Don't trust you're oil sender!

[Stevesnj]

After watching my dash gauge read barely above the 2nd line at highway speeds and below the L line at a stop light, I borrowed a manual Snap On Oil pressure gauge. After removing the sender I put on the gauge and warmed up the engine to operating temp. Here are my results

Per FSM

Idle 4.3lbs or Higher My reading: 30lbs

3000 RPM 46-71lbs My reading: 74lbs

I use Mobil 1 0w-40 with a Mobil 1 Anti Drain Back filter

All is well so if in doubt use a manual gauge. It's piece of mind.

 

[half k cruiser]

Steve, where is the factory sender location ? Did you have any check engine light come on when you had the sender off and the snap on installed ?

 

[MikePL]

The sender is located below the exhaust headers. Actually visible only from under the truck, as it is tucked in pretty high.

 

[Stevesnj]

Steve, where is the factory sender location ? Did you have any check engine light come on when you had the sender off and the snap on installed ?

The Snap On gauge is just a diagnostic tool it's not permanent. I put the sender back on after I tested the pressure.

 

[packetstormin]

Is there not a pressure spring ( not sure about the exact name) in the front of the engine on the oil pump? I thought this pressure relief spring goes bad and needs to be replaced at times. Doesn't 70 something pounds of pressure at idle seem like a lot ?

 

[Stevesnj]

Is there not a pressure spring ( not sure about the exact name) in the front of the engine on the oil pump? I thought this pressure relief spring goes bad and needs to be replaced at times. Doesn't 70 something pounds of pressure at idle seem like a lot ?

70 would be a lot. But mine was 30lbs

 

[packetstormin]

Sorry I was thinking it was the other number. Still though is 30 pounds a lot? If the fsm said 4.3 pounds and more well what exactly is more ? I don't like how Toyota just leaves it up in the air. I wonder if the pressure relief springs are wearing out on the higher mileage trucks.

 

[Stevesnj]

Sorry I was thinking it was the other number. Still though is 30 pounds a lot? If the fsm said 4.3 pounds and more well what exactly is more ? I don't like how Toyota just leaves it up in the air. I wonder if the pressure relief springs are wearing out on the higher mileage trucks.

It's within spec so I see no issue. 4.3 seems to be the minimum.

 

[mills13b]

Does anyone make an actual pressure gauge that can be mounted in the truck. Ive heard nothing but bad things about the gauge on the dash

 

[JCruse]

Does anyone make an actual pressure gauge that can be mounted in the truck. Ive heard nothing but bad things about the gauge on the dash

Wow that's actually good news for me. My gauge only stays where the owners manual says it should be when the engine is cold. After heating up it tops out at just below the minimum "driving" area, and often less than half way up when coasting on 30 to 50 mph roads. That makes me nervous.

I didn't get an owners manual so I didn't know where the needle was supposed to be until recently. But the truck has been to the mechanic several times and he drove it at least twice so I would think he would have said something if something was terribly wrong like no oil to the head. I'm going to have a pressure test done as soon as I can bring it there.
Like I said it's good to know that this gauge is a known problem - I assume for reading low. Right?

 

[mills13b]

From what I understand, you assume correctly, mine kinda acts like yours but the gurus have all said don't worry about it as long as theres oil in it. All recommend the pressure test though if you have doubts

 

[Stevesnj]

From what I understand, you assume correctly, mine kinda acts like yours but the gurus have all said don't worry about it as long as theres oil in it. All recommend the pressure test though if you have doubts

And thats exactly why i did the test

 

[mills13b]

Any answers about actual pressure gauges for inside the truck? I don't mean the Iphone app thing either.

 

[Stevesnj]

Any answers about actual pressure gauges for inside the truck? I don't mean the Iphone app thing either.

Most are universal. Heres an example from Summit Racings site

http://www.summitracing.com/search/...alog/brand/vdo-gauges/gauge-type/oil-pressure

 

[mills13b]

Cool, thanks much. Might be a new project

 

[half k cruiser]

Any answers about actual pressure gauges for inside the truck? I don't mean the Iphone app thing either.

I have looked into this as well. The problem is finding a place to plug an aftermarket sending unit. That's why I was wondering if it threw a code when you pull the factory one. If not, you could theoretically put an aftermarket sending unit in the factory location and just leave the factory one unplugged. Thereby negating your factory gauge.

 

[mills13b]

I have looked into this as well. The problem is finding a place to plug an aftermarket sending unit. That's why I was wondering if it threw a code when you pull the factory one. If not, you could theoretically put an aftermarket sending unit in the factory location and just leave the factory one unplugged. Thereby negating your factory gauge.

I personally haven't done the pressure test, so I don't know if it throws a code or not. Im sure someone on here has done it or at least tried. Oh well something to research while I watch cars go around in circles.

 

[JCruse]

From what I understand, you assume correctly, mine kinda acts like yours but the gurus have all said don't worry about it as long as theres oil in it. All recommend the pressure test though if you have doubts

Okay then, but when I have the test done I'll post the results and we'll see what this gauge is up to. Unfortunately the Ultragauge I just installed doesn't do oil pressure.

 

[mills13b]

Good Luck

 

[CruiseOrlando]

I have looked into this as well. The problem is finding a place to plug an aftermarket sending unit. That's why I was wondering if it threw a code when you pull the factory one. If not, you could theoretically put an aftermarket sending unit in the factory location and just leave the factory one unplugged. Thereby negating your factory gauge.

You could just T it off. Put the factory one on one side of the T, then another aftermarket one on the other side.

It might take some creative engineering and all, but at least that way you could have both.