So the other day out of nowhere I started my camaro and let it sit for a minute to warm up and all the sudden the "Check Gauges" light comes on and it shows no oil pressure at all. Drove the car 5 days prior and when it got up to around 50-55 mph it seemed to have lost power/bogged out for a second then returned back to its normal state. Maybe a sending unit? If so does anyone know how I would go amongst replacing it or where it is? I have basic car knowledge, just need a little help lol. I also didn't hear a ticking at all if that matters as far as the engine blowing up. Help would be appreciated. The engine's a 5.7L V8. Thanks guys.

 

Forgot to mention the car only has little over 56,000 miles on it. If it matters lol.

 

Being a 98 you may have a tricky situation. The oil pumps are known for failure in that year.

You need to verify if the oil pump is working.

I would remove the oil filter and place a large drain pan under the car. Start it up and see if you make a mess Oil everywhere insures a good pump. No mess and you've got a pump problem, and another mess on your hands There are other ways of checking oil pressure, but this is by far the easiest. Post up what you find!

Installing a new sending unit requires removing the intake, or if you're familiar with the job it can done without removing the intake - but is NOT easy.

 

Starting the car won't wear on the engine will it? I'm moving to Florida from Michigan in about two months and want to tie the problem up before then but don't want to pay out the *** ya know? I will definately try that out today and see I can solve the issue. I will post back on here with my results to see if we can nail it. Thanks alot man! I do appreciate the help.

 

Just start it up for a few seconds, then shut it down and inspect. No need to run it for anymore than 5-6 seconds max.

Running the engine at idle with little to no oil pressure for just a few seconds will not cause any real damage to the engine.

How long did you let it run with the oil pressure gauge showing no pressure?

 

Pumping and the ability to pressurize are two different things. Take the sending unit off (Back of the intake, but don't break it off) and put a manual adapter and gauge on there..

 

Probably about 30 seconds. I didn't hear any ticking. It seemed to be idling high but not to much more than normal. When I bought the car a year ago I slapped a LS6 intake, new heads, headers, air box, and pipes on it and got it tuned. He had problems bringing the idling down on it when it comes to a stop. It's an automatic. The transmisson was the only thing that I didn't touch. So it's stock. The engine is out of a 98 Trans Am. the guy I bought it from bought it from NY and tore the engine out to use it in his Trans Am and put the Trans Am motor in this camaro. Turns out I got the good engine and it only has 52,000 on it . So I know I need to get the trans rebuilt or get a new one after I fix the oil pressure problem. It just sometimes shifts hard. Whatever it was stock I have it up to 401hp currently after slapping all the stuff on it. But I don't know a whole bunch about the car . The economy's bad in Michigan and I'm laid off currently and can't afford to pay for more than the parts ya know? That's why this forum is one hell of a forum for me lol.

 

I went out and took some pictures. Can you point out where the sending unit is in this picture?

http://www.hugedrive.com/published/W...WWQ==-433d67d8

Others:

http://www.hugedrive.com/published/W...WWQ==-133f66d0

 

All the way in the back of the intake manifold/block.

 

With intake manifold removed, it is at the rear of the block:

 

oh.. more FYI, when you take the intake off and it doesn't seem to want to move, don't force it.. that's when you'll snap that sending unit off.. The sending unit is between the intake and the brake booster vacuum line.. The intake needs to get swiveled.. turn the back towards the pass side and lift gently to get the hose over the sending unit..

 

I really hope he read that before pulling the intake or else he's out 45 bucks.