Oil pressure

1997 FORD TAURUS
189,000 MILES • 3.0L • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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ROBERT MILBURN
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  • 1 POST
The oil pressure light is on. My oil level is fine when the car is off but when running it shows a dry dipstick. I have had an oil change about 3,500 miles ago. I know there is plenty of pressure due to the fact that when I try to pull the oil cap off while it is running there is a vacuum and it is hard to pull the cap off. I can also hear the lifter arms ticking too. I have checked all the bleeder air valves and they are all good. I do not know what to do next to fix this.
Jun 28, 2017 at 11:18 PM
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HMAC300
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 48,601 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
first thing, you never check oil while running. always stopped and let engine sit for a few minutes. put a manual gauge on one of the oil pressure ports and see what you have it may be a bad gauge and sending unit. oil lights go on when there is below 4-7 psi and it can be from a bad pump or engine bearings too wide of a clearance.
Jun 29, 2017 at 6:05 AM
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