low oil pressuee
I have a 90 Xj 4.0l I've been noticing that my oil pressure when the motor is warmed up for a while the pressure stays at 30 and does go up with engine speed but not much. Its a new rebuilt motor with unknown miles on it. Is there a way to boost the oil pressure and get it where its supposed to be
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The problem is not likely to be internal to the engine itself.
Rather, I'd suspect the "oil pressure sending unit" (also known as the oil pressure switch).
It is a very common failure on the 4.0 You can verify pressure if you like by installing a mechanical oil pressure gauge, but if this were mine....I'd probably just buy a new sending unit. And I'd buy it directly from Jeep for the best accuracy/reliability/mating with your factory gauge. Not much more than what an aftermarket unit costs and well worth every penny.
Good luck!
Rather, I'd suspect the "oil pressure sending unit" (also known as the oil pressure switch).
It is a very common failure on the 4.0 You can verify pressure if you like by installing a mechanical oil pressure gauge, but if this were mine....I'd probably just buy a new sending unit. And I'd buy it directly from Jeep for the best accuracy/reliability/mating with your factory gauge. Not much more than what an aftermarket unit costs and well worth every penny.
Good luck!
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 4
From: Blue Springs, MO
Year: 1993
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Laredo
It's possible your gauge just isn't real accurate. You could check it with a quality pressure gauge. You might try a new oil sender unit.
Around $15.00
Please do look into the so called orange cans of death (Fram filters). No BS
I ran Fram for 2 yrs with low pressure and found a thread about them and changed it the same day. Believe it or not it made a huge difference in pressure. K&N gold is all I use now. It has a back flow valve and a welded nut on the back that makes removal so much easier than trying to get a filter wench in there. Just my .02
Good luck and please post what you find! Help out the next guy
Please do look into the so called orange cans of death (Fram filters). No BS
I ran Fram for 2 yrs with low pressure and found a thread about them and changed it the same day. Believe it or not it made a huge difference in pressure. K&N gold is all I use now. It has a back flow valve and a welded nut on the back that makes removal so much easier than trying to get a filter wench in there. Just my .02
Good luck and please post what you find! Help out the next guy
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CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Buy it from the dealership. It really isn't that much more and is a more reliable unit with better longevity than many aftermarket units.
I have a 90 Xj 4.0l I've been noticing that my oil pressure when the motor is warmed up for a while the pressure stays at 30 and does go up with engine speed but not much. Its a new rebuilt motor with unknown miles on it. Is there a way to boost the oil pressure and get it where its supposed to be
30psi sounds about right.
Too much oil pressure is just heating up the oil for no purpose.
The low pressure light is set for about 5psi on most engines.
Perfectly normal the have the oil pressure drop off at idle on a warm engine.
I have had high mileage engines go for years with less than 10psi at idle.
More pressure is not always a good thing. It means more heat, more foaming and more shear on the oil. Gone are the days of 20w50 and 80psi high volume pumps...
Steve
there is no such thing as too much oil pressure, unless you are trying to build high horespower and keep windage down.
get rid of the fram filter, frams suck so bad. You can also add a qt of lucas oil stabilizer to your 10w30 oil, it will boost your oil pressure and do a ton of beneficial things for the motor.
Anything made by lucas in the form of oil is brilliant.
get rid of the fram filter, frams suck so bad. You can also add a qt of lucas oil stabilizer to your 10w30 oil, it will boost your oil pressure and do a ton of beneficial things for the motor.
Anything made by lucas in the form of oil is brilliant.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Right now its a basic frame filter. 10w-30 oil. This is not my DD just a weekend toy
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Read this:
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oil.../opinions.html
Thank you guys for all the info on my oil pressure problem. I picked up new k&n oil filter and oil. Had to get oil sensor order from the dealership should be in before the weekend. I will get back with you guys and see if there was any change in oil pressure.



