03 4.6 hi-temp/low oil light and no pressure

[LeroyJones]

So just bought a 2003 Eddie Bauer Epedition with the 4.6. Problem is starting it up the oil pressure never comes up and the hi-temp/low oil light comes on. Replaced the sensor once already and it fixes the problem for a couple days. Anyone know what's going on? Having it towed home now

 

[Hamfisted]

Do you hear any strange noise from the engine at idle ? Like a loss of oil pressure where you'd hear some clacking from the top of the motor. Make sure you run at least 10w-30 synthetic oil in it, not that 5w-20 BS Ford uses for corporate gas mileage figures. Other than that you can use a mechanical oil pressure gauge installed in the sender's location to read actual oil pressure. Did you get any maintenance records with the Expy when you bought it ? Running a 10w-30 or 10w-40 oil in it, if you still have true low oil pressure it could be anything from a failing oil pump to a completely trashed engine.

 

[LeroyJones]

There is a tapping noise before the oil pressure picks up. As soon as the oil pressure picked up it purrs like a kitten but with no pressure it sounds bad

 

[Hamfisted]

What weight oil is in it now ? Where did you get this Expy ? A used car lot? Or the original owner?

 

[RichardH]

Do you hear any strange noise from the engine at idle ? Like a loss of oil pressure where you'd hear some clacking from the top of the motor. Make sure you run at least 10w-30 synthetic oil in it, not that 5w-20 BS Ford uses for corporate gas mileage figures. Other than that you can use a mechanical oil pressure gauge installed in the sender's location to read actual oil pressure. Did you get any maintenance records with the Expy when you bought it ? Running a 10w-30 or 10w-40 oil in it, if you still have true low oil pressure it could be anything from a failing oil pump to a completely trashed engine.

Ham,

What's the delio with the 5w-20 oil? I've been running that in both expys with no problems. Never a noise from the engine and always good pressure even in stupid heat here in TX and in stop/go traffic w/AC. I normally do use the MC brand, but otherwise another brand of synthetic blend.

Ran live data on scan and temps also showed well w/in normal range.

 

[LeroyJones]

OK so I changed the sensor and checked the oil. Well the oil pressure picked up before the engine was even on. It rattled for about 20 seconds and then went right back to smooth running. Could the last sensor I put in have been a dud?

Do you hear any strange noise from the engine at idle ? Like a loss of oil pressure where you'd hear some clacking from the top of the motor. Make sure you run at least 10w-30 synthetic oil in it, not that 5w-20 BS Ford uses for corporate gas mileage figures. Other than that you can use a mechanical oil pressure gauge installed in the sender's location to read actual oil pressure. Did you get any maintenance records with the Expy when you bought it ? Running a 10w-30 or 10w-40 oil in it, if you still have true low oil pressure it could be anything from a failing oil pump to a completely trashed engine.

 

[LeroyJones]

[I bought it used from a private seller. Im going to assume they have what the manufacturer specified but i dont know for sure. QUOTE="Hamfisted, post: 393295, member: 43990"]What weight oil is in it now ? Where did you get this Expy ? A used car lot? Or the original owner?[/QUOTE]

 

[LeroyJones]

[I bought it used from a private seller. Im going to assume they have what the manufacturer specified but i dont know for sure. QUOTE="Hamfisted, post: 393295, member: 43990"]What weight oil is in it now ? Where did you get this Expy ? A used car lot? Or the original owner?[/QUOTE]

 

[mbtech2003]

Check the timing chain tensioners. The seals blow out and cause loss of oil pressure. I did them in both my 05 expo. And my 2010. Problem being if it ran too long with low oil pressure it damages the cam bearings. If you do them. A full timing setup and guides. And high volume oil pump. Should be done.

 

[rjdelp7]

I drove a E450 work vehicle(230K), that had broken chain guides and rattled. I assume the broken plastic was in the oil pan and oil pickup. The light would come on time to time, even though it was full. Hard left turns it would lose pressure. It lasted over 10K mi before it was junked.