1989 Corvette Pil Pressure Help
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
1989 Corvette Pil Pressure Help
I found a nice looking Corvette I fell in love with on Craigslist 3 months back. Sold my JEEP and bought it, a red hardtop with black leather interior. It's been pretty much my daily driver since I bought it and I haven't had too many issues with it, none which I couldn't fix. When I bought it my oil pressure would be over 20 psi when idling hot. 3000 miles ago I changed the oil with 5W-30 and noticed it had dropped down into the teens and wouldn't read quiet as high on start up and highway driving was now at 45-50. I wanted to switch to Mobil 1 10w30 to try and gain some PSI back but after changing the oil this weekend it is no different, oil pressure now drops as low as 14 at hot idle-40 psi highway driving at 60mph. I do have some oil leaks and I haven't noticed any significant buring of oil enough for me to have to add between 3000 mile oil change intervals. For the first time since owning it I noticed some bluefish smoke at start up today but I haven't noticed any loss in power since buying it. Corvette has 115K on it now. Does this sound like any oil pressure problem or more than likely a sensor? Thanks for any help
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Hard to say but if it were mine, there is a sensor above the oil filter. It is the easiest to access, IMO. It is used by the gauge but so what? It doesn't hurt to remove it for testing. Screw on an oil pressure gauge and see if it is reading right or not. If it is right, you know the sensor or the gauge isn't bad. If it reads wrong, well, you can check that next.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 165
From: Utah
Also blue smoke on startup is a sign that your valve stem seals need to be replaced.
Parts are about $20, but you need to remove the rockers and valve springs.
there are a few videos on YouTube detailing it.
Parts are about $20, but you need to remove the rockers and valve springs.
there are a few videos on YouTube detailing it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
If I am going there, I'd like to do a compression and leak down teat also.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
