C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Oil temperature sensor?

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Old Feb 26, 2017 | 04:00 PM
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Default Oil temperature sensor?

It looks like i have a bad oil temperature sensor on my 84.

My temp gauge is maxed at over 300f.

I'm also planning on replacing the plug as i know insulation is also crap, last year i made a quick repair using some shrink tubing, so it's time to repair it correctly...

Current sensor is right above my oil filter, and it has a single flat spade connector.

Question is, is there a better/newer type i can use?

(The factory replacement is about $100...)
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Old Feb 26, 2017 | 04:31 PM
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http://www.partsgeek.com/bp4wq9q-che...Fca3wAodzXMCSg

One that is a bit cheaper.

No, there is really not a big difference in the sensors. Just get a factory one and be done with it.
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Old Feb 26, 2017 | 07:14 PM
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I think that first you use the diagnostics to confirm the error is the sender or is it maybe the gauge. All the specifications are in the FSM. An alternative is very unlikely.
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Old Feb 26, 2017 | 08:06 PM
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Thanks, and the sensor is puking oil all over the place, I'm pretty sure it's dead.

I'll order one for good measure, then confirm the sensor is dead before installing the new one.
​​​​​​​
I'm also curious where the oil is getting through...
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Old Feb 27, 2017 | 07:32 AM
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keep us updated.. normal should be around 190 to 200 degrees
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 07:52 PM
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I replaced the sensor over the weekend, and discovered my heater bypass valve had a serious leak, so that got replaced a few minutes ago...

Warmed the car up and confirmed the oil temperature gauge works great!

I ended up getting one from autozone, they had the best price.
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Gibbles
I ended up getting one from autozone, they had the best price.
Funny, I often find that as well.
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Old Mar 8, 2017 | 10:11 PM
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Rock auto had one listed for 65 bucks, that's the cheapest i found, most are 100 bucks.

I will test mine per the fsm when i have some time off, more than likely it's got to be replaced.

Since replacing the water pump the oil temp still gets up to 250 degrees which i don't think is normal. Coolant shows no more than 198 tops !

So my oil temp reads between 40 and 55 degrees above coolant temp. It never went this high UNLESS the coolant was just as hot due to the fan not coming on.
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Old Mar 9, 2017 | 06:39 AM
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Yesterday for my short little drive, the oil temp never went past 200, in the past the gauge would only start reading after 200.

And autozone was less than $60!

I also looked at different brands, i found that autozones sensor was made by the better of the two brands i found, one being silver in color and the echlin part being brass.

Autozone showed their internal ref started with ech-.
part of my reasoning that it was the best deal, the silver brand i had not heard of...
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Old Jun 7, 2017 | 01:04 PM
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I just replaced the sensor on my L98-equipped '86.


My oil temp has run 20-30degrees above coolant temp but I presumed that is normal since I have a early-built car w/ iron heads and no oil cooler. Any thoughts/experience on whether the higher oil temps are standard-issue?




Jonathan.....


BTW I switched to Mobil1 Full Synthetic soon as I got the car and have added 16,000miles in under 18months.
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Old Jun 7, 2017 | 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by JWMorrisey
I just replaced the sensor on my L98-equipped '86.


My oil temp has run 20-30degrees above coolant temp but I presumed that is normal since I have a early-built car w/ iron heads and no oil cooler. Any thoughts/experience on whether the higher oil temps are standard-issue?




Jonathan.....


BTW I switched to Mobil1 Full Synthetic soon as I got the car and have added 16,000miles in under 18months.
From what i've read 20 to 30 above coolant temp is normal. Mine was just about 60 to 65 above coolnat temp which is how i knew something wasn't right. Mine is an 84 early production with z51 suspension and no external oil cooler, i will be adding one soon.
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Old Jun 7, 2017 | 01:33 PM
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my 84 with aluminum heads still runs pretty warm.

on a hot day and engine temps around 190, my oil can still hit 250f if I'm driving hard and holding over 3k RPM.

I confirmed it's well with in the safe range for my oil. (VR1)
I may add an oil cooler down the road...

Also my oil temp will hold right around 210-220f with engine temps down at 180f, if I'm just cruising at low rpm.
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Old Jun 7, 2017 | 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by JWMorrisey
I just replaced the sensor on my L98-equipped '86.

My oil temp has run 20-30degrees above coolant temp but I presumed that is normal since I have a early-built car w/ iron heads and no oil cooler. Any thoughts/experience on whether the higher oil temps are standard-issue?

BTW I switched to Mobil1 Full Synthetic soon as I got the car and have added 16,000miles in under 18months.
It is normal for the oil temp to stabilize above the coolant temperatures if the stat is open (opens at 195F). So cruising around, seeing 210-220 on the oil would not alarm me. These cars do run warm.

Synthetic wouldn't make the difference in the oil temps, but it is better for the engine.
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Old Jun 7, 2017 | 10:26 PM
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My 94 coupe runs at 186-190 coolant, hiway ,204-210 oil hiway, traffic at -25 mph coolant 205-216, oil 215-218 cools back down after a mile or so at 48 mph+. 60 degrees higher seems like alot, my oil temp drops slowly when coolant drops after getting hot (212 coolant).

Last edited by A Peter C4; Jun 7, 2017 at 10:29 PM.
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