[filmman03]

Noticed last night and it has continued today.

The stock oil gauge on my 92 2.3L is going crazy. At idle it is in the normal range, but when I accelerate the needle goes completely down, past the red line (barely noticeable). Car is running fine, idles fine, and yes checked dipstick, added oil and it is in the cross-hatched portion. Also, there is no leaks from the oil filter or oil pan nut.

What the heck is going on?!? My job requires me to drive all over the place (>100miles sometimes) so any help would be much appreciated.

Also, not entirely sure if this is related to the above issue, but at times, when punching the mustang I get white smoke out of the exhaust. Is this steam or something else?

[b_chandler]

Two things, you'll need to pick up a cheapy mechanical pressure gauge to verify the phenomenon is actually happening and not some sort of electrical gremlin.

The other is bad news. The oil pump pickup may be getting clogged. It's a fairly common problem. The o-ring that seals the oil pan from the factory tends to deteriorate and crumble into the pan. The oil pump pickup sucks this up and it the bigger chunks get sucked into the screen. At idle, there's enough flow through the pickup to provide oil pressure. As RPMs go up and the pump tries to provide more oil, it can't get it through the clogged pickup.

It sounds far-fetched but I've seen it first hand in my car (actually spun a bearing and ruined a rod and the crank) That's how I got it for free.

[filmman03]

Any possibility that it is the oil pressure switch?

[TOM RENZO]

Originally Posted by filmman03

Any possibility that it is the oil pressure switch?

I have found many sending units do that . Its not uncommon. Years ago the old style valve seals used to detoriate and get caught in the oil pickup, That problem has been corrected years ago. I have not seen it in years. The pickup can be clogged with sludge and cause this problem but i dought it. My guess is the oil sender.

[filmman03]

Alright, I'll see if I can replace it tomorrow. Now is the switch/sender located near the oil filter?

[TOM RENZO]

On the 2.3 its in the back of the head on the drivers side

[b1lk1]

I would never in a million years trust a factory electric guage on any vehicle produced over a mechanical gauge. For the same price as the sender you can pick up a decent mechanical guage that will give actual verifiable results that you can trust.

[TOM RENZO]

Originally Posted by b1lk1

I would never in a million years trust a factory electric guage on any vehicle produced over a mechanical gauge. For the same price as the sender you can pick up a decent mechanical guage that will give actual verifiable results that you can trust.

Either way it does not matter. If the stock gauge is repaired with the new sender It makes no difference what the gauge reads. We never ever use a mechanical gauge in the cab of any car or truck for that matter. Always use an electric gauge. If the new sender does the same thing then he has a problem. What I do in the shop is test the engine with my snap on 1% accurate gauge and then see what is going on with the factory gauge. I never run just a preasure gauge in any of my cars. I run a light and a warning buzzer. Gauges are useless. Gauges are only good to take actual preasure readings. Not to warn you while driving that you lost preasure.

[b1lk1]

Originally Posted by TOM RENZO

Either way it does not matter. If the stock gauge is repaired with the new sender It makes no difference what the gauge reads. We never ever use a mechanical gauge in the cab of any car or truck for that matter. Always use an electric gauge. If the new sender does the same thing then he has a problem. What I do in the shop is test the engine with my snap on 1% accurate gauge and then see what is going on with the factory gauge. I never run just a preasure gauge in any of my cars. I run a light and a warning buzzer. Gauges are useless. Gauges are only good to take actual preasure readings. Not to warn you while driving that you lost preasure.

?????????

Normally, your posts are spot on. THis one has my head shaking. You seriously trust an electrical gauge over a mechanical gauge? You not only get a far more accurate reading with a mechanical unit, you will see minor fluctuations better as it will respond far faster and even far more accurate than any electrical gauge on the planet. I would never trust the electrical sending units no matter what scanner is reading it over a good quality mechanical gauge. To each their own, but you are way off base on this one.

[TOM RENZO]

Tell you what. First of all i did not post the reason for it because i wanted your reaction. The reason is not because it's more accurate it definately is. The reason is if the oil line breaks or is seperated from the gauge the hot oil will spray into the cab of the car or truck. Hot oil pumping in your face or on your legs at over 200* is not fun. Thats why you run an electric gauge. No oil lines in the cab. Its always better to run a light and a buzzer it gets your attention immeadiately. If you relie on a gauge you may run to long without oil. DEEN their done it. By the way its also illegal to have oil lines in the CAB.

[filmman03]

Originally Posted by b1lk1

I would never in a million years trust a factory electric guage on any vehicle produced over a mechanical gauge. For the same price as the sender you can pick up a decent mechanical guage that will give actual verifiable results that you can trust.

So you are saying; rather than get the sender unit; just grab a mechanical gauge for the same price?

With that being said; it seems that you are stating that my electrical gauge is messed up and NOT the sender unit, is that correct?

[SM90Stanger]

Originally Posted by TOM RENZO

The pickup can be clogged with sludge and cause this problem but i dought it.

Sorry for the grammar correction Tommy, but I have seen it a few times and it's gotten to this point where I have to say something.

It's doubt, not dought. I'm not sure if that's a word, I know dough is... mmmmm cookie dough!

Keep it up though, your posts have been very good so far

[TOM RENZO]

Originally Posted by SM90Stanger

Sorry for the grammar correction Tommy, but I have seen it a few times and it's gotten to this point where I have to say something.

It's doubt, not dought. I'm not sure if that's a word, I know dough is... mmmmm cookie dough!

Keep it up though, your posts have been very good so far

I am dixlectic sometimes i get confused and spell wrong. The nuns when i went to school used to beat my brains in for that they thought i was a wise guy. I am very shy and my girls bought me this computor to help me with my spelling. I am very sorry i cant help it sometimes.

[filmman03]

I can't seem to find the damn sending unit at all; looking all over by the oil filter and everything. sigh...

[TOM RENZO]

Its on the back of the head right below the valve cover. It looks like a little rocket ship. Go to the auto parts store and buy a new one and that way you can see what it looks like. Then find it on the engine.