low oil pressure- tapping?

[nnmnu1]

Just recently my 85 crown vics check engine light has been coming on and there has been a loud tapping coming from the drivers side valve cover. I know that low oil pressure would turn on the light, but Im not sure why its getting low pressure. The only thing I have done recently was replace the valve cover gaskets and before that I haven't ever had this issue.

Any ideas of what would cause this would be greatly appreciated.

[Southern_Pride]

First check your oil. Make sure it has some. If it has some get a mechanical gauge and put it on it and verify it still has oil pressure.

[nnmnu1]

its oil is full, where would I put a gauge on it to test it?

[Nathan in MI]

Down by the oil filter, you'll see a round fitting about 1.5" or so in diameter with a wire coming out of it. That's the oil pressure switch that turns on the light on the dash for low oil pressure. You need to remove that and then install a mechanical gauge with the correct fittings to check the pressure. If you want to install a gauge permanently, you should get a tee fitting to thread into the block in place of the switch, and then you can have both the switch and the oil pressure line (for a mechanical gauge) or the sender (for an electrical gauge) installed simultaneously.

[nnmnu1]

ok I'll try that thanks

[87gtVIC]

Down by the oil filter, you'll see a round fitting about 1.5" or so in diameter with a wire coming out of it. That's the oil pressure switch that turns on the light on the dash for low oil pressure. You need to remove that and then install a mechanical gauge with the correct fittings to check the pressure. If you want to install a gauge permanently, you should get a tee fitting to thread into the block in place of the switch, and then you can have both the switch and the oil pressure line (for a mechanical gauge) or the sender (for an electrical gauge) installed simultaneously.

ok I'll try that thanks

the socket to remove the oil pressure idiot sensor/sender w/e if fairly large. i do believe auto part stores carry exact fit sockets for that specific sensor, it has a diff. pattern than normal sockets, but i believe you can get away with a regular one.

if you choose a mechanical gauge it will be a huuuuuuuge pain in the ass if you try to run the line without boiling it first. i know it sounds strange but it really uncoils the line and makes it a hell of alot easier to work with. good luck.

[P72Ford]

If ou use the nylon, put it inside of vacuum hose... its a great protector, and also makes it easier to handle.

[mrltd]

Sounds like the bearings are wasted, time for a new motor.

Could possibly be that the motor is gunked u pand the oil pump pickup screen is clogged, killing the oil pressure.

[91waggin]

Since you're new, I'll explain what's already ingrained in most of our heads here. The 5.0 windsor motors are notorious for losing oil pressure on tired motors. This is because the first things to go on these motors are the main bearings on the crankshaft, which causes the oil pressure to drop to right around the point that will kick the Engine light on: ~6psi. Hence, the "Engine" light is known as the "replace engine" light, since when it starts to come on at hot idle is about the time you ought to start saving for an engine rebuild.

All this being said, these engines have been known to survive for quite a long time with very little oil pressure. If you don't rev the shit out of the motor and use a thicker oil, you should be able to get 30-40k out of the motor, despite the awful knocking noises.

So, check your oil pressure, but keep driving.

[Enigma]

If you want to install a gauge permanently, you should get a tee fitting to thread into the block in place of the switch,

or get a dual pole sender like I installed on mine. One goes to the gauge, the other to the light.

the socket to remove the oil pressure idiot sensor/sender is fairly large.

if I remember correctly, I bought a 1-1/16" socket to remove the old sender.
And then the socket turns out to be the perfect size for the lug nuts on my new '89 F-250HD.
(it bums me out getting sockets for one use only)