Questions and Answers

Flickering Oil Light Q. 1984 Ford LTD Country Squire Wagon. Believe it or not, I actually have one of these with: * 54k original miles * 302 V-8 w/EFI * AT w/Overdrive * All Power Options

I bought this car about 4 years ago as "inventory" from the original owner (relative) to replace my beloved 1983 which now has 172,000 miles on it and is less trouble than the 1984. I never imagined the 1983 would still be going strong this long, it has had a hard life. The 1984 sits most of the time, often for months at a time. Before I got it, it was driven regularly, but not far, a few miles to work and back. It was always properly maintained and my uncle had very little trouble with it.

The problem I am writing about has been happening for at least as long as I've owned the car. The engine light flickers... always when idling. The farther and harder it is driven, the more it comes on, stays on longer and is brighter. I've driven it for the past two days and every time I stop to park it, it stalls out. It has started right up again (while I held my breath). It shows no other signs of overheating or running particularly hot (I've had a lot of experience with Fords running hot as they age, but have never had a car this old with so few miles on it.) All fluids are full and the oil is fresh.

Today I ran it at freeway speeds for 15-30 minutes at a time. Sometimes the light would flicker whenever I took my foot off the gas and sometimes it would flicker only when I began to accelerate again. It is so aggravating, you wouldn't think it and my 1983 were from the same planet. My daughter-in-law has an 1984 in a sedan with 140,000 miles, and its engine light also flickers at idle. I don't know how it acts under other driving conditions. Is this some sort of plague that afflicts only the 1984?

A. This was not only a problem with the 1984 Ford LTD but with most of the 302's built before 3/30/87. So much that a TSB was issued on 8/17/88 about it. From the bulletin:

Article No. 88-17-8

ENGINE OIL - LOW PRESSURE - 5.0L - OIL SLUDGING - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 3/30/87

FORD: 1983-86 LTD
1983-88 MUSTANG, THUNDERBIRD, CROWN VICTORIA

LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1983-86 CAPRI, MARQUIS 1983-87 CONTINENTAL 1983-88 COUGAR, GRAND MARQUIS, MARK VII, LINCOLN TOWN CAR

ISSUE:
Low oil pressure indicated by the oil pressure gauge or indicator lamp may be caused by oil sludge build-up in the engine. This may occur on engines that have as little as 30,000 miles. The sludge clogs the oil pickup tube screen and cover assembly causing low engine oil pressure.

ACTION:
To correct this, install a new oil pickup tube screen and cover assembly and a new PCV valve. Also install a new crankcase ventilation oil separator element on 1986-88 model year vehicles. Refer to the following procedure for service details.

Note:
The following information should be recommended to the customer to prevent sludge build-up.

• Use good quality SF multi-grade engine oil.
• Change oil at shorter intervals. Recommend a 3,000 mile (4,800 kilometer) interval.
• Remind owner of the definitions of normal and severe service.
• Point out that both drain plugs must be removed during an oil change to completely drain oil pan.
• Suggest that police vehicles use an oil cooler.
• If hours, rather than miles, are used as service intervals, 100 hour oil and filter change intervals should be recommended.
• Change PCV valve at 15,000 miles (24,000 kilometers).
• Change the crankcase ventilation oil separator element at 15,000 miles (24,000 kilometers) on 1986-88 model year vehicles.

Service Procedure:

1. Clean engine (with steam or use a suitable degreaser).
2. With oil pressure gauge, T73L-6600-A or equivalent, check oil pressure. It should be 40-60 psi at 2,000 RPM (normal operating temperature). If not, go Step 3.
3. Remove rocker arm covers. Refer to appropriate Car Shop Manual. Clean inside of rocker arm covers.
4. With a brush and kerosene, clean cylinder head and valve train components. Do not damage valve stem oil seals.
5. Clean out oil drain back holes with a wire brush and kerosene.
6. Remove intake manifold assembly. Refer to appropriate Car Shop Manual.
7. Using a wire brush, kerosene, and a shop vacuum cleaner, clean deposits from the underside of intake manifold and top of cylinder block. Be sure that crossover cover is removed to allow cleaning in that area also.
8. Flush clean areas with fresh engine oil.
9. Install heat crossover cover.
10. Install intake manifold assembly.
11. Install rocker arm covers.
12. Remove oil pan assembly. Refer to appropriate Car Shop Manual.
13. Remove oil pump pickup tube screen and cover assembly and replace with new screen and cover assembly (E7PZ-6622-A).
14. Clean inside of oil pan and reinstall pan.
15. Clean inside of air cleaner tray and install a new PCV filter (breather pack).
16. Install a new crankcase ventilation oil separator element on 1986-88 model year vehicles. The element is located in the lower intake manifold under the PCV valve.
17. Remove existing PCV valve and install new PCV valve. Refer to the following service application chart for the correct PCV valve.

You're looking at a good 10 to 12 hours of work to correct this, but it does work. BTW, if you ever want to sell it, let me know. The LTD Country Squire Wagon has always been a favorite of mine.

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA

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