[HELP} 20w50 oil. Oil light flickers. Fine at idle but sometimes flickers when driving.

[MadMax_636]

So, I changed my oil to a 20w50 oil (Im kinda regretting it now) because Id burn 1qt every 2 1/2 weeks or Id leak it from a small slow leak in the oil filter (For some reason its always leaked from there) and after I put the 20w50 into my engine the oil light started flickering. Never staying on solid but a quick flicker when driving and when its all warmed up. Did do this when driving this morning and it was pretty cool out but warmed up quickly.

Oil level is fine and in the safe mark and the engine runs fine for its age. I dont get any smoke out the tail pipe or anything of that sort.
Im just worried that I might have ruined my oil pump and pick up. Since getting the oil pan on these engines are a bitch and a half. Id rather not have to deal with to do that or resorting to selling my truck for not having enough funds to swap or fix the engine.
I will go back to 10w40 as I was using that before and it ran fine. I just wanted to get a heavier oil to help with the age of the motor and getting better oil pressure.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I would start by installing a mechanical gauge on the engine to see what the oil pressure actually is.

 

[MadMax_636]

I would start by installing a mechanical gauge on the engine to see what the oil pressure actually is.

ok, So what could be causing the light to flicker? Oil gauge could be bad and then its nothing to worry about? or could there really be an issue with my oil pressure? Since the gauges (Most of them dont work and then I learned that the oil one does. I thought it had a needle) are original to the truck/engine. The pressure sender is original.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Low oil pressure will turn the light on. It could also be a bad sender... turning on the light when it shouldn't.

The only way you will know whats going on is to put a gauge on the system.

 

[MadMax_636]

Low oil pressure will turn the light on. It could also be a bad sender... turning on the light when it shouldn't.

The only way you will know whats going on is to put a gauge on the system.

How would I go along with doing that? Just get a basic gauge like from Amazon and wire it up to the sending unit? Since I know theres are 2 different kinds.

 

[Uncle Gump]

No...

Use a mechanical gauge that taps right into the port that your sender for the light screws into. Then a line will connect to the gauge. A cheap oil pressure gauge from the parts store will work.

 

[MadMax_636]

No...

Use a mechanical gauge that taps right into the port that your sender for the light screws into. Then a line will connect to the gauge. A cheap oil pressure gauge from the parts store will work.

ok, Ill try and get one tomorrow as Im running on 3-4 hours of sleep atm.
I need sleep before I can function right haha.

Also, would this one work fine? https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/bosch-gauges-style-line-2-mechanical-oil-pressure-gauge-black-face-fst-8216/10717230-P?searchTerm=oil+pressure+gauge Its a Bosche 2"

Once I get it all connected what is the range I should be looking for? Like whats optimal and whats to low?

 

[Ranger850]

Dumb question: Did the 20w50 help at all with the original leak at the filter and the oil burning issues?

 

[MadMax_636]

Dumb question: Did the 20w50 help at all with the original leak at the filter and the oil burning issues?

It did help with the oil burning. The oil filter leak no. I don't know if Im not tightening it 100% or what but it seems to leak VERY VERY slowly from around it.

 

[Uncle Gump]

That gauge should do fine. If you are going to mount it in the cab and use it... upgrade the nylon tubing to copper line. The nylon tube is questionable... IMHO.

 

[Uncle Gump]

It did help with the oil burning. The oil filter leak no. I don't know if Im not tightening it 100% or what but it seems to leak VERY VERY slowly from around it.

You sure it's the filter and not just a valve cover gasket leaking and running down?

 

[MadMax_636]

That gauge should do fine. If you are going to mount it in the cab and use it... upgrade the nylon tubing to copper line. The nylon tube is questionable... IMHO.

ok, From what you could think the issue is/could possibly be. What could cause the gauge light to filter?

 

[MadMax_636]

You sure it's the filter and not just a valve cover gasket leaking and running down?

Yeah, Ive got a small oil leak coming from the passenger side valve cover but only when its stopped. I recently replacement. I need to change them again and do a better job a RTV and get better gaskets. I got what I could get at the time of changing them since They were leaking so much oil onto the exhaust I didn't truck driving the damn thing.

 

[Uncle Gump]

ok, From what you could think the issue is/could possibly be. What could cause the gauge light to filter?

Low oil pressure

Faulty oil pressure switch

intermittent short to ground on the oil lamp circuit

 

[MadMax_636]

Low oil pressure

Faulty oil pressure switch

intermittent short to ground on the oil lamp circuit

ok, What would the possible cause if the pressure is fine?

Im only asking because it could be something easy and just a faulty unit since its a 1984 ranger.