98 Z28

I was driving around my camaro today and i noticed the oil was all over the placed once it hit 210*, under a little acceleration it would go down below 20, but if i would rev it up in neutral or park the pressure would rise with the rpms. It was a little low on oil so i took care of that . But then i took it out later to see if that fixed it and the oil pressure again dropped to 20 at 210* which seemed to be normal for as long as i've had the car. At 40mph it was around 40, but if i tried to accelerate a little it would drop a little below 40psi. Could the pump be going bad? Any ideas? Thanks

black01_WS6

iTrader: (13)

when you checked you oil was there any flakes in the oil? if you have some that is bad. Most likely you are in need of a new oil pump, I would put that in before it goes out. Has the temp gone over 210*? I ask this as the 98's were the only ones that had guages that actually work properly.

Before you get a oil pump check the oil first.

98 Z28

I didn't see anything but im gonna do a full oil change here soon, probably this week, so i will know for sure. The temp hits 210* but never goes over it. I'm thinking about having one of the local dealerships flush it with one of those vacuum things that cleans everything out. It's just wierd though that the pressure goes up when u just rev the engine but while under load in drive it doesn't go above 40 but when you let off the gas it goes a little above 40. Thanks for the info i'll let you guys know what the oil looks like when i change it.

68birdls1

iTrader: (46)

maybe your sending unit is going out??

BriancWS6

iTrader: (18)

That would be my educated guess as well.

98 Z28

What would be the easiest way to check if the sending unit is bad? It's just weird that it goes up when the engine is reved but not under load. I'm going to change the oil this week and see if t here are any signs of problems there too. Thanks for the ideas on that.

BriancWS6

iTrader: (18)

Unfortunately, you'll have to remove the intake to replace the sending unit.

98 Z28

Lol this going to take some work I might want to look into changing the cam too if its the pump, and maybe doing the intake if its just the sending unit. Is ther anyway to check the sending unit to see if it's bad or is the only way to check it by replacing it?

staringback05

iTrader: (8)

you can check the oil pressure by a manual gauge, if its the sending unit, itll be about a 70 dollar fix....if not, which it might not be its looking like a lower end issue

chae

iTrader: (8)

My oil pressure is usually between 40-60 according to the gauge and my car is a 1999 Camaro Z28. Just changed my oil and filter so it's nearer to 50-60 now.

98 Z28

I'm going to try and get the oil changed on thursday or this weekend. Until then its just going to sit.

98 Z28

I took it out tonight and drove it around, while it was cold the oil pressure would go up to around 60psi accelerating easily. Once it warmed up then it started to stay in the 30-40psi range. Could that pretty much mean it's the sending unit?

staringback05

iTrader: (8)

you cant determine if its a sending unit or bottom end issue just soley by the gauge....

98 Z28

Lol yeah I figured that, just wish I knew what it was, I'm going to try to get the oil changed this weekend and then next on the list will be the sending unit.

staringback05

iTrader: (8)

check the oils smell and also see if its got particals in it or is a odd color

98 Z28

Alright sounds like a plan, that was my main concern was checking for stuff in the oil but i'll see if it smells any different. Is there a smell that i should be smelling for like something distinct or just if it smells different?

staringback05

iTrader: (8)

burnt or rich of gasoline

Ryanmgaspard

iTrader: (6)

I read in another thread if you used a 0w 30 oil then the psi would drop. Before you buy a new damn pump put a longer oil filter on it. I don't remember the part number but the 6.0L oil filters from the Chevy trucks will fit. They are the size circumference size but are twice as long. Some people have had their oil pressure return to normal after this. Also, if you are using a Fram oil filter then that will probably make your pressure drop. Fram sucks, get a Nappa gold or something equivalent.

98 Z28

Yeah but isn't that more like a band aide to fixing the problem by just putting the larger filter on it? Would it be a potential problem being twice as big? May be worth trying though its definetly easy and cheap to test. My oil filter should be good it's a k&n. I'm going to try and get the oil done saturday or sunday.

Ryanmgaspard

iTrader: (6)

There's alot of post on here that people said the longer filter fixed the pressure problem. It might not be anything wrong at all. Maybe you just need a longer filter. You should try it. What could a longer filter break?