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  • #1

    Low Oil Pressure Problem

    I have an '89 Festiva L. It is 4spd stick and carbureted. It now has 141,000 miles. It runs great but recently the oil pressure light would flicker for a short period of time. Oil was full so I put a new sender on it. It seemed fine for 2 days then the light flickered, then came on and stayed on. I revved it up at a traffic light & the oil light went out. It flickered the next day so I put 20W-50 oil & STP in it. It was fine for 3 days but now the oil light flickers once in awhile. I assume the problem is worn bearings.

    I have heard of these cars going 250,000 miles. I bought mine in 1990 with 42,000 miles on it & oil has been changed every 3000 miles.

    We have a '93 GL with 131,000 miles & no problems with that.

    Has anyone else had any bearing problems with their cars?
    Red '93 GL Auto & A/C
    Silver '89 L 4spd stick, A/C
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Just completed a complete rebuild of my '92L. Bearings where pristine. Rings could have been better. Of more interest. the oil pump was perfect. opened it up and found mirror finishes and the gaps measured on the low end of the tolerance.

    Bad bearings could be the cause but not likely. If they are wore enough to cause enough of a pressure dop to cuase the indicator to come on, alot of other performance problem would be evident, alot of noise on cold starts.

    Two things I would recommend:

    1ST: Validate the integrity of the oil pressure sender circuit. I you can park the car while engine is running and the light is misbehaving, remove the electrical connector and connect a continuity meter or some type of similar circuit and verify that it is the switch causing the light to come on and not a wiring problem. And/or repalce the sender with a pressure gauge and monitor the pressure.

    2ND: and not so fun is go after the oil pump. Before tearing the pump out (not that har to do or get to) is remove the oil pan and evaluate the oil pump pressure relief. When laying onder the car, the pressure relief is located in the oil pump casting near the front of the engine. It is retained by a cooter pin that must be remove. Above the cotterpin is a small washer, then a spring, then the seat. Excess oil from the pump (hi pressure) pushes the seat open (held closed by the spring force) and dumps the oil back into the pump suction. Things to check for: all of the components are their, the spring is not broken, the seat is not scored, no sludge bulid up, and the surface in the oil pump that the seat contacts is not damaged or dirty. If any of the previous is problem i think you have to purchase a new oil pump. I'm not sure if individual components are available. If you change the pump, be sure to change the front main seal.

    Replacing the oil pan gasket is by far the most diificult task i have ever undertaken on my festiva. Not that it is difficult but leak free is something else. If you have to, please post, and i can provide details.
    Joe Lutz

    The SKATE ..... 1992L 5spd
    The Greatest Purchase I Ever Made

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    • #3
      even easier; buy a cheap mechanical oil pressure gauge, tee it in with the sending unit, and when the oil lamp comes on, check the actual pressure by looking at the gauge.
      Jim DeAngelis

      kittens give Morbo gas!!



      Bright Blue 93 GL (1.6 8v, 5spd) (Hula-Baloo)
      Performance Red 94 Aspire SE (Stimpson)

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      • #4
        Thanks guys. I will let you know what I find.
        Red '93 GL Auto & A/C
        Silver '89 L 4spd stick, A/C

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        • #5
          Believe it or not I was removing the new oil pressure sender so I could install a T and hook up a gauge when the top of the sender came off with the electrical plug. I sprayed carb cleaner in the old sender & put it back in. I have been driving the car for 3 weeks now & the light is not coming on. Problem solved!
          Red '93 GL Auto & A/C
          Silver '89 L 4spd stick, A/C

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          • #6
            Thats great!
            Brian
            http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2274977



            93 GL modyfied!!!
            :fish:

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            • #7
              HAZZAA!!
              Jim DeAngelis

              kittens give Morbo gas!!



              Bright Blue 93 GL (1.6 8v, 5spd) (Hula-Baloo)
              Performance Red 94 Aspire SE (Stimpson)

              Comment

              • #8
                usually something like that.....
                Contact me for information about Festiva Madness!
                Remember, FestYboy is inflatable , and Scitzz means crazy, YO!
                "Like I'm going to suggest we do the job right." ~Fecomatter May 28 2016.

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                • #9
                  I went to replace an alternator today, it was making lots of noise, vibration. when I went to loosen the lower bolt it was hanging half out. My Bad.
                  It is almost always something simple it seems with these cars, finding it is the hard part.
                  it runs so sweet
                  91 L 5spd

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by MAVRICK513
                    Believe it or not I was removing the new oil pressure sender so I could install a T and hook up a gauge when the top of the sender came off with the electrical plug. I sprayed carb cleaner in the old sender & put it back in. I have been driving the car for 3 weeks now & the light is not coming on. Problem solved!
                    It DOES come on when you turn the key to start it, doesn't it? Assuming so, great news :-)

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                    • #11
                      Does anyone know the size of the T-piece required? I've called my local Ford service and parts center but they can't/won't help.

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