a big job to replace the Oil Pump if this is the case? Thanks, Craigstang

03-03-2004, 09:40 PM	#2
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	Oil is thicker when it's cold and when it warms up and gets thinner it doesn't fill the clearances of the engine as well (if it's excessive). Chances are your main and rod bearings are worn and need replacement. Changing just the oil pump won't fix your problem unless you get a high volume, which it MAY fill up the gaps better - but if you're in there check and replace the bearings. A temporary solution is running thicker oil like 15w40, 20W50 or even a straight weight like 30, or 40 (wouldn't recommend straight 50 if you plan on actually driving it) and your oil pressure will go up. I had the same problem in my '87 Jeep Cherokee and i went up in oil viscosity (from 5W30 to 15W40) and the oil pressure came up to where it should have been. __________________ 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300-R 1980 Ford Thunderbird - 255 V8 ported heads, 5.0L ported stock headers, O.R. H-pipe and Flowmaster 2-chambers, dual roller timing chain hi-po Mack Truck hood emblem 1985 Mustang GT 5.0L T5, F-303, GT40p, headers, off-road h, flowmasters, MSD stuff, etc. Sold 02/06/04 1989 Mustang GT ET: 13.304@102.29 mph (5-24-03) Sold - 1998 Mustang Cobra coupe, 1/4 mile - street tires: 13.843@103.41 (bone stock)

03-04-2004, 11:50 PM	#4
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	Glad to hear it was something simple __________________ 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300-R 1980 Ford Thunderbird - 255 V8 ported heads, 5.0L ported stock headers, O.R. H-pipe and Flowmaster 2-chambers, dual roller timing chain hi-po Mack Truck hood emblem 1985 Mustang GT 5.0L T5, F-303, GT40p, headers, off-road h, flowmasters, MSD stuff, etc. Sold 02/06/04 1989 Mustang GT ET: 13.304@102.29 mph (5-24-03) Sold - 1998 Mustang Cobra coupe, 1/4 mile - street tires: 13.843@103.41 (bone stock)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Oil Pressure Very low on new setup!!!	Z28EATR	Windsor Power	17	09-16-2003 04:03 PM
Fuel pressure question - HELP!	Stang_ROTY	Windsor Power	30	05-30-2003 08:20 AM
Oil Pressure Question	Nixon1	Windsor Power	5	05-17-2003 11:06 AM
Rising Fuel Pressure with Rising RPM?	StreetStang37	Windsor Power	1	05-21-2002 03:49 AM
fuel pressure and bad injectors???	wrathchild	Windsor Power	1	10-02-2001 06:40 AM

03-03-2004, 10:00 PM	#3
craigstang Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2	hay i went to my shop and pressure tested the block and found out that is all right. so i replaced the sending unit and this took care of the problem. thanks for the info tho