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DBL_TKE Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 1505 Location: Aloha, OR
1991 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:07 pm Post subject: Zero oil pressure at idle |
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Today while on my way home from work on the highway I happened to notice that my oil pressure seemed fairly low, it was right at the first hash mark which appears to be about 15 PSI while i was cruising at about 2800rpms. Generally my gauge reads at the 30psi mark while cruising. Once I hit my first stop light I glanced down again and noticed the needle sitting at zero, I blipped the throttle and the gauge bumped up to the top of the red zone and held there. Twice more I saw it dip down to zero when the RPM's came to an idle. Not once did I see it get above the first hash mark when usually I see about 45psi when accelerating. I parked the car for the night but I've never dealt with an oil pressure problem before and I'm not sure where I should start. And no, the engine is not low on oil at least. _________________ Richmond 3.73 posi| 36/24 sway bars | SLP LM2 | Koni's | Ground Control 800/200 | Y2K wheels | Dyno Don headers & Y-pipe | airfoil | BBK underdrive pulleys | Raised strut mounts | Extended ball joints | LCARB'S
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chevymad Master B
Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 5474
1987 Pontiac Formula
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Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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If you weren't hearing any noises the gauge is wrong. I keep a mechanical gauge with a hose at work to check. After that its just diagnosing the gauge. |
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DBL_TKE Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 1505 Location: Aloha, OR
1991 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 6:10 am Post subject: |
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First thing I did was crack the window to hear if it sounded like it had no oil. Sounded normal to me which is why I didn't kill the engine right away. |
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Alphius Peanut
Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 2429 Location: Grand Mound
1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 6:48 am Post subject: |
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My money is on the sender since you saw the gauge hit both the top and the bottom of the range. _________________ 84 Camaro Z28 - LS1/T56
85 Silverado - Low and Slow |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:08 am Post subject: |
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Buy a real gauge and hardmount it in the cab. I'd get a temp gauge and tach too. Never trust any GM instrumentation, especially on a '90-'92 Camaro dash.
That said, I would check it with a reliable shop gauge as soon as possible. |
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fiveoformula Member
Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 1799 Location: OR
1988 Pontiac Formula
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 8:17 am Post subject: |
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My bet is the gauge sender also. they're cheap and in stock at almost every parts store. _________________
'88 FORMULA |
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DBL_TKE Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 1505 Location: Aloha, OR
1991 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 11:15 am Post subject: |
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aaron_sK wrote: | Buy a real gauge and hardmount it in the cab. I'd get a temp gauge and tach too. Never trust any GM instrumentation, especially on a '90-'92 Camaro dash.
That said, I would check it with a reliable shop gauge as soon as possible. |
I know the stock cluster is far from accurate and I do plan to get all Autometer gauges down the line but that's money that I can spend on my engine build so it'll be awhile. I'll just get a new sender first and go from there. |
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fiveoformula Member
Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 1799 Location: OR
1988 Pontiac Formula
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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This must be contagious.... I had to mash on throttle in the jeep to get into traffic earlier and I noticed the oil PSI gauge pegged, then went zero, then 40PSI (middle of gauge) all within about 5 seconds. Lol |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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But that's a Jeep.
When it breaks you just keep going. |
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fiveoformula Member
Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 1799 Location: OR
1988 Pontiac Formula
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, maybe it just spit a rod out the side of the block and thats why the gauge went a little funky.... lol it'll be ok |
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chevymad Master B
Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 5474
1987 Pontiac Formula
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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I'm pretty sure my jeep has an idiot gauge. Needle is always just over half no matter what temp/rpm etc. |
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Twilightoptics Hardcore (12sec Club)
Joined: 13 Jan 2004 Posts: 9191 Location: Auburn , WA
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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That sucks. Mine is clearly higher cold than hot. _________________ A redline a day keeps the carbon away! |
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Alphius Peanut
Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 2429 Location: Grand Mound
1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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Real oil pressure gauge crew representin'
The Subaru just has an idiot light though... _________________ 84 Camaro Z28 - LS1/T56
85 Silverado - Low and Slow |
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