Oil Leaak
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 750
Likes: 86
From: St Petersburg
Oil Leaak
I have an oil leak. we had the car up on a lift yesterday. the mechanic said it's possible it's leaking from the oil pressure switch is what he called it is that the correct part name?
it's right above the Oil filter and the filter and that area has oil
89 convertible 6 speed
I have to re fill oil every 2 weeks or so to top it off 1/2 quart
it's right above the Oil filter and the filter and that area has oil
89 convertible 6 speed
I have to re fill oil every 2 weeks or so to top it off 1/2 quart
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
That's a significant leak if you're topping off as you say. Could be the gasket behind the oil pressure switch or something above it such as the oil pan gasket. Make sure all items/bolts are tight, wipe down and test drive before inspecting again.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
The oil pressure switch is a famous leaker and I would save my money change that the oil pressure sender and then have them clean your engine for you. That is a lot of money to clean an engine.
I don't like changing oil pan seals with cars on the ground. I have done it on a C3 but not my C4. I will say just one thing regarding oil seals, If it ain't broke, don't fix it....
Best regards,
Chris
I don't like changing oil pan seals with cars on the ground. I have done it on a C3 but not my C4. I will say just one thing regarding oil seals, If it ain't broke, don't fix it....
Best regards,
Chris
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 46
Likes: 9
From: Charleston Illinois
oil switch leak: what it looks like (in moving pictures)
Hi Bill_
I had a *big* oil pressure switch leak on my 1987 convertible earlier this year.
I got up over the top of the rear of the engine and shot some video of the leak. Here's what an oil switch leak might look like:
<https://youtu.be/hk5rbbSQ5-I>
Hope this helps. I'm not sure how similar yours is to a 1987, but I expect they might be pretty similar.
- Mark B.
I had a *big* oil pressure switch leak on my 1987 convertible earlier this year.
I got up over the top of the rear of the engine and shot some video of the leak. Here's what an oil switch leak might look like:
Hope this helps. I'm not sure how similar yours is to a 1987, but I expect they might be pretty similar.
- Mark B.
Last edited by m257876; Dec 15, 2019 at 10:45 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
I would suggest replacing the valve cover gaskets first. Chances are they probably need replacing after all these years! It is also a good time to re-paint the valve covers if needed.
Last edited by ctmccloskey; Dec 17, 2019 at 11:47 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 750
Likes: 86
From: St Petersburg
Hi Bill_
I had a *big* oil pressure switch leak on my 1987 convertible earlier this year.
I got up over the top of the rear of the engine and shot some video of the leak. Here's what an oil switch leak might look like:
https://youtu.be/hk5rbbSQ5-I
<https://youtu.be/hk5rbbSQ5-I>
Hope this helps. I'm not sure how similar yours is to a 1987, but I expect they might be pretty similar.
- Mark B.
I had a *big* oil pressure switch leak on my 1987 convertible earlier this year.
I got up over the top of the rear of the engine and shot some video of the leak. Here's what an oil switch leak might look like:
https://youtu.be/hk5rbbSQ5-I
<https://youtu.be/hk5rbbSQ5-I>
Hope this helps. I'm not sure how similar yours is to a 1987, but I expect they might be pretty similar.
- Mark B.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,759
Likes: 1,647
From: Fairfax Virginia
Hello BillDurant! A Happy 2020 to you Sir!
According to the ZIP Products catalog there are in fact 2 oil "pressure" devices on your 1989 Corvette with its six speed.
One is a "Oil pressure Sender" (which operates the gauge) and the other is called a "Oil Pressure Indicator Sensor" which is designed to protect the engine from low oil pressure situations. There is a third device for the oil system and that is the "Oil Temperature Sensor" and those are expensive at $130 for the early C4's.
The oil pressure parts are $23 and $24 dollars each at ZIP Products.
Good Luck getting the leak stopped so you can enjoy your Corvette in 2020!
Best regards,
Chris
According to the ZIP Products catalog there are in fact 2 oil "pressure" devices on your 1989 Corvette with its six speed.
One is a "Oil pressure Sender" (which operates the gauge) and the other is called a "Oil Pressure Indicator Sensor" which is designed to protect the engine from low oil pressure situations. There is a third device for the oil system and that is the "Oil Temperature Sensor" and those are expensive at $130 for the early C4's.
The oil pressure parts are $23 and $24 dollars each at ZIP Products.
Good Luck getting the leak stopped so you can enjoy your Corvette in 2020!
Best regards,
Chris
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 46
Likes: 9
From: Charleston Illinois
<<is there a difference between an oil pressure sender and oil pressure switch?>>
Hi Bill - my factory manual says that the oil pressure switch is part of a backup system for the fuel pump electrical circuit, in case the fuel pump relay goes bad. If the fuel pump relay goes bad for some reason, the oil pressure switch will "close" when oil pressure is at or above 4 psi, and this allows the fuel pump to operate and the car will still run.
I *think* the oil pressure sender is used to provide oil pressure data to the dashboard display, but I can't remember for sure.
But - YES, these are 2 different components - oil pressure sender VS oil pressure switch - at least on my 1987 model they are. For 1987, neither of these components is connected to the ECM (Electronic Control Module).
Both are visible in my video - the sender is to the left (toward the front of the car) of the switch and a little below it. Actually, when the oil pressure switch is spewing oil, the oil stream is getting oil all over the oil pressure sender.
I will yield to the 1989 experts, in case there were changes from 1987 to 1989 re: the fuel circuit design and/or oil pressure sender functionality.
Hope this helps,
Mark
Hi Bill - my factory manual says that the oil pressure switch is part of a backup system for the fuel pump electrical circuit, in case the fuel pump relay goes bad. If the fuel pump relay goes bad for some reason, the oil pressure switch will "close" when oil pressure is at or above 4 psi, and this allows the fuel pump to operate and the car will still run.
I *think* the oil pressure sender is used to provide oil pressure data to the dashboard display, but I can't remember for sure.
But - YES, these are 2 different components - oil pressure sender VS oil pressure switch - at least on my 1987 model they are. For 1987, neither of these components is connected to the ECM (Electronic Control Module).
Both are visible in my video - the sender is to the left (toward the front of the car) of the switch and a little below it. Actually, when the oil pressure switch is spewing oil, the oil stream is getting oil all over the oil pressure sender.
I will yield to the 1989 experts, in case there were changes from 1987 to 1989 re: the fuel circuit design and/or oil pressure sender functionality.
Hope this helps,
Mark
Last edited by m257876; Jan 12, 2020 at 06:32 PM.