So i just bought my first mustang about 2 months ago. Its a 96 mustang V6 automatic. everything is stock. the odometer is broken (stopped working at 138,000) and the owner says it has about 150,000 miles on it...

Anyway, i have this weird problem. everytime i drive the car for about 20 mins or so, when the car is idle, the oil pressure gauge starts to drop below normal. The longer i drive, the further it drops when idle. When im cruising it goes to normal again.my neighbor told me that it isnt my oil pump and he replaced the oil pressure switch. He's stumped now. what could it be? could it have something to do with my odometer problem? help!!

 

It sounds like the engine is worn out and with the heat from driving things are loosening up.Could be you are using the wrong type and grade of oil and its thinning out as well.

Id get a mechanical gauge on there ASAP and then try to recreate the issue.If it is in fact thinning out and loosing pressure you could first run a thicker oil if that doesnt help the next step is to replace the oil pump and if it still isnt better you are looking at putting new bearrings in the lower end (CRANK AND RODS) basically an overhaul.

 

Oh crap! that doesnt sound good. I know this may sound dumb...but what are the consequeces of me drivin around somemore (i have relatively little knowledge about cars. Im really short on cash right now and cant afford to see a mechanic till around january. u think itll hold up till then?

 

It's nothing to do with your odometer problem.
If you put on another (auxillery) oil gauge & get same readings ,then it sounds like you have a low oil pressure problem. When did you last have an oil change ? I would get synthetic put in the engine & see if you get a more consistent oil pressure, is your idle speed correct ? too low an idle speed will affect oil pressure at idle speeds. If your oil pump has been changed, then you could have the pick-up tube inspected & make sure there is no restriction in the scavenge pipe/strainer. If all that checks out then you could have worn bearings, normally you will get some abnormal engine noise if this is the case.... but not always.

HTH, Steve

 

thanks for the info steve. i got an oil change at jiffy lube maybe a month ago (bad decision). the idiots forgot to reconnect one of my hoses so i had coolant fluid shooting all over my engine! but anyway, i didnt get the synthetic so i'll see if my neighbor has an auxillery gauge and see what happens.

 

I finally got sick of my gauge dropping and decided to go ahead and pay the dealer $100 to run a diagnostic on my stang. Turns out the engine is really worn out. Crank and rod bearings need to be replaced, i got oil dripping, basically i have to get an entirely new engine. I only payed 2grand for the car so i guess i gotta start looking into a replacement. :-( I wanna get a 2000-2004 gt. what would be a good price to pay and much do you all think i can get for my 96' v6 stang with an auto trans if i trade it in.

 

You paid $2000 for that car!

Wow, for a little more you could have bought a nice one.