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how do you tell if the sending unit is bad or bad oil pump

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Old 06-25-2003 | 05:41 PM
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Default how do you tell if the sending unit is bad or bad oil pump

my guage reads zero and i have no ticking. how can I tell if its the sending unit or pump thats bad.
Old 06-25-2003 | 08:31 PM
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Default Re: how do you tell if the sending unit is bad or bad oil pump

Loosen the oil filter and see if anything comes out with the engine idling.
Old 06-26-2003 | 07:44 AM
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Default Re: how do you tell if the sending unit is bad or bad oil pump

Weird, the guage works like a minute after the car is running now. It reads zero then works normal after a minute or so of driving. I guess this has to be the sending unit.
Old 06-26-2003 | 07:58 AM
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Default Re: how do you tell if the sending unit is bad or bad oil pump

You had better not take chances. Pull the oil filter and make sure you have consistent pressure. Otherwise , you will be pulling more than the filter!!
Old 06-26-2003 | 09:40 AM
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Default Re: how do you tell if the sending unit is bad or bad oil pump

if the gauge is working after you start driving, that would indicate to me that the oil pump is not working correctly
Old 06-26-2003 | 09:52 AM
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Default Re: how do you tell if the sending unit is bad or bad oil pump

If it turns out you need (or want) a new sending unit, I think I have a new one in my basement from when my oil pump failed. I would let it go for cheap.
Old 06-26-2003 | 10:33 AM
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Default Re: how do you tell if the sending unit is bad or bad oil pump

where is the sending unit located at. If its easy to change I'll do that and see what happens. I would have to bring the car to the dealer to get it and oil pump replaced if its hard or doesn't fix it.
Old 06-26-2003 | 10:53 AM
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Default Re: how do you tell if the sending unit is bad or bad oil pump

sending unit is right behind the intake manifold. You need to pop off the intake manifold and then it's right there...

One problem I had when I changed mine (broke mine during my intake removal so had to replace) is that I didn't have a socket deep enough for the new sensor... so I ended up pulling my lifter valley cover and using a big wrench
Old 06-26-2003 | 03:01 PM
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Default Re: how do you tell if the sending unit is bad or bad oil pump

your pump is probably going bad, mine did the same thing it would sit at zero, and after i threw a rev it would work fine, but after that everytime i accelerated the pressure dropped to zero lol. I heard someone mention that was due to the pressure release sticking or something of that nature.
Old 06-26-2003 | 05:51 PM
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Default Re: how do you tell if the sending unit is bad or bad oil pump

At higher rpm's the pump produces too much pressure, so the the relief valve opens. When the rpm goes back down, the valve is supposed to close, but sometimes the plunger hangs up in the bore so when the engine returns to idle there's no oil presure. The ported replacement pumps have this bore opened up slightly so it doesn't hang up. Don't ask me why GM didn't do this . . .



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