Low oil pressure at idle
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Fairport Harbor, Ohio
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I recently just grabbed at 98 cherokee with 215k miles this last week. I noticed while driving not to long after that at an idle the oil pressure would drop to the second to last line on the low side and sit there till I got under load, after that it would return back to 40 or the middle mark.
I'm not familiar at all with anything jeep related and I'm curious as to what it could be. I heard I need to replace the oil pump. I hope it's nothing serious and going to break the bank.
I'm not familiar at all with anything jeep related and I'm curious as to what it could be. I heard I need to replace the oil pump. I hope it's nothing serious and going to break the bank.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 897
Likes: 2
From: NJ
Year: 2004 WJ, 1998 XJ
Model: Grand Cherokee(WJ)
Engine: 4.7 HO
Normal. My 98 does the same thing. The gauge may not be 100% accurate as well.
And since you're new to jeeps, don't run the cheap Fram filters in these things. They will definitely affect your oil pressure. Found that out first hand.
And since you're new to jeeps, don't run the cheap Fram filters in these things. They will definitely affect your oil pressure. Found that out first hand.
Last edited by rgr4475; Nov 24, 2015 at 12:51 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Fairport Harbor, Ohio
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 404
Likes: 18
From: New Jersey
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Ditto on the oil filter, its probably junk. The pressure is fine, but could be higher. My 2000 XJ idles at 40psi, goes up to 60psi when hitting the gas.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 5
From: Oregon Coast
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,692
Likes: 6
From: Mercer County, NJ
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO
Pressure doesn't equal flow. And type of oil and filter affects everything lets face it. When I do T6 5-40, I sit around 30-40 idle when warm. I'm running Mobil 1 5-30 for winter and it sits around 20 at idle.
And as for a quick lube places. Make sure they put the right amount of oil in. Those places put 5qts in anything that moves. And they put cheap white filters.
And as for a quick lube places. Make sure they put the right amount of oil in. Those places put 5qts in anything that moves. And they put cheap white filters.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 404
Likes: 18
From: New Jersey
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Are you running Mobil 5w-30 synthetic? I'm just running Mobil Super 5000 5w-30, with a Purolator classic filter. Normally I run Fram extended guard, but I had just had the head off so I wanted a cheap filter to catch any dirt I got in the engine.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,692
Likes: 6
From: Mercer County, NJ
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO
And that Purolator is better than that fram extra guard. Go Napa gold and don't look back.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,692
Likes: 6
From: Mercer County, NJ
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO



Stop worrying,your pressure is fine. I will trade places with you b/c mine sits at 3 to 4 psi but it has been that way for over 50 thousand miles!!