Accessing oil sender through wiper tray
02-15-2018, 11:07 PM
#102
Safety Car
If you do remove it, you'll get a little bit of fuel but not a lot. Similar to replacing a fuel filter.
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chasboy (02-15-2018)
03-13-2018, 10:08 PM
#103
Drifting
It goes against my grain too, but cutting the hole and fabricating a removable "door" for my opening is what I decided on for me.
• First of all the "right way" makes no sense to remove so many bolts and connections just to perform this procedure - it opens up the possibility of creating other vacuum leaks, etc. just to perform what "should have been" a simple task.
• Since the OPS is a well documented "weak link" and prone to failing, it is very likely that the procedure may have to be repeated in the future.
• Coming in from the top directly make the procedure more reliable since you can easily reach, replace and torque everything as well as check for leaks.
Even doing the "relocation" procedure adds more potential leak locations.
The last time I replaced mine, two years later, mine developed a small leak (not reflected on the gauge). At first I thought it might be a main seal
, but there was just a drop or two of oil on the floor every so often. I finally pulled the cowl, opened that door I made, and sure enough there was just a small amount of oil around the base of the OPS (even though it had been torqued to spec 2 years earlier). Quickly re-torqued, no problem since. If it fails again - 15 minutes to swap.
The "right way" would have been for GM to use a more reliable sensor in the first place AND put it in a location that could have been serviced without removing the top half of the engine instead of using a cheaply constructed sensor and then designing the whole car around it!
I REALLY did not want to cut my cowl, but it just made more logical sense in this case to me. If I really thought it might be a one-time thing, may have gone another route, but I am on my 3rd sensor.
• First of all the "right way" makes no sense to remove so many bolts and connections just to perform this procedure - it opens up the possibility of creating other vacuum leaks, etc. just to perform what "should have been" a simple task.
• Since the OPS is a well documented "weak link" and prone to failing, it is very likely that the procedure may have to be repeated in the future.
• Coming in from the top directly make the procedure more reliable since you can easily reach, replace and torque everything as well as check for leaks.
Even doing the "relocation" procedure adds more potential leak locations.
The last time I replaced mine, two years later, mine developed a small leak (not reflected on the gauge). At first I thought it might be a main seal
, but there was just a drop or two of oil on the floor every so often. I finally pulled the cowl, opened that door I made, and sure enough there was just a small amount of oil around the base of the OPS (even though it had been torqued to spec 2 years earlier). Quickly re-torqued, no problem since. If it fails again - 15 minutes to swap.The "right way" would have been for GM to use a more reliable sensor in the first place AND put it in a location that could have been serviced without removing the top half of the engine instead of using a cheaply constructed sensor and then designing the whole car around it!
I REALLY did not want to cut my cowl, but it just made more logical sense in this case to me. If I really thought it might be a one-time thing, may have gone another route, but I am on my 3rd sensor.
03-14-2018, 07:18 AM
#104
Instructor
I fastened the piece that was removed in place with Gorilla Tape. Years later, it is still doing the job. I feel absolutely no guilt for cutting the access door that should have been provided by Chevrolet when they designed the car.
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ArmchairArchitect (03-15-2018)
03-14-2018, 09:10 AM
#105
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Funny to see that 3y later my thread still has life! For what its worth - the oil pressure sender is still working fine (as he curses himself - to come home to a pegged gauge!)
03-14-2018, 09:31 AM
#106
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Aug 2009
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Get to it the proper way, and then add a relocation kit...problem solved. I was going to cut into it and my mechanic scolded me lol.
03-14-2018, 09:50 AM
#107
Le Mans Master
We have determined that some people would only fix it the dealer way and some would do it their way. Either way works.
03-14-2018, 10:07 AM
#108
Le Mans Master
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03-14-2018, 10:28 AM
#109
Le Mans Master
That was a little tongue and cheek. I did major upgrades last year and was in need of a new pressure unit and was going to cut into it and make an access panel. My mechanic who I do track with would have none of it and said he would do it the proper way...who am I to argue!? lol
03-14-2018, 04:44 PM
#111
When I had my first C5 (98 coupe) I was faced with replacing the oil pressure sending switch. I thought it over ,should I remove the intake?, should I use the other method and try to get around the intake with a universal on the socket as shown in the video?, or should I cut a opening and create an access doort? Here are my thoughts; If I removed the intake and replaced the oil pressure sending switch ,reassembled and had the switch defective or leaking I wouldn't be able to readily see it. Going by the video didn't appeal to me because it's difficult to start the new switch straight (remember ,aluminum block) and it's impossible to torque. I ended up cutting an opening which is what GM should have done in the first place and luckily I did because when I removed the old switch I discovered that it was replaced before and the threads in the block where cross threaded. Luckily I have access to CNC equipment. I fabricated a chasser and a guide to keep it straight (1ft long total) ,then ran a tap in the hole. worked out well . I think if I need to replace one in my 2004 ,I'll have my tech do it!
Last edited by garllo; 03-14-2018 at 04:47 PM.
03-14-2018, 07:28 PM
#112
I don't get it. The forum is full of mods that people do to their cars and most get raving reviews. Here is a person using his ingenuity to make the oil sender easier to remove for him and he gets trashed by some for doing it. If my sender unit ever needs replacing, I will consider doing what jjc did. The only change would be to design a “door” access for any future replacements.
03-15-2018, 02:36 AM
#113
Night Owl for life
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03-15-2018, 06:37 PM
#114
Le Mans Master
As to not relocating the OPS.........I had three brand new OPS fail in the original location in less than a year after replacing the original.
Once I relocated the OPS, no more failures after several years of almost daily use.
Once I relocated the OPS, no more failures after several years of almost daily use.
