My oil pressure gauge needle is always pegged to the right. I think the pressure sending unit is bad. Does that sound like the problem? How do I change it?

 

If it's the stock pump then yes it sounds like a bad sending unit. If it's been replaced by maybe a previous owner then it could be a high volume pump. If it turns out to be the sending unit it's located on the side of the oil filter mount, just screws out.

 

Depends upon year & model. Some are on the top rear of the engine, behind the intake manifold.

 

i'm havin the same problem.....coming to work this morning and my gauge just jumped to the right, so a few minutes ago i took it to where i got my oil changed last just to make sure that theres nothing wrong and he just told me to change my gauge that thats all the more than likely whats wrong, sheesh, i hope hes right, b-cuz i dont have another car or the money to replace anything major right now

 

Since you have an oil pressure gage, there are 2 oil pressure components. The sending unit for the gage is down by the oil filter. They do go bad, and peg your gage to the right. The one behind the intake is the oil pressure switch. All it does is turn the "oil" warning light on and off in the dash, and it also turns off the fuel pump relay if pressure gets too low(FI cars only). I would check the connector at the sensor to see if you have a good connection. They usually start leaking before they get that bad, and the leaking oil gets into the connector and causes a bad connection. It's easier/cheaper to just check it and clean it. I had to replace it on my truck many years ago and I don't remember what it cost, maybe $50. Good luck.

 

V8 carb cars only have the one, nothing by the oil filter (unless it has an in-tank as well as mechanical fuel pump, then it may have both - haven't seen one, so don't know for sure). V6 & V8 are also different.

Since no one has said what engine/car they're talking about, let's not send people off on a wild goose chase.

 

-- DECK Man --

I didn't realize it differed between years. What year is your car, mines a 91' and it's located on the side of the filter mount. As stated earlier it may be different depending on the year.

-- theCure --

I think the pressure sending unit is more likely to go bad before the guage. You would probably be better off switching out the sensor before trying the guage unless you have the means to test them. The sensor is cheap and easier to get to then the gauge. I just had mine replaced not to long ago and it's going bad again, I'm not saying this is typical, this could be due to any number of reasons.

 

my car is a 92 camaro rs 305 tbi if that helps to make sure i'm going the right route

 

Then yours would be in the same spot as mine

 

I've got an 86 305 carbed and it is on the back of the intake manifold right next to the distributer, and its the only one.

 

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. I knew I came to the right place! I have a '91 305 so I'll check down on the filter housing and see what I find. Thanks again!