91 camaro rs

yesterday my oil pressure gauge started reading really low. it normally idled at 30 psi and would climb to 60 with throttle. now it barely reaches 30 with throttle and idles just above the red"warning" zone when warm. i checked the oil and it was right where it is supposed to be. i just started running 10w40 high mileage oil in her with my last oil change. what do u think could be causing this issue?


thanks

eric

tsram

Change the oil pressure switch on the engine block beside the oil filter. These are known to go bad often on these cars. I think it's around $18.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

If you don't see any improvement with the new oil pressure sender try a mechanical gauge. Or just go straight to the mechanical gauge, that's what I did in my Camaro. I have a mechanical temp gauge too cause I was having issues with that one reading incorrectly as well.

You could also try changing the oil filter. If its clogged it can cause pressure problems.

Next step would be replacing the oil pump.

If none of those get it back up to normal you're probably looking at a rebuild. Had the same thing happen twice on my truck.

Doom86

A bad oil pressure sending unit does exactly what you explained. When mine was bad it would sometimes go to 0 in dead of winter.

RED86Z28

The sending unit is very likely since it happened all of a sudden. swapping the oil filter is not a bad idea either. There is a chance it has had a failure. If it continues after you replace the parts then get a cheap mechanical gauge and temporary connect it for comparison. If they agree just keep an eye on it. I have seen several people change oil pumps in older engines just to be disappointed because the pump is not the only worn part. If the pump has worn out its likely that the bearings are also done.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

That's exactly what happened with my truck's engine. Swapped the oil pump and it worked for about a week and a half before the pressure dropped back down again. When I finally tore the engine down, EVERY bearing was shot and the crank and cylinders 7 & 8 had some nasty scoring. The cam bearings had NO bearing material left on them, just the base steel behind the bearing surface. Surprisingly the engine ran really well though.

tsram

It's just very easy labor-wise, time-wise, and money-wise to spend the $18 and take a shot at changing the pressure sensor before you get carried away pulling your hair out worrying about a re-build. IF you did have a bad oil pump, I would never just change the pump if I had the motor already out. It'd be SO worth your while to re-ring and put new bearings on the crank, rods, and cam while it was down and easy to get to.
I'd still put my money on the sender since pressure changed on you quickly.

91 camaro rs

is the sender by the oil filter? if so how did you manage to get a wrench down there to remove the unit. it looks to be over an inch in size and there is no room to work it loose. any tips?


thanks
eric

wildjyoung

iTrader: (6)

First thing is to replace the sending unit. They frequently fail and are relatively cheap to replace. You may also want to confirm the reading by using the port on the back china wall and a mechanical gauge.



*****Ignore my comments. I thought I was the first person to respond but obviously the topic has been well covered********

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

I never said he WOULD need a rebuild, just that he MIGHT. It was also the last possibility I listed. I agree that pulling the engine just to change the oil pump is a waste of time & money. However, it can be done without pulling the engine, its just a real PITA on thirdgens. On my truck, its actually pretty easy.

f-bodymikey

Replacing the oil pump is do able if that is the problem, but it is a pain. Those other guys are right if that's the case you will probably soon discover after start up your cam bearings are gone. If you pull the pan and there is a bunch of black gasket looking stuff in the pan the bearings are gone. Good luck probably is the oil sending unit though.

91 camaro rs

got the sending unit replaced. was a real PITA to get to tho! thanks

eric

rscamaro90

I had to get mine from underneath the car and used a pair of channel locks and turned it a quarter inch at a time

rscamaro90

I had to get mine from underneath and used a pair of channel locks and just turned it a quarter at a time

tsram

So, what did you come up with on your pressure?

wager420

On topic here, I just recently changed the oil pressure switch because it was leaking. After that I get 0 oil preassure while a complete stop. 30 with WOT. Before replacing the switch I would get 1/4 of the gauge at a stop light 3/4 on a good day. Engine feels strong though. will be getting some gauges today. Thanks third

conleyh2006

my thirdgen 92 camaro dropped oil preasure today while at an idle and all the oil pump and oil sender is new as i just rebuilt the engine not sure what might have happened after the car cooled off i started it again and the oil preasure was back up where it is suppose to be any suggestions would be great feel free to pm me or answer here thanks

conleyh2006

changed the oil from 10w30 to 10w40 and oil preasure is doing fine now

valdimar

I just had the same switch to replace and I want to share the way I finally got it out. Save yourself some time and use a mini hack saw and cut off most of the old switch so you can get a 30 mm socket on it and it will be out in 10 minutes. I fought trying channel locks, pliers, wrenches. There's no room. I wish I had done this first. Switch was $40 and socket $10. Ouch