StangRalle

HELP:

I've had it now 3 time in the past 5 months that out of the blue my board computer is coming up with a beep message: Low Oil Pressure.

I checked the oil, its enough in the motor.

Anyone an idea what this could be?

Does anyone also have or had this problem?

Thanks for your help.

metroplex

I dont have my FSM in front of me, but it sounds like it could be a bad oil pressure sender. What does the idiot gauge show? Does it take awhile for it to get up to the normal pressure mark? It makes me glad I didn't get the IUP (no trip computer and 2 less idiot gauges)

StangRalle

Thats the funny thing. The pressure gauge seems okay. Its this written message of the computer which suddenly pops up and 'warns' you about 'LOW OIL PRESSURE'.

Don't know if this is some sort of bug?

AirGoNomyk

Would using the wrong oil viscosity cause that?

tom281

Have it looked at. I've read that the factory gauges are just dummy gauges- for example, your voltmeter will appear to be fine as along as it's getting a set amount of voltage- it could only be getting 10 volts but still reads ok.

You just never know, and oil pressure is something that you don't want to overlook.

mvon919

This has been happening to me few times... the message comes up, if I don't start my car immediately, but turn the key all the way to "ON" position and start after a while. Normal starting, key in -> start -> vroom-vroom and the message doesn't show.

I think, if you don't start immediately, the PCM has time to initialize the sensors and will throw this stupid message after start since the oil pressure is low for second at that point...

Just my 2 cents. I don't worry about it.

I have other worries, I hear clunking noises in my head when I drive my car (The Dealer says there's no such noises, so it's in my head )

metroplex

Great... the IUP comes with your very own b*tchin' Betty.
WARNING: LOW OIL PRESSURE
WARNING: ENGINE FIRE
WARNING: RIGHT ENGINE FLAME OUT

*TAP TAP TAP*

StangRalle

Actually thats a good one! I use full synthetic oil 10W40 I think. Need to look it up.

Strange is that you cannot buy the Ford suggested US-Oil here in Switzerland nor Germany.

But could this REALLY be the reason for a low oil pressure during driving on the Motorway? This seems to be rather odd!

At least there's another one in here who has the same problems with that message...

metroplex

No one outside of the US uses 5W-20 because it was designed to reduce fuel consumption and increase CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) to reduce EPA fines.

Is it possible for this message to be related to the Variable camshaft timing solenoids? Do you have 0W-30 in Germany/Switzerland or 5W-30? I know you guys should have really excellent fully synthetic (Group IV/V basestock) engine oils. Try 5W-30 or 0W-30. 0W-30 is actually a bit thicker than 5W-30, but it should be better than 10W-40.

The Dodge Hemi Chargers will get DTC codes if thick oil (like 10W-30) is used, which can cause the MDS (multi-displacement system) to not work properly. The same thing is probably happening with the VCT solenoids.

StangRalle

Sorry I am using 5W40 Esso Ultron Oil. Just checked in the garage...

So this should be okay then, right?

StangRalle

Yes we do have them here!

metroplex

Try a synthetic 5W-30. That's what the modular engines have used until 2001 here in the US.

The Australians use 5W-30 for their 2007 Ford Falcon XR8 (5.4L 4V V8).

StangRalle

I'll have to go another 10k km and then I'm due for the oil-service. Then I'll try the 5W30. Until then I hope the message won't pop up to often especially not during winter time here in Switzerland.

I'll keep you guys posted on any further news.

Thanks so far.

Ralph

theedge67

I wouldn't wait, I would change it now. The engine was designed for 5-20, and your using 5-40...thats quite a difference. Ford has repeatedly said that these engines are very sensitive to oil viscosity due to the VCT system, and I wouldn't stray very far from the recommended oil. 5-30 is probably fine, but 5-40 is probably pushing it.