Jeep Strokers

We have almost 50K miles on my mini-stroker build from 2013 as detailed in this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=3391

Over the past year we've had 3 incidents of a drop in oil pressure to 0. Every time, it's after it's been driven for more than an hour and has been idling for at least a few minutes. It goes from a very solid 45? psi to 0, and Lil K has learned to shut it off immediately when seeing the drop. On a restart after a few minutes, it acts like normal.

I'm not sure what could be happening other than a bad sender, which has been replaced either during the rebuild or after, I can't remember for sure. Any ideas?

It'll either be a failing gauge sending unit if the readings are false, or a failing oil pump (or clogged oil pump screen) if the readings are true.
Have you checked that the oil level is correct?

The oil level is fine and it's pretty fresh. I've run 30 wt Rotella since the rebuild on the machine shop recommendation. I don't see how that could contribute, but I think I'm going to switch to 10-30. I'll try changing the sending unit. Always do the cheapest thing first, right?

Knoxes wrote:The oil level is fine and it's pretty fresh. I've run 30 wt Rotella since the rebuild on the machine shop recommendation. I don't see how that could contribute, but I think I'm going to switch to 10-30. I'll try changing the sending unit. Always do the cheapest thing first, right?

This is one of those times whenever possible to use a factory jeep part.
A OEM Jeep sending unit may cost you a few extra bucks, but it will be worth it. Checking it against a mechanical gauge wouldn't hurt either.

Interestingly enough, the OEM part doesn't seem to be available anymore. My local dealer couldn't find one within a couple of hundred miles. And the online Mopar sites that I used during the stroker build don't have it either. I had to go aftermarket unfortunately.

Have you backed up or verified your readings with a mechanical gauge yet?

I haven't and don't really have a way to do that either. Also, it's very intermittent. He's had months go between episodes, so it's totally unpredictable.

I put the Duralast product in and found the engine side electrical connector was oily on the inside. There's an oil leak back there somewhere, so it's possible that the switch wasn't getting a good reading. Regardless, I sprayed some carb cleaner in there and tried to blow it out with some canned air. We'll see how it goes. No issues so far.