Its a very common issue. Theres a sticky that shows how to replace/relocate the sensor.
Lost oil pressure
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 415
From: Erwin, NC
Lost oil pressure
Any ideas? I was getting my car out of the snow and I lost all pressure. Didn't see any leaks.
My cam bolts might have been loose (I thought it was just the sensor), could that cause it if they back out too far?
My cam bolts might have been loose (I thought it was just the sensor), could that cause it if they back out too far?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 415
From: Erwin, NC
When the Oil Pressure Sending Unit fails it most often fail reading very high pressure but there have been a few reports of Zero oil pressure.
Before I would accept that it is the sending unit when it shows ZERO, I would connect up a mechanical unit and crank the engine without starting it watching for pressure to come up. If it doesn't come up assume the worst and go about figuring out what happened. Even a few seconds running without pressure can result in major internal damage.
Before I would accept that it is the sending unit when it shows ZERO, I would connect up a mechanical unit and crank the engine without starting it watching for pressure to come up. If it doesn't come up assume the worst and go about figuring out what happened. Even a few seconds running without pressure can result in major internal damage.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
If you got ticking/clattering from the engine, then you did indeed lose the pressure and you must not run it. I've heard there is a check valve in the oil pump that will cause this but it means disassembling the front of the engine in order to get to it since its under the timing chain. If you got a serious low end knock then you might as well pull the whole engine.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 415
From: Erwin, NC
If you got ticking/clattering from the engine, then you did indeed lose the pressure and you must not run it. I've heard there is a check valve in the oil pump that will cause this but it means disassembling the front of the engine in order to get to it since its under the timing chain. If you got a serious low end knock then you might as well pull the whole engine.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Ok, then does the oil pressure guage sweep full on and back to zero when you turn on the ignition? As already mentioned, usually when the sender fails, it'll go full blast, but there have been a few failures where it went to zero. You really need to do a mechanical oil pressure test which a dealer can do but you need to get it there. Tow it or whatever. You could take a chance which is a cheap chance, replace the sender and try it again. Its certainly cheaper than chancing driving it if the pressure is really gone. I would expect that no oil pressure, the lifters would clatter pretty loudly and fast.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 415
From: Erwin, NC
Ok, then does the oil pressure guage sweep full on and back to zero when you turn on the ignition? As already mentioned, usually when the sender fails, it'll go full blast, but there have been a few failures where it went to zero. You really need to do a mechanical oil pressure test which a dealer can do but you need to get it there. Tow it or whatever. You could take a chance which is a cheap chance, replace the sender and try it again. Its certainly cheaper than chancing driving it if the pressure is really gone. I would expect that no oil pressure, the lifters would clatter pretty loudly and fast.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
No oil pressure would indicate a failed oil pump. Only way to check is with a mechanical gauge or you could pull valve cover and see if oil is coming up to the rockers, A little messy though.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 415
From: Erwin, NC
Yeah. Throwing a mechanical gauge on it tomorrow then parts will start coming off
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 415
From: Erwin, NC
ok. Oil pump clogged and failed. It clogged beause my cam bolts had been backing out. There were metal shavings from the bolts inside the pump and pan. The cam dowel broke off and I found it in the pan. I also found a couple of rubber pieces and a metal piece that I am clueless about.
2 bad lobes on the cam. Multiple bad lifters.
thats where I stopped. Basically gave what was left of the engine to my buddy (with my kooks long tube and ORx) and I'm going to be picking up a TSP 402 soon
2 bad lobes on the cam. Multiple bad lifters.
thats where I stopped. Basically gave what was left of the engine to my buddy (with my kooks long tube and ORx) and I'm going to be picking up a TSP 402 soon
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
I'm suprised you did not get a P0343 code for cam sensor bolts being loose.
Sounds like the cam walked on you some and destroyed your motor.
Oh well, look on the bright side
you're helping to fuel the economy with your new motor purchase.
Good luck with build and hope it turns out to be all you expected.
Sounds like the cam walked on you some and destroyed your motor.
Oh well, look on the bright side
you're helping to fuel the economy with your new motor purchase.Good luck with build and hope it turns out to be all you expected.
ok. Oil pump clogged and failed. It clogged beause my cam bolts had been backing out. There were metal shavings from the bolts inside the pump and pan. The cam dowel broke off and I found it in the pan. I also found a couple of rubber pieces and a metal piece that I am clueless about.
2 bad lobes on the cam. Multiple bad lifters.
thats where I stopped. Basically gave what was left of the engine to my buddy (with my kooks long tube and ORx) and I'm going to be picking up a TSP 402 soon
2 bad lobes on the cam. Multiple bad lifters.
thats where I stopped. Basically gave what was left of the engine to my buddy (with my kooks long tube and ORx) and I'm going to be picking up a TSP 402 soon
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 415
From: Erwin, NC
I'm suprised you did not get a P0343 code for cam sensor bolts being loose.
Sounds like the cam walked on you some and destroyed your motor.
Oh well, look on the bright side you're helping to fuel the economy with your new motor purchase.
Good luck with build and hope it turns out to be all you expected.
Sounds like the cam walked on you some and destroyed your motor.
Oh well, look on the bright side
you're helping to fuel the economy with your new motor purchase.Good luck with build and hope it turns out to be all you expected.
i suppose its good that it happened now. i go back to Iraq on wednesday for 6 months!
