Ok, i need help, and quick... yesterday I was looking my car over, and realized that my oil filter wasn't on tight (after I took my car someone to get the oil changed.. I always did it myself before, and now i know why). So, it had been dripping oil. I tightened it, and thought things were all good. Now today I saw my oil pressure was fluctuating hardcore. It went all over the spectrum, but shot down especially low when i was breaking hard. Now, I imagine I'm low on oil, but my dipstick is broken (sounds weird, but when I installed my headers, I broke it off, and now it won't sit quite right, and after I did an oil change last time, I just filled it up, realized I couldn't get a reading, and just assumed it was good because my motor doesn't leak oil). So my question is, how would I fix my dipstick, or check my oil level? And if that's not it, what could it be? HELP!!!

Jon

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89 GTA
Beautiful Gunmetal gray, LB9 305 and T5 tranny. Only 60,000 miles!
Dual cats, 3"flomaster
Accel 300+ Ignition, wires, cap, coil, etc
Airfoil
KN Airfilter
Removed Screens on MAF
SLP 1 3/4 headers
No Smog/AIR system

 

I s'pose if you were really low on oil you would lose pressure when you brake because it would all fly away from the pump pickup. If I were you I'd just change the oil to be sure it's right. Or you could just drain it out and add about 4 qts, as the filter holds about one qt.

 

My pressure was dropping down to 0 when at a stop then go up when I got on the gas. It ended up being the oil pressure sending unit, It seems they cause alot of people problems, I felt the bottom of mine it was covered in oil so I changed it Problem Solved. Its the bell shaped thing in the back of engine(well on my car atleast.) But in the mean time just drain your oil add the 5qts you need and drive it around see if problem is still there, then I would worry about the problem.

 

Dude, just jack it up, drain the old stuff, and dump in 4.5 qts new.

 

Don't our engines take 5 qts. I know it does for me.


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"Rice burners are like tampons...Every pu$$y has to have one"
'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
3" Hooker CatBack w/Aero Chamber muffler
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat, just switched to 180* b/c of winter coming and going to college in the mts.
3:73 Posi
Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite

 

Thats what I thought. 5qts, 4 without filter 5 with. Don't you hate it when your post turns into some other topic?

 

LOL, thanks guys for the quick responses... I'm going to change the oil (myself, as i used to back in the good ole' days [like a month ago or so ]). Then i'll let you guys know what's up. By the way, do any of you know of any aftermarket dipsticks (and holders) that i could purchase? For, of course, a passenger side dipstick block.

Thanks

Jon

 

Don't know about the dipstick question, but I will recommend that you never, ever, ever let anyone change your oil other than you .

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1990 IROC 350
Mods: Too busy trying to make it run right to mod it.
Airfoil, Dynomax cat-back, MSD coil, 180 t-stat, Bald Eagle tires,
Hypertech fan switch, Accel 23# injectors, Holley module, ported plenum,
Ported Daytona Yellow stock base, Moroso valve covers, other stuff,
Streetdampr, Ruger P95DC, hot wife, new oil filter, !cats, !TBC, !AIR.
18.0 @ 85MPH since I'm one big-a$$ MF
"It's better to have and not need than to need and not have."

 

Lokar makes a very nice and easy to install (well.... not that easy..) flexible dipstick for around $40. It's braided stainless line and billet aluminum handle. Works great with headers.

 

yeah my oil pressure sensor was leaking oil (see I ****ING HATE CAMAROS)

 

Well, I changed my oil, and everything is good again.. and i'm never.. ever.. EVER taking my car in to get the oil changed. And i'm going to definitely look into that Lokar dipstick. Thanks guys

Jon

 

when i used to take my oil to a place, i think they made it so i could never change it on my own, cause one day i decided i wasnt paying any 30 bucks for that crap and the damn oil bolt plug, whatever its name that just left me is, was like half shaven off, so it looked like this ^ kinda...so i had to make them change it, damn communists...and they over filled my tranny. grrr