Thread: I Suppose it Had to Come to This...

Originally Posted by Tins

Yes, but usually catastrophically, spun bearings etc. Of course, oil pressures have not been documented, so who knows? I would still want to investigate other reasons, such as release valves. Inspection of the oil filter is a must.

Lots of engines have done double that figure with no issues. But it’s easy to comment without seeing.

Mine did 311k kms, and the oil pressure was checked and well within spec about 2 weeks before it went. The only possible sign of a warning was a slight groan from the engine when cold the day before, but once warmed up it sounded completely normal. The next day, my wife left home and 15 minutes later, oil pressure light came on hard with lack of engine power, she pulled over letting it idle for 5 mins, which it did with no bad noises. After she turned it off, the slag that was once bearings welded to the crank and it didn't turn over again.

I was in the process of fitting a permanent oil pressure gauge, which is why I had checked it 2 weeks prior, but not had the time to make it a permanent installation.

Originally Posted by Grentarc

Mine did 311k kms, and the oil pressure was checked and well within spec about 2 weeks before it went. The only possible sign of a warning was a slight groan from the engine when cold the day before, but once warmed up it sounded completely normal. The next day, my wife left home and 15 minutes later, oil pressure light came on hard with lack of engine power, she pulled over letting it idle for 5 mins, which it did with no bad noises. After she turned it off, the slag that was once bearings welded to the crank and it didn't turn over again.

I was in the process of fitting a permanent oil pressure gauge, which is why I had checked it 2 weeks prior, but not had the time to make it a permanent installation.

“Oil gauge”
And even if you had, it would have still lunched itself with nothing you could do about it.

Originally Posted by Tins

Lots of engines have done double that figure with no issues. But it’s easy to comment without seeing.

At 377k, but I had new bearings at 240k, so maybe not something to brag about. Thrust measure was way out of balance hence the recommendation to do the bearings, $10k later (plus heaps of other maintenance items). Labour adds up that’s for sure.

Make sure that the oil filter spigot is in its hole in the housing because if not then oil will go out the open hole.

Originally Posted by Graeme

Make sure that the oil filter spigot is in its hole in the housing because if not then oil will go out the open hole.

2013 D4. Not an issue.

Sorry, had a D3 in mind. However a similar issue when the drain valve plug in the bottom of the filter housing is partly or totally missing or the spring is out of place. It's an issue for later 2.7 and all 3.0 TDV6, SDV6 and 4.4 TDV8/SDV8 engines.

Did the low oil pressure start after a filter change?

ML3Z-6A606-A is the plug's Ford part number but I don't know if it's available from Ford dealers in Australia.

Originally Posted by Graeme

Did the low oil pressure start after a filter change?

Yes, it did as a matter of fact. At first I thought I may have over or under filled it, but I hadn't.

Originally Posted by DieselLSE

Yes, it did as a matter of fact. At first I thought I may have over or under filled it, but I hadn't.

Change the filter again would be my suggestion, what brand filter did you use?