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

oil pressure gauge

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 12, 2020 | 09:09 PM
  #1  
My first C4's Avatar
My first C4
Thread Starter
1st Gear
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default oil pressure gauge

At low speeds my oil pressure gauge moves around excessively,but when I get up to speed it pegs off the scale . Any ideas why ? And no there is not too much oil in the motor . Oil level on the dipstick is right it should be.

Last edited by My first C4; Oct 12, 2020 at 09:11 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2020 | 10:44 PM
  #2  
jv9999's Avatar
jv9999
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 380
From: Lunenburg MA
Default

Loose connection or bad sender most likely.
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2020 | 12:41 PM
  #3  
ctmccloskey's Avatar
ctmccloskey
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 1,628
From: Fairfax Virginia
Default

Welcome to the Corvette Forum, "My first C4"!!

For us to help you we need to have some base information.The year or your Corvette and body style and any other pertinent information. This is to help others diagnose your "Issue of whether the oil pressure was too Low at lowerengine speeds". The more information you put out there the more detailed solutions can be found. Is it a L98 or the LT1 version? Mileage of vehicle, manual transmission, 4+3 or 6 speed or Automatic 700R4, rear end ratio, any options

As jv9999 mentioned it could be a "loose connection or bad sender most likely". That is frequently what causes the problem. A lot of older higher mileage engines do what you are describing as they do make lower oil pressures at idle speed than they did new. I have seen engines where they sped up the idle to make the extra oil pressure on the engines, otherwise at idle you would get a low oil pressure reading. I have seen lots of vehicles that tickle the oil pressure switch making the low oil light trigger but they frequently have high mileage

It might be as simple as a oil change with the High Mileage Synthetic oil. That is one of the first things I do when I buy a vehicle is Oil Change

Last edited by ctmccloskey; Oct 13, 2020 at 12:43 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2020 | 04:31 PM
  #4  
CarLover014's Avatar
CarLover014
Advanced
 
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 55
Likes: 7
From: Toms River, NJ
Default

Originally Posted by jv9999
Loose connection or bad sender most likely.

Since you said the gauge is "pegged", I assume you have a 1990-96, since the oil pressure gauge was analog. The L98 (90-91) and LT1 (92-96) used the same oil pressure sender.

I'd first check the connection. It's attached to a "T" at the rear of the intake (on both engines.) The taller sensor is the oil pressure sender. If that seems OK, then I'd go and replace the sender. They can leak if they go bad, and from personal experience, can get pretty messy.

Here's a how-to guide to replacing the sensor - https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ding-unit.html
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2020 | 12:37 PM
  #5  
ctmccloskey's Avatar
ctmccloskey
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,724
Likes: 1,628
From: Fairfax Virginia
Default

When in doubt, verify. I have a small kit I bought at harbor freight that measures Oil Pressure and has every known attachment with it so you can use it with whatever kind of engine you have. I have hooked it up to verify that the gauge was correct on a Corvette. Very handy tool to have in your box.

Don't forget that a lot of oil pressure senders are just for on/off idiot lights. They also make sensors that work with a gauge showing pressure. The two types of sending units are the same on the outside but do completely different jobs. I had a Boat with a Chrysler engine and they could not understand that I had a gauge and not just an idiot light.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To oil pressure gauge





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:55 PM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE