Oil temp sensor - cheaper alternatives?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 46
From: Lynchburg, VA
Oil temp sensor - cheaper alternatives?
I've replaced my oil temp sensor once before, and the replacement (from Ecklers I think) recently physically fell apart. Everything I find is $40-$50, which seems ridiculous for a simple temp sensor. I'm not keen to drop $50 on something that might come apart in a few years.
Anyone know if there's a cheaper way? I've been looking to see if I can find a temp sensor from another application that would do the trick.
Edit: AutoZone has one for $32, but reviews are mixed.
Anyone know if there's a cheaper way? I've been looking to see if I can find a temp sensor from another application that would do the trick.
Edit: AutoZone has one for $32, but reviews are mixed.
Last edited by C4ProjectCar; Mar 13, 2021 at 03:17 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 1,406
From: Mid-Atlantic
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
You must pay your corvette tax and say thank you, sir, may I buy another.
It's just what they cost. Is what it is.
It's just what they cost. Is what it is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 1,406
From: Mid-Atlantic
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
Zip Corvette is in Va.
I like to buy from them just because I get it pretty quick. Usually next day. Two days max.
I like to buy from them just because I get it pretty quick. Usually next day. Two days max.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
I've replaced my oil temp sensor once before, and the replacement (from Ecklers I think) recently physically fell apart. Everything I find is $40-$50, which seems ridiculous for a simple temp sensor. I'm not keen to drop $50 on something that might come apart in a few years.
Anyone know if there's a cheaper way? I've been looking to see if I can find a temp sensor from another application that would do the trick.
Edit: AutoZone has one for $32, but reviews are mixed.
Anyone know if there's a cheaper way? I've been looking to see if I can find a temp sensor from another application that would do the trick.
Edit: AutoZone has one for $32, but reviews are mixed.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 46
From: Lynchburg, VA
Didn't realize they were in VA, too bad they're not close enough to drive.
Hey better than nothing. Past experience says QC isn't there for these parts, and I feel like there's gotta be a reason this one is $10-$20 cheaper than all the rest. That said, their warranty has me leaning toward that one. If it craps out I can easily exchange it.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,135
Likes: 9,447
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
why would you buy something from a vendor when any local auto parts store will sell you the same thing. its a common GM part no need to pay corvette tax on it. plus shipping
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 46
From: Lynchburg, VA
I'd buy the expensive one in a heartbeat if it had a warranty like the cheap(er) one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 750
Likes: 86
From: St Petersburg
my 2cents on the corvette "tax" thing is if you do a little research most parts are made for other GM cars or at least Chevrolet
if you can get the word "Corvette" off the item you may get them cheaper
My son is great at doing that researcher
and yes try to stay away form the Corvette parts dealers, pricing is very inflated IMO
if you can get the word "Corvette" off the item you may get them cheaper
My son is great at doing that researcher
and yes try to stay away form the Corvette parts dealers, pricing is very inflated IMO
Last edited by BillDurant; Mar 14, 2021 at 10:15 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 363
From: Central Alabama
Hey better than nothing. Past experience says QC isn't there for these parts, and I feel like there's gotta be a reason this one is $10-$20 cheaper than all the rest. That said, their warranty has me leaning toward that one. If it craps out I can easily exchange it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 17,396
Likes: 6,536
From: Melbourne, FL
Bummer.
Didn't realize they were in VA, too bad they're not close enough to drive.
Hey better than nothing. Past experience says QC isn't there for these parts, and I feel like there's gotta be a reason this one is $10-$20 cheaper than all the rest. That said, their warranty has me leaning toward that one. If it craps out I can easily exchange it.
Didn't realize they were in VA, too bad they're not close enough to drive.
Hey better than nothing. Past experience says QC isn't there for these parts, and I feel like there's gotta be a reason this one is $10-$20 cheaper than all the rest. That said, their warranty has me leaning toward that one. If it craps out I can easily exchange it.
They're usually more expensive than rock auto and places like that, but the convenience is nice... Plus warranty.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,406
Likes: 2,744
If $50 would do it at a 'local' NAPA I'd likely pay the price and move on. Maybe the 'last source/vendor' is actually/should/could be your issue! I couldn't resist checking the 'reviews' after it was mentioned 2. One guy it appears knew what he was doing the other I'd say likely NOT!
You could become #3!!!
You could become #3!!!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Mar 14, 2021 at 10:50 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 1,406
From: Mid-Atlantic
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
Shipping costs are beginning to get a bit ridiculous at a lot of these web vendors.
I mean, 8-12 bucks to ship a 17 lb closed system radiator cap?
gtf outta here...
I mean, 8-12 bucks to ship a 17 lb closed system radiator cap?
gtf outta here...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,249
Likes: 545
From: Land of the free, home of the brave...
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,135
Likes: 9,447
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 332
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 1,406
From: Mid-Atlantic
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
NAPA is really the only brick and mortar around here that actually has correct parts in stock most of the time. And competent people working the store.
I won't even walk into an AutoZone or similar type place any more, I have a very low threshold for the wingnuts behind the counter to be honest. By the time I spend twenty minutes walking them through how to look up the right parts, assuming their system is listing the right parts in the first place, I could have been across town at the NAPA where the guy actually knows his store and inventory.
But yeah. They are more expensive. And more often than not, a cheap knockoff part rather than an OEM part, aside from NAPA.
If I need something in a pinch, I'll go over to NAPA. If it's not so much a hurry I'll order an OEM part from a vender who deals in quality parts.
I won't even walk into an AutoZone or similar type place any more, I have a very low threshold for the wingnuts behind the counter to be honest. By the time I spend twenty minutes walking them through how to look up the right parts, assuming their system is listing the right parts in the first place, I could have been across town at the NAPA where the guy actually knows his store and inventory.
But yeah. They are more expensive. And more often than not, a cheap knockoff part rather than an OEM part, aside from NAPA.
If I need something in a pinch, I'll go over to NAPA. If it's not so much a hurry I'll order an OEM part from a vender who deals in quality parts.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,135
Likes: 9,447
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
The key into buying any auto part at a chain store is to do your own homework before you step in the door. Tell them exactly what part number(s) you want Let them find them and buy them and go on your marry way. Most chassis parts, driveline and electrical parts on any year Corvette is shared between millions of other GM cars and trucks. Only go to Corvette vendors for a corvette only soft trim parts.
