1984 Ford F150 leaking oil from oil dipstick, oil pressure low

185

Asked by comgoog3 May 05, 2014 at 10:37 AM about the 1984 Ford F-150 XLT Standard Cab SB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I recently replaced the valve cover gaskets on my truck to stop it from leaking oil (they have), I still see white smoke from behind if I go over 40mph, and it smells like burning oil. Most of the oil seems to be coming from the oil dipstick. Is that blow-by (Compression is 135-145 for all cylinders) or does the PCV system need to be replaced? Also the oil pressure drops when the engine warms up (Ex. 60psi at 45mph when cold, 25-30psi when hot)(40psi at idle when cold, 10psi when warm). Is that the oil pump? Or the camshaft bearings? The engine is a Ford 302 V8.

2 Answers

57,955

You're oil pressure is just fine. Yes, it's on the low side. Low oil pressure is generally a sign of either the wrong viscosity or worn Bearings (Cam, Crank and Mains). You may have Valve seals that are failed or gone completely. It is possible that your engine is old and tired and the Rod and Main Bearings sling so much oil that the oil control rings can't handle it all. Was your compression test results from wet and dry tests? A Cylinder Leak-Down test will determine the condition of the Rings in this case. One last thing I can think of for oil consumption is the Intake Manifold Gaskets. You can count on changing them out every 4 or so years. The heads are cast and the Manifold is Aluminum so the expand and contract at different rates when heated and cooled causing the gasket to fail over time.

2 people found this helpful.
185

The readings were the same for the wet and dry test. I have 10w30 oil in the engine (thanks to jiffy lube :P), but I want to put 20w50 in. The engine seems to run fine till it warms up over 190 Fahrenheit, then it's sluggish until it hits higher rpm's. (It also makes a squeaking/chirping noise if I floor it. It's not the belts, I've checked) It's odd. I'm not sure if this will help, but the valve lifters tap as well...

3 people found this helpful.

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