“Low Oil Pressure” In Message Center

[Deercampcrusader]

I’m experiencing intermittently the message center displaying “Low Oil Preassure” and the actual gauge needle being at L after the truck has been started. The check engine light will also come on. Most of the time this does not happen and the oil level is actually fine. I don’t notice any ticking or anything sounding out of the ordinary. Could this just a a sensor issue?

Thanks

 

[stamp11127]

Welcome to the site.

Could be, but the safest action would be to see what the true oil pressure is with a mechanical oil pressure gauge and go from there.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Are you sure you have the correct viscosity oil and a high-quality oil filter (such as OEM Ford Motorcraft) installed?

Cheap, aftermarket oil filters can cause oil starvation at start-up.

 

[1955moose]

Easy enough to swap in a motorcraft filter. And like C5 coupe stated keep the viscosity no more than 5w30. You didn't give year, engine size? What is it please?

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[Bain64]

You didn't give year, engine size? What is it please?

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

I dug into his profile, it says 2004 so we're looking at a 2-valve. But that's only part of your question..

 

[Bain64]

I’m experiencing intermittently the message center displaying “Low Oil Preassure” and the actual gauge needle being at L after the truck has been started. The check engine light will also come on. Most of the time this does not happen and the oil level is actually fine. I don’t notice any ticking or anything sounding out of the ordinary. Could this just a a sensor issue?

Thanks

Please describe oil level 'actually fine'. Do you check with engine on or off, hot or cold, and where on the dipstick does oil level fall? Does it burn and/or leak oil otherwise?

 

[BRIANGEE]

I think some of the 04's were 4 valve. Just as some of the 03's were..at least thats what my manual states. Always running into the 4 valve section on accident

 

[JExpedition07]

I think some of the 04's were 4 valve. Just as some of the 03's were..at least thats what my manual states. Always running into the 4 valve section on accident

It’s likely a 2 Valve, 3 valves weren’t used until the 2005 MY in the expy. Being an 04’ it could be a 4.6L as well...

 

[BRIANGEE]

Oh well, that's good to know. I thought it was luck of the draw on the 2003 and 2004 whether you got a 2v or 4v and I figured I was a lucky one! Wonder why it's in the manual - is it a navigator thing?

 

[JExpedition07]

Oh well, that's good to know. I thought it was luck of the draw on the 2003 and 2004 whether you got a 2v or 4v and I figured I was a lucky one! Wonder why it's in the manual - is it a navigator thing?

Yes sir, the 4 valve was available in the Navigator until the 3 valve replaced both the 2&4 valve engines.

 

[Deercampcrusader]

Hi All,

First off. - Thanks for all the responses I'm not use to such an active forum community so thanks.

Sorry I didn't list vehicle info. I though that was automatically displayed.

2004 Expedition
5.4 Triton V8
123,000 Miles
Motorcraft Oil Filter - 5w-30 (As recommended by FordTechMakuloco)
Only Motorcraft parts used...

I check and do the oil changes myself every 3k on the dot. It's been about 2k since last oil change, and now it's been two days no check engine light, not drop in oil pressure (at least as told by the feel good gauge on the dash)

 

[Deercampcrusader]

Please describe oil level 'actually fine'. Do you check with engine on or off, hot or cold, and where on the dipstick does oil level fall? Does it burn and/or leak oil otherwise?

Oil Falls about 1/4 of the way down on the dipstick when engine is cold. Does not seem to burn any oil, and I'm not noticing anything on the ground.

 

[1955moose]

Brian only the 2004 F150, and Lincoln Navigator had a three valve variable timing motor. First year for Expedition 3 valve was 2005. The Navigator was the only Ford vehicle that used a 4 valve VTech motor. It switched over early in 2003 with the 3 valve Ford engine. At least that's what I read.

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[Flexpedition]

The oil pressure sender switch is located low on the front of the engine, drivers side, near the power steering pump. Might be easiest from underneath where you'll find it above and to the drivers side of the oil filter.

Ford part number is SW7676 and should set you back all of $5.

 

[Deercampcrusader]

The oil pressure sender switch is located low on the front of the engine, drivers side, near the power steering pump. Might be easiest from underneath where you'll find it above and to the drivers side of the oil filter.

Ford part number is SW7676 and should set you back all of $5.

Awesome, thanks. I will definitely change that out then. Doesn't hurt.

 

[JediKnight2]

Be careful...could be broken pieces of plastic guides blocking the oil pump tube intermittently

 

[1955moose]

That's kinda what I was thinking. The guides deteriate with time, and get caught on the pickup screen for oil pump. Sadly you've got to pull pan to know. When you replace that $5.00 sending unit, screw a temporary gauge to see what you got for pressure. Too bad their isn't a way to get a flexible vacuum tip in the pan to suck out that debris.

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[lbv150]

My '04 has the 2V 5.4 with 175,000 miles on it and still running the factory recommended 5-20 oil. Changed religiously at 3K with Motorcraft filter. The 5.4 engines only like the recommended oil viscosity anything heavier and you are asking for valve train issues, this is especially true with the 3V as oil pressure controls the variable cam valve timing and the oil passages and screens are tiny. Also the 5.4 eats a little oil, you will not see it burning or dripping but keep an eye on the oil level between changes, it's normal to add some.

 

[Cindy Zaka]

my says in the run postion only gaugre in the middle