1997 Ford Explorer OIL GUAGE HAND/ OIL SENDING UNIT

Tiny
CHASE14ME
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
THE OIL GUAGE HAND WAS MOVING UP AND DOWN SLIGHTLY AFTER IT GOT HOT. THEN ONE DAY THE HAND BOUNCED ALL OVER FROM NOTHING TO THE TOP OF THE SCALE PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND OIL LEAKED ALL OVER LOOKED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE OIL SENDING UNIT. I REPLACED THE OIL SENDING UNIT NO LEAKS DROVE IT FOR A WHILE GOT HOT AND THE HAND STARTED BOUNCING AGAIN. WOULD JUST QUIVER WHILE UNDER TORQUE BUT WOULD BOUNCE WILDLY ONCE I STOP. REPLCED THE OIL SENDING UNIT AGAIN TOOK IT OUT DROVE 40 OR SO MILES GOT IT HOT AND THE GAUGE NEEDLE STARTED QUIVERING AGAIN AND BOUNCING ALL OVER WHEN I CAME TO A STOP OR SLOWED DOWN. WHAT WOULD CAUSE THIS AND HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS A OIL PUMP OR A BAD GAUGE? I WENT BACK OUT THE NEXT DAY AFTER I REPLACED THE FIRST SENDING UNIT AND IT STARTED BOUNCING ALL OVER, STARTED THE CAR AND IT NEVER MOVED BUT WHEN IT GETS HOT IT MOVES ALL OVER.
Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 AT 4:21 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
The most accurate to find out what isn't tell in you the truth about your oil pressure is to screw a "T" fitting in place of the OP sender. Screw the sender into one side of the T, and an actual analog oil pressure gauge into the other side. The analog gauge can be on an extension hose or whatever. Run the truck until the dash gauge starts to jump and check it against the analog. If they both do the jumping thing, that's a whole 'nother chapter. Let us know what you find.
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 AT 5:10 PM
Tiny
CHASE14ME
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What are some of the possible causes for this?
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 AT 6:59 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
Well, if we're sure it's not something the gauge system itself, It could a weak oil pump, sticking OP pressure relief valve plugged oil pickup screen, or worn engine bearings. All of which, with 155K on the motor, I would find extreemly hsrd to believe unless you hadn't changed the oil since the day you drove it off the lot. The actual oil gauge test will tell the story.
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 AT 8:25 PM

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