Just got the car back from the dealer where I had new shocks & sways installed along with an oil change--cleaned her all up for a drive today and headed out for a nice relaxing ride. I kept looking for the lights to come on for the EBCM module problem I had been having but since I put in a new AGM battery that problem(for some reason) hasn't resurfaced. Anyway, the next thing I see is the oil pressure gauge showing 80 lbs and I know what that means....
And there is NO WAY I can replace that myself...I looked at the unit with a flashlight and could barely see it much less reach it so it looks like the dealer will soak me for another several hundred dollars for this repair.
Also, I tried to lower the suspension after the shock install and R U KIDDING ME??? Those bolts were not moving no matter what I did to them and I tried everything I saw on this forum to make it work. Looks like another job for the dealer and a strain on my bank account.
I used to really like this car but now--not so much. Hey, I realize it's a 14 year old car w/95000 miles on it and things happen but it seems like you fix one thing and 2 more pop up. Much more of this and you'll soon see it on Autotrader for sale...
By the way, I have a 2000 Subaru and a 2000 Toyota both with over 165000 miles on them and I would drive either one of them to Florida in a heartbeat. The Vette? I pretty much doubt it.
End of rant...

 

A C5 doesn't need new shock unless one is leaking, many people go with stock shocks and sways even after 200K. some even more... if you decided to do an upgrade on better shocks and sways ( That's on you, not the car ), the oil change at the dealer is also on you...( its 30 dollars in your driveway ) the car does have issues with the oil sender, a 30 dollar part and an hour for a qualified mechanic, I've replaced one in 45 minutes.
Don't blame the car for your inability, to work on it yourself... Maybe you should sell the C5 and stick with a Subaru or a Toyota. If you think they are more inexpensive to own.
Bill aka ET

 

Hey I'm a nice guy so I am willing to help you out. Send the car and signed title up here to me and you will never have a problem with it again. See I told ya I was nice guy. Heck I'm such a good dude I'll even come and pick it up.Mike

 

You OPS is an easy fix. search the forum. Many threads on this

 

I think your suggestion is from the heart and meant to encourage. How ever, anyone who does not change their own oil ( about as simple as it gets ) would never tackle a Oil sender.. this means no disrespect to the OP.. not everyone is mechanically incline... The C5 is a very easy car to work on, even if you have very modest technical skills, but not all people have them either.
a Car that is 16 years old with almost 100K will have some problem. . An oil change is not a problem, its basic maintenance,,, sway bars can last the life of the car, GM stock shocks are very well made and can last a very long time. 200 K easy. Un less on leaks, which can happen to any car.
So the only real issue is a 25 dollar part and the cost to put it in.

 

The car doesn't really need to be lowered, that's simply a personal preference and after 14 years, the nuts on the bolts to lower the car can get rusty or just stuck. As for the OPS, yes they are a problem on the C5 and if you can't do it yourself, it will cost a bit to have a mechanic do it for you. Sorry you're having the problems, but those are relatively minor things that comes with an older car.

 

I sure wouldn't spend $$$ to lower the car. Especially if it is going to be a problem. Spend your $$$ fixing other problems

 

just relocate the oil pressure sensor...if you are gonna do it....relo it

 

So you have never had a problem with your Subaru or Toyota?

 

ET I agree. As for an oil change well I didn't want the hassle of getting rid of my own oil when I lived in a big city. Now I use my old oil for other things.
Yea relocating is the best idea. Thanks pewter99

 

Many places that sell oil recycle it. Here the city uses it to heat the maintenance buildings. Getting rid of it is not a big deal.

 

I'd rather pay for an oil change. The extra change I spend on the labor is worth it than having to deal with deposing of the oil. Lowered car + 55th birthday = Instant oil change.

That being said the C5 is pretty easy to work on. I do have a bit of a mechanic background and have replaced my springs shocks and sway bars at home. Sorry you're having problems with your vette but I hope you didn't buy it thinking it would be economical. Gas mileage yes parts and service no.

 

Every shop that changes oil aroun. here will take old oil. Pep boys many independent shop have a waste oil heating system to lkee their shop warm in the winter, the drain oil cost them nothing and are always willing to take used oil. I have one performance shop around here that has a tank for used oil. He calls a guy and he comes and pumps the oil out of his tank and pays him fore the old oil. ( he will take as much oil as I can give him.)

 

I don't trust quick oil change places. One forgot to replace drain plug in rear end of my pick up. Noticed a trail of gear oil when I got home. Another time they did not tighten the filter and there was oil all over everything. They also missed a grease fitting everytime leading to a worn out ball joint. 62 and I change oil in all my vehicles.

 

I never had to replace mine but here is a DIY video on youtube showing how someone removed their oil pressure sender without removing their intake manifold:
Relocation kit: http://www.dpecorvettes.com/gpage7.html

 

I'm fairly proficient with do it yourself repairs-- I did a whole brake job on my Vette jacked up in the driveway for the first time ever and replaced the timing chain on my Rav, alternator on my Sub, plugs, wires, coil packs on my wifes Volkswagen, many addons & repairs on my HD Sportster etc...
I do all of the oil changes on my other vehicles and the main reason I get the dealer to do it is they only charge me 12.50 to change it when they do the annual inspection--more than worth it to me. It just seems that lately it is one thing after another and yes, older cars of any kind can and will have problems but I would like just one weekend of carefree cruising in my Corvette without something giving me some heartburn--I get plenty of that during the week at work and look forward to the "joy" that I expect out of my sports car. Especially since I give her such loving care each & every day of owning her--Is that too much to ask? And as far as the shocks go, I was really hoping that she wasn't going to be raised so high, especially in the front( went from 26-3/4" to 28" at the fender ) so it's just something else that has to be addressed. I will say that the handling is much improved but like Bill says "everything is a trade-off". I'll settle down after a while and will do what has to be done but D**m--it would be nice to catch a break once in a while.

 

I have seen this before and considered it but after looking at the unit in ernest this afternoon there is NO WAY to do mine like this. Only removing the intake or cutting the cowl (or paying the dealer) will fix this problem. But thanks anyway.

 

That was pretty darn quick!!

 

Doing that oil pressure sending unit is very rudimentary. Pulling the intake manifold takes minutes. It's truly no big deal.

 

Drive a Toyota. You'll never stop...........