Jeep 4.0 litre oil pressure

Aug 27, 2005 8 Replies

My 1997 Cherokee 4l (with 54k on the clock) started to have lower oil pressure when hot. Always greater than 3 bar when cold, but can drop to 1 bar when hot. Oil was clean and less than 4k old but I changed the oil and filter (or the local garage did), but with no change. Still low when hot, and often doesn't quite get to 3 bars at cruising speed when hot either. I don't know the oil used, but it was Castrol, and probably a 10W40. I would normally blame thinning or old oil, but this is unlikely to be the case. I'm a careful driver, never over revving when cold, and treating it reasonably gently, especially when towing.



Is the failing pressure sender fault as often posted here likely to be a problem, or is there another likely other source?



Car has full service history and one previous owner who I've spoken to. He reports that he always had it serviced regularly whether the mileage was due a service or not, hence the book is stamped to 78k with only 53k when I bought it.


The pressure sender certainly can be removed and tested by a cal fixture, which is not something automotive shops have, though it's easily built. You need an air source, a valve and a gauge-your air conditioning manifold gauge set will work OK. Just need the fitting.

If the pressure sender is ok, you probably have an oil pump or pressure relief issue.

Could be your oil filter. Fram filters are reported to cause this problem. Purolater filters are supposed to be good.

JoBo

Thanks, I'll check the filter. If I get a genuine filter can I change it with the oil int he vehicle still...Only had new oil a couple of weeks ago...

Thanks. I'd probably just test by substitution - I don't imagine a sender to be expensive.

Stateside no, but over there it might well be.

I guess it depends on your definition of expensive. It ran me $65 for one in Washington DC (ugh). Seemed like a lot for a damn pressure sensor. Of course compared to a Neutral Safety Switch ($400) it does seem downright cheap (double ugh).

And before people barrage me... No I didn't spend $400 on a new NSS, I disassembled mine and rebuilt it for about $3.00 and it's worked fine since.

Drifter "I've been here, I've been there..."

I just rewired the harness, since I'm the only one who drives the XJ, I'm not worried about it right now, one of these days I will get to around to fixing it.

Snow

You Sure can, since it sits above the oil pan. " can I change : it with the oil int he vehicle still...Only had new oil a couple of : weeks ago... : : : -- : Regards, : Danny : :

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