losing oil pressure

series1 · 06-01-2008, 07:14 PM

ok, AU series 1 with a VCT 6 cyl, it is a problem that has seemed to get worse the more i drive it. now it definately has to be fixed.

oil pressure seems to be good while i am driving but once the car is warm and is on idle (eg-sitting at the lights) the oil pressure drops to a dangerous low where the warning buzzer and light come on-give it a few revs (gently) and the oil pressure comes back up to a safe level.

QUESTION, what the hell is wrong with my engine? it doesnt apperar to be making any abnormal noises-just the standard 190,000km noises.

really i need to know if it is a DIY job or do i need to book it in?

BOON250 · 06-01-2008, 08:08 PM

Perhaps you need to plug in aux oil gauge and see what the actual oil p is. What weight oil are you running?

series1 · 06-01-2008, 11:45 PM

i have tried heavy and normal weight oils according to advice from "professionals" but i still have the same problem with all of them.

i was really hoping that there was a common problem!

**GasoLane** · 07-01-2008, 10:47 AM

You may need to get it checked with an external guage, or it could be the sender unit.

If it's neither of these it's possibly the oil pump, which unfortunately means big $$$.

But I'd be getting a mechanic to check it with an external guage first.

TE50 027 · 07-01-2008, 05:02 PM

As has already been said, get the oil pressure checked to make sure it's ok, if it's fine try replacing the sender unit. If it continues to play up, speak to Ford as the series 1 had a problem with an earth wire or something which causes the gauge to drop to zero like you said. Had the same problem with mine.

series1 · 07-01-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

As has already been said, get the oil pressure checked to make sure it's ok, if it's fine try replacing the sender unit. If it continues to play up, speak to Ford as the series 1 had a problem with an earth wire or something which causes the gauge to drop to zero like you said. Had the same problem with mine.

just out of curiousity was your gage just dropping off or was it slowing dropping as if it was losing pressure?

TE50 027 · 08-01-2008, 10:17 AM

Would sit at just over half, then whenever I slowed right down or stopped the gauge dropped to zero and the light came on and the alarm went off. Eventually got worse and would do this 2 or 3 times a minute even when cruising down the highway. I had the pressure tested and was fine, so replaced the sender unit which worked for a day or two then started doing it again. Heard about the earth fault so took it to Ford who said there's a technical service bulletin (TSB) for the series 1 which covers this fault. Took half an hour to fix.

F6 R-Spec · 08-01-2008, 04:39 PM

series1 , is your engine noisy? lifters? bottom end knocking.
Or is it quiet and smoth?

As others have said get oil pressure cheked by external oil gauge the only way to be 100% sure.

What im getting to is if the engine is noisy you do have an oil pressure problem but if it is not as TE50 027 has sugested it is most probably a gauge problem. cheers mick

Papa Smurf · 08-01-2008, 05:01 PM

You could check the Oil filter as well, you using Genuine or some CHEAPIE filter?

I hope for you it IS something simple.

series1 · 08-01-2008, 08:48 PM

engine noise seems to be ok, maybe a little tappy, i really only notice the tapping noise when i am going up the freeway with the concrete wall next too me for example. under normal driving conditions it appears to be making the same noises as every other xr6.

i really appreciate all of your help, you all have given me some work to do.....cheers

Cobravan · 11-01-2008, 01:55 PM

Can anyone elaborate on this oil pressure gauge earth fix.

My S1 xr8 is also doing the oil pressure gauge drop usually when hot at idle, and is a little concerning at times I must say.. But as there are no noises I guess it's ok.

Is it an easy fix, where does this earth need attention??

liontamer2 · 12-01-2008, 11:07 AM

Wifes AU 5 ltr. does the same thing no oil pressure at idle put new sender unit in fixed the problem for a few weeks now doing the same thing only 160000 klm. sounds sweet.

TE50 027 · 12-01-2008, 12:45 PM

I spoke to my Ford service department about the problem I had and explained that I had replaced the sender unit which fixed the problem for a couple of days then it returned and continued to get worse. Ford said there's a technical service bulletin (TSB) regarding the S1 gauge (only S1 as they read the pressure while S2/3 will always read 3/4 unless the oil pressure drops significantly, then reads zero). It says that there is an earth wire that needs to be replaced/installed and takes .5hr to fix. In the end cost me $55 for the labour and the 20c wire was free, thanks for the savings Ford! I haven't had a problem with mine since it was done.

ltd2000v8 · 13-01-2008, 10:13 PM

My 5 ltr S1 LTD has started doing the same thing but only when idling on really hot days. Interestingly I found if I switched off and restarted the oil pressure showed normal on re-start.
Made me think it is a gauge fault rather than low pressure.