Well, I took my 2002 with just over 100K out for my usual and much looked forward to Sat afternoon cruise. It was a beautiful fall day here in Va. and I had just shined her up prior to the drive as always and pulled out of the driveway with a smile on my face. AAhhhhh, it doesn't get much better that this...sun shining down, good music playing on the radio, the rumble of the Billy Boat Bullets behind me and everything fixed on my Vette, --- or so I thought.
Over the sound of a favorite Blood, Sweat & Tears song came a familiar "dinging" noise--Nah, it couldn't be what I thought it was. I had just recently repaired the EBCM through ABSfixer and had also recently replaced the OPS so what else could it be? All of a sudden on the DIC it read "Service Engine Soon" ---but I just had the dealer replace the plugs/wires and a fresh oil change so what is she trying to tell me now?
Then I saw it--- "LOW OIL PRESSURE"!!! NO-NOT NOW!?
It took a couple of minutes until I found a safe place to pull over and sit there with my head hanging down in dis-belief --- Why can't I just enjoy a couple of hours of driving her w/o any of this bull****?
The OPS & heads up display showed 0 pressure and after checking for leaks(none) and the level (about a half qt low-which is unusual as she never used any before) I went ahead and started her again and the gauge slowly rose back up to about 35lbs and I went back aways to an AUTOZONE, bought a qt of Mobil one and topped off the oil.
Holding my breath I fired her up again and all seemed fine...for a little while, as after about 5 miles there goes all the bells & whistles again. This time I pull right over and stop once again. Now I'm only about 3-4 miles from home and while I know what no oil pressure will do to any engine I take my chances and gently drive her to her resting place in the driveway. WHEWWW!
The temp never rose at all and there were no sounds of engine parts hitting the highway or lifters trying to escape from under the hood so hopefully another OPS swap( I went the "cut the cowl method" the last time) will fix this sphincter tightening episode.
I will say that the last time I replaced the OPS it had pegged @ 80 so it was a no brainer what the problem was. This time it was going a little crazy, kinda bouncing around before crashing to 0.
Has anyone gone thru this lately and what was your outcome?
I have to say one thing: I have a 2000 Subaru Outback and a 2000 Toyota Rav4, both with over 175000 miles and driven daily w/o even a hiccup- but I can't get in my $50000.00 GM car and drive across town without wondering if I'll make it back. We all (or most of us) love our machines and treat them with great care ( I don't track mine--purely a recreational vehicle) but lately my love affair with mine is starting to dwindle and I'm starting to have some regrets about selling my Harley in favor of driving my Vette instead. They say that "love is blind" and in my case "robbing me blind" is a better way of putting it.

 

Might just be ops , failure usually pins the pressure on gauge and oil display but it may be starting to fail

 

Your paying for the fun factor .. You know you had way more fun in the Corvette when its running right .. I have 225,000 miles in an old Audi and it still looks good and runs great but if I want to go have some fun and get the looks and wow factor I get in my 04 Z-16 500Hp ( if not on jack stands ) LOL.. Its just the way it is deal with it or not..

 

OP, in my experience, if the lifters weren't clattering, you had oil pressure. So, you should be OK, and probably just the OP sensor going bad.

 

I agree that the fun factor is off the charts when running well but it has been more parked than running with all the down time lately.

 

IMO the fact that you're posting this means it's maybe time to move on. Either that or daily drive it.

 

I'm hoping that's the case. I already ordered a brass one from Rockauto to replace the Delco that is in there now. I'll let you all know the outcome this coming weekend. Thanks.

 

Just kinda venting some frustration--I have 4 other cars to drive instead so it's not convenient to drive it daily where it's parked (and covered).

 

Its frustrating. When you want to relax and cruise, being paranoid just sorta ruins it. Hopefully just the sensor and good times after that.

 

Sorry to hear of your predicament. I can relate to the concept of not enjoying the ride due to wondering if something will go wrong. Fortunately that is not the case with my Vette. Hopefully you get it sorted out.

I did a 1500 mile trip in June and the only worry was driving in a downpour while in the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee. The only thing my car needed was gas for the entire trip. It currently sits with over 270k miles on it.

 

Hopefully it is just a bad OPS and since you have done the easy access mod, it will be a quick fix.

 

 

That's awesome--hopefully after a while I can get mine to that point.

 

Is there anyway to tell if it is the oil pump besides installing a mech OPS?

 

Did the "CHECK GAUGE" light ever come on at all while you were driving the car? Because hopefully, it's the oil pressure sensor (OPS) unit that is not working properly. Also, most of us know that this ***** is a royally big big pain to get to on this engine if some of us got the relocation kit.

 

I believe I did see the "check gauge" light come on the heads up display. I usually just have the speed shown but after the initial pressure issue I changed it to show the oil pressure as well. That's when I saw the "check gauge" but I just thought it meant to look at it for the problem that was occurring. Thanks for the reply though--and as stated before- I already have an opening cut in the cowl when I replaced the last one that went bad with an aluminum OEM Delco unit. So much for OEM parts. I have a brass one from Standard Parts coming from Rockauto and plan on installing it this weekend. I'll let everyone know the outcome. I just pray no damage was done if the oil pump is shot. I didn't hear anything different limping her home...We'll see.

 

good luck are you near me? I live in Arlington. i would like to see the oil pressure sensor swap. thanks bob

 

I'm in Roanoke but I might be able to take a few pics when I change it.


It's actually quite easy w/the right tools. ( a dremel tool helps alot )

 

There are several videos on Youtube showing the swap.

 

Experience talking from an old man that's been where you are.
Sell it and buy yourself another Harley or another car. Once you become afraid of it breaking it seems to break every time you get in it and you won't use it as much.
It happens.
It's happened to me and I am speaking from experience.
Good luck!