# Oil pressure drops

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pressure-drops/21879>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** oil\
**Created:** [November 9, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pressure-drops/21879 "2008-11-09T18:10:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mightymike34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@mightymike34](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mightymike34)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pressure-drops/21879/1 "2008-11-09T18:10:44Z")

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I have a 1996 Dodge Ram p/u with V10 engine. when I step on the gas the oil pressure guage drops to the minimum in the range but when I take my foot off the accelerator it goes back up to the normal range. I recently had the oil changed and the crankcase is full.

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [November 9, 2008, 6:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pressure-drops/21879/2 "2008-11-09T18:40:22Z")

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You may have a clogged oil pick-up. Have the oil pressure confirmed with a mechanical gauge before digging further.

I saw this same problem on a Ford Ranger V6 I rebuilt. The oil pressure would drop as the truck drove along. The owner tried to correct the problem without dropping the oil pan as I suggested, but it finally threw a rod. After I pulled the engine, I found the oil pick-up screen was clogged with gunk that was so hard, I couldn’t chip it with a screwdriver. The oil pump was effectively trying to suck oil through a small straw, the pick-up was so constricted.

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**Author:** ![oblivion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3ab097/32.png) [@oblivion](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oblivion)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 4:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-pressure-drops/21879/3 "2008-11-13T04:29:56Z")

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Have it checked with a mechanical gauge, as mentioned. Another possibility besides a clogged pickup screen is worn main bearings. When you accelerate, the torque on the loose bearings can allow significant leakage, dropping the oil pressure. Could also be a failing oil pump I think. The mechanical gauge will tell if you really have a problem. Also, if the pressure is normal or nearly normal when the engine is cold, it almost certainly indicates mechanical wear in the engine.