Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
Browse all: Engine Problems by Sympton
- Jeep Cherokee XJ 1984 to 2001 Why is Oil Pressure High
Guide to diagnose trouble and recommended solutions
Browse all: Engine Problems by Sympton
What is normal oil pressure for a 4.0?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO

My stock gauge and an aftermarket gauge both read off the chart...

I've used a flush additive at service time with little effect.
Apart from the gauge readings, everything else seems good..

Both gauges are tapped into the filter adapter. Is there somewhere else I can get oil pressure from for another aftermarket gauge, in case the problem is in the filter adapter.??
cheers
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: CMC=7 Blocks from the Atlantic
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
My 2001 XJS with a Napa silver filter and whatever is the cheapest 10w-30 high mileage oil in it runs at a little over 50 psi at highway speeds and idles aroun 30-35 warmed up. 172k on it.
Factory spec is at least 13 psi at hot idle. There are more misconceptions about oil pressure than you can shake a stick at.
Mine has 4psi at idle and 25 at 2000 rpm. Oil pressure is not a function, it is an indication of resistance to flow....in other word it is used to reference engine wear.
Nascar engines have only 30 psi at 9000 rpm! The important thing is flow,if oil is getting to the top of the motor (rockers) and lifters are staying pumped up your ok. IF your pressure is low because of wear, increasing pressure,by whatever methods, will have no benefit at all.
Mine has 4psi at idle and 25 at 2000 rpm. Oil pressure is not a function, it is an indication of resistance to flow....in other word it is used to reference engine wear.
Nascar engines have only 30 psi at 9000 rpm! The important thing is flow,if oil is getting to the top of the motor (rockers) and lifters are staying pumped up your ok. IF your pressure is low because of wear, increasing pressure,by whatever methods, will have no benefit at all.
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
Year: 2000, 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Straight 6
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 905
Likes: 8
From: New Hampshire
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6

My stock gauge and an aftermarket gauge both read off the chart...

I've used a flush additive at service time with little effect.
Apart from the gauge readings, everything else seems good..

Both gauges are tapped into the filter adapter. Is there somewhere else I can get oil pressure from for another aftermarket gauge, in case the problem is in the filter adapter.??
cheers
My Jeep is a 1999 Cherokee with a 4.0. Is 13lb still the correct number for oil pressure at warm idle? Hoping to install a new gauge today because it is running much lower than that. Already switched the sending unit.
CF Veteran




Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
1. Specs don't change just because a year or two goes by.
2. These electric gauges are notoriously inaccurate. Before you change out your gauge, check your pressure with a mechanical gauge.
You can probably borrow a test kit from Autozone or Advance Auto - they both have free "rental" tool programs. The deal is, you "buy" the tool at full retail, use it, and take it back for a full refund. It will probably not be a new tool, but it will be functional. You can decide to keep it if you want to, and there's no problem.
OR, buy an inexpensive mechanical gauge and hook it up temporarily to see what you really have, and go from there. I did that a while back. $16 for a Bosch at Pep Boys and it took me all of ten minutes to hook it up, verify my readings at various RPMs, take it out, put back the original sending unit, and close things up.
2. These electric gauges are notoriously inaccurate. Before you change out your gauge, check your pressure with a mechanical gauge.
You can probably borrow a test kit from Autozone or Advance Auto - they both have free "rental" tool programs. The deal is, you "buy" the tool at full retail, use it, and take it back for a full refund. It will probably not be a new tool, but it will be functional. You can decide to keep it if you want to, and there's no problem.
OR, buy an inexpensive mechanical gauge and hook it up temporarily to see what you really have, and go from there. I did that a while back. $16 for a Bosch at Pep Boys and it took me all of ten minutes to hook it up, verify my readings at various RPMs, take it out, put back the original sending unit, and close things up.
CF Veteran




Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I hear you. It's about 10 where I am. 15 minutes work outside, 20 minutes inside thawing out!
'00 4.0. Napa oil, 5w30 winter, 10w30 summer, Napa gold filter 1085. Start up 45lbs. When running about the same. Very hot idle about 22lbs. Never checked with an external gauge. Probably should at some point.




