AznMuscle

iTrader: (7)

Ok, the last couple of days, while the car would be warmed up, the oil pressure would randomly drop at some lights, down to about 20 at idle. When I would rev it up, pressure would go up, and then down the road some it would go back to normal. Well yesterday, a vacuum leak appeared, car is trying to idle around 1500, and there is NO oil pressure. I was thinking the Oil Pressure Sending Unit broke somehow, I bought a new one, but the connection and everything feels fine so I didn't take it off yet just incase that isn't the issue. If it is not the unit....Lifter went out? Valve train is also very loud, which is scaring me that it could be the latter. Help would be nice..thanks yall.

incbed

What oil are you using??

Also would like to add my car had almost 115,000 on it and I barely touched my oil sender and it broke in half.

Also when I replaced my factory oil pump the oil pump gear inside the pump was just flopping around in the oil pump housing.So you might want to replace the oil pump also if you have alot of miles on your car.

AznMuscle

iTrader: (7)

I have 106k miles on the car now, did the H/C swap (with new oil pump) at like 65-70k miles. I run 5w-30 Mobile full synthetic, or 0w-30 GC.

nysbadmk8

Replace the sending unit.. or verify with a mechanical gauge. If the valve is "noisy" it might be the latter, but a bad lifter isnt going to give you 0 oil pressure.. anything short of a bad oil pump isnt going to do that.

AznMuscle

iTrader: (7)

Ok, I'll replace the sending unit tomorrow or maybe after class. Next question...only time I have done that was when I had the manifold off. I can touch it, but can't see **** and cant tell how the electrical connector comes off. I am assuming I can swap it out without pulling the manifold right?

blsnelling

iTrader: (4)

Is the valve train significantly louder than normal, since the pressure dropped?

nysbadmk8

Gotta pull the Manifold.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

That is sort of what I thought reading the OP's post. If that is the case, then the sending unit isn't the issue. I wouldn't drive the car until the problem is found if the valve train is noisy.

When the H/C was done, what pump was installed and what time frame was the work done?

AznMuscle

iTrader: (7)

Valve train has always been noisey, but its hard to tell if its "louder" since its idling at 1500, not 850. So its not quite easy to tell really. Pump is a ls2 pump I believe...don't remember, I did all this back in June 09. Valve train is FTI Toxic Cam Kit, PAC 921 springs. All work was done in one day.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

If the lifters were not getting oil, it would be LOUD!! If the valve train hasn't gotten noticeably louder, then the sending unit is likely the issue. These are known headaches. If you replace it, get one that has the brass base.

CJJones87

iTrader: (3)

All of the busted sending units I've seen have been pegged past 80psi, not at 0psi. Just something to look into...

AznMuscle

iTrader: (7)

nysbadmk8

Honestly... the internet mechanics are great..

Lets do less guessing and leave the answers too people who have a dam clue.

Step 1. Verify Oil pressure with a mechanical gauge. ( if you have oil pressure, replace sending unit )

Step 1. Alternative, Since you have already bought the sending unit, replace sending unit if you have oil pressure problem solved.

If you have increased valvetrain noise, it might be an oil pressure problem. But this doesnt mean you skip step 1.

If neither Step one, Or the Alt work... Come back for more advice and we can go from there.

AznMuscle

iTrader: (7)

Thank you Sir. I'll see if I can rent a Mechanical gauge tomorrow and see whats up. Hopefully its just a manifold removal and Unit swap.

nysbadmk8

No problem... just dont want to see you get ahead of yourself on the problem and start thinking its something truly larger then it is.

You can use the side port on the drivers side of the block, or the port that the sender is in.

AznMuscle

iTrader: (7)

Since I have never used a mechanical gauge to check oil pressure, I might be on tomorrow for noob help

nysbadmk8

Just make sure you get the correct threaded adaptors and the rest is cake.

AznMuscle

iTrader: (7)

Update: Autozone doesn't have the gauge, so I am trying to see if a local board member has one. If not, then intake removal tomorrow and the next day, when I have some free time from class.

Z28/2002

iTrader: (27)

This is the adapter you need for a oil pressure gauge

http://autometer.carshopinc.com/prod...9ef7bf4ea10010

AznMuscle

iTrader: (7)

Just saw this now...been busy with other stuff, but thanks for the help!

This little piece, is that what I need to hook up the mechanical gauge into where the electric gauge is plugged into? So I can just pull the electric gauge, plug the mechanical in real quick, see whats up, then if its the sender, just replace?