I was driving around town last night and noticed that when I let off the throttle the needle on the oil pressure guage dropped clear to just below the last line before the L . When I acclerated it came back up. I pull into my drive way put it nuetral, idling, pressure falls then after about 7 seconds it acts like its trying to come up but is sticky and slowing climbs back to the first of the four connected lines. Just alittle bit of throttle made it fall between that line and the low line then back up some when I let off. A good rev made it come up to the second line where it normally is and then it fell back off to the low line when when I let off and then did the 7 second sticky act again.

The red oil can light never came on once. Just when I first started the truck this morning its on for a second while pressure builds then it goes off like every other time.

The oil level on the stick is good so I drove it to class and it seemed fine. I reved it a little and the pressure dropped back to the first of the connected bars ans stayed there; shut it down and wrote this.

 

Low oil pressure is a bad sign. If true, it could mean bad bearings, bad oil pickup (cracked, loose, plugged), oil diluted by fuel, etc.

On the other hand, the stock gauges can be goofy at times. It is normal for the oil pressure to swing quite widely, like between 20 and 80 lbs, depending on temp, speed, etc. The stock gauge calibrated in bunches, heaps, and whole heaps is not very good at relaying the information.

I would get a mechanical oil pressure gauge on it pronto and see what is going on. I also would check for fuel in the oil, and listen closely for a deep knock. (bearing) I'd be downright paranoid till I figured it out.

 

Check the wires and connections to the sender, near the fuel filter. It is notorious for failing. My problem was in the first connector found as you trace the cable from the sender...Mark

 

X2 I've had that one give me trouble too

 

A lot of times erratic pressure readings come from a failing sender also, but when that happens they ususally show good pressure with cold oil, then it varies a lot with RPM, then eventually stays at zero.

 

I changed the oil filter and the oil looked good. The engine sounds as pert as ever and doesnt act like it has any problems even when the gauge suddenly changes.

Im going to see Jerimiah Montgomery in Pampa, TX and get some mechanical guages put on the truck. I've been shooting some vids of it so I'll upload it on u tube and put the link on here. Untill then I'm not gonna worry about it cause I think its just the sender the way its acting.