1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Low Oil Pressure

1996 JEEP CHEROKEE
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WWM966
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  • 1 POST
I live in Asheville, NC. It get decently cold here. I bought the car from a guy in Atlanta, GA about a month ago. In the last couple of days the engine oil pressure has been going from 60 to 20. Also the engine has 155000 miles on it. What might be wrong with it if anything and what should I ask tell a mechanic if I want to get it fixed?
Dec 26, 2006 at 1:46 PM
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KJMAHNKE
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My advice to you would be to run an oil system cleaner through the engine for about 500 miles. this should clear out some of the sludge in the engine. Change the oil again after 500 miles and put some lighter weight oil in it as the cold weather can thicken some heavier weight oils. If the oil pressure still does not balance i would advise to take to a mechanic and get the oil pump checked as the screen may be clogged and oil may not be making it up into the heads. If the oil pump is ok then you may be faced with more serious issues as oil passage ways up through the engine and through the heads may be clogged. If these clogs are permantent there is not a whole lot you can do short of pulling the heads and getting them cleaned and machined. Oil sludge treatment would be the first and cheapest alternative. Hope this helps.
Dec 28, 2006 at 7:02 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
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:shock: With all due respect to kjmahnke's opinion, I would stay away from a engine cleaning as suggested. More often, if the pump isn't plugged, this will do it. IMHO, I would have the true oil pressure checked, the gauge or the sending unit may not be right. Either way, find the source of the trouble before prescribed treatment or medication :wink:
Dec 28, 2006 at 10:08 PM
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Suggested Repair

Verify true oil pressure with a mechanical gauge before any treatment. The dash gauge or sending unit may be inaccurate. Avoid an engine oil flush, which can dislodge sludge and clog the oil pump. If pressure is truly low, then have the oil pump and pickup screen inspected.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 155,000 miles reports oil pressure fluctuating between about 60 and 20 psi in cold weather. A forum user suggested an oil-system cleaner, lighter oil, and possible oil-pump or passage clogs. The expert advised against an engine flush because it can plug the pump, and recommended confirming actual oil pressure first because the gauge or sending unit may be faulty.

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