Topic: Oil Pressure
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Cleveland, OH - USA
Joined: 10/10/2007
Posts: 1
Vette(s): 1973 Coupe, L82, Dark Blue
May 14, 2008
The oil pressure gauge in my 1973 Stingray may have failed as the needle stays at zero. I now wonder if the gauge is still ok but there's really zero oil pressure. Although the engine seems to run fine. Is there a way to diagnose this oil pressure gauge? Is it an electronic gauge?
Thanks
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You can do a search here to find troubleshooting procedure to eliminate causes and narrow it down.
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
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Not sure when they went to electric gauges for oil press., but it was '72 or '73.
If yours is mechanical, and the gauge shows "0" pressure, then you have either a bad gauge, or a kink in the plastic oil line from the engine to the gauge.
If it is electrical, I would start by grounding the sender wire at the sender, located just above the oil filter, and then see if the gauge moves...it should peg out high with it grounded. If the gauge doesn't move when the sender wire is grounded(key on), then you have either a wiring issue, or a bad gauge.
If yours is mechanical, and the gauge shows "0" pressure, then you have either a bad gauge, or a kink in the plastic oil line from the engine to the gauge.
If it is electrical, I would start by grounding the sender wire at the sender, located just above the oil filter, and then see if the gauge moves...it should peg out high with it grounded. If the gauge doesn't move when the sender wire is grounded(key on), then you have either a wiring issue, or a bad gauge.
Joel Adams
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Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
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Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
My 72' has a plastic line. Most of the time it reads in the 30-35 lb range, at normal road speed. What should it read for 100G+? NO smoke, but burns oil at sustained speeds, trip to H/S.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Minimum readings, or what would be considered safe, are 10 pounds per 1000 rpms. Most healthy small blocks will run around 30-40 pounds while driving, and may drop to around 15-20 hot, idling.
An engine that uses, or otherwise burns oil, is no indication of excessive clearances that would tend to lower oil pressure...just an indication of a sealing issue with the rings, or valve guides. So, basically, oil pressure has nothing to do with oil usage.
An engine that uses, or otherwise burns oil, is no indication of excessive clearances that would tend to lower oil pressure...just an indication of a sealing issue with the rings, or valve guides. So, basically, oil pressure has nothing to do with oil usage.
Joel Adams
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Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
My pressure gage on my 82CE does not read zero when turned off. It is not even close to zero. Should it go to zero?
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
No...
The electric types on the later cars will usually stay where they are when it is shut of. Once the key is turned on, it should go to zero...
The electric types on the later cars will usually stay where they are when it is shut of. Once the key is turned on, it should go to zero...
Joel Adams
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I put a new GM crate motor in my car and before doing so had 40 psi. With the new motor, it reads 80 psi at warm up and cruising, but will drop between 60-80 after warming up and at stops-redlights.
Is there any need to be concerned?
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
No...60-80psi warm is fine. A bit useless, perhaps, but not anything to worry about.
My '74 will run 60psi or so at startup, and then drop to 40psi hot...by the gauge, which may or may not be 100% accurate.
My '74 will run 60psi or so at startup, and then drop to 40psi hot...by the gauge, which may or may not be 100% accurate.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Engines
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