Oil Sensor Access
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: sarasota florida
Oil Sensor Access
After all the discussion on how to replace the oil pressure sensor on my C5, I’m still not sure which way to go. There was mention of cutting a hole in the cowl to reach the sensor and apply the proper torque. Is that hole cut in the plenum in the engine compartment above the sensor location? If so, this sounds like a way to go for me. Could anyone be more specific on this method of access to the sensor?Any input or advice is appreciated.
Sarasota Chuck
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 82
From: New Market AL
I don't know why so many people resist pulling the intake manifold. You can have the intake off in 20 minutes or less - at least after you've pulled one a time or 12...
With that being said, I've cut the cowl on 2 cars in order to replace the oil sending unit, but that was before I realized how easy it is to pull the intake. Access from the top starts with pulling the windshield wipers, remove the cowl cover under the wipers, then locate the point directly above the oil sending unit and cut out an access hole big enough to fit your socket wrench into & part of your hand. Do not over tighten the sending unit.
Here is where I cut my cowl 4 years ago. The replacement sensor is still working over 100k miles later...
With that being said, I've cut the cowl on 2 cars in order to replace the oil sending unit, but that was before I realized how easy it is to pull the intake. Access from the top starts with pulling the windshield wipers, remove the cowl cover under the wipers, then locate the point directly above the oil sending unit and cut out an access hole big enough to fit your socket wrench into & part of your hand. Do not over tighten the sending unit.
Here is where I cut my cowl 4 years ago. The replacement sensor is still working over 100k miles later...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,494
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
After all the discussion on how to replace the oil pressure sensor on my C5, I’m still not sure which way to go. There was mention of cutting a hole in the cowl to reach the sensor and apply the proper torque. Is that hole cut in the plenum in the engine compartment above the sensor location? If so, this sounds like a way to go for me. Could anyone be more specific on this method of access to the sensor?Any input or advice is appreciated.
Sarasota Chuck
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
All you will ever need to know, about replacing or relocating an oil pressure sensor, can be found in the link below.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-relocate.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-relocate.html
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,494
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
All you will ever need to know, about replacing or relocating an oil pressure sensor, can be found in the link below.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-relocate.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-relocate.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-terrible.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
Before cutting the hole in the cowl, take something like an old license plate or similar and slide it between the cowl and the wiring/tubing that is under the cowl to protect them from being nicked by the blade.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs Fl
Must be an echo in here. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I'm sure that you already know my feelings about cutting a hole blindly to replace an oil pressure sensor.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 63
Likes: 6
just a hole
Could the proponents of the hole cutting theory please tell me how they manage to pull off the electric connector through that hole?
I had to enlarge the hole, and even so it was an act of acrobatics to get a screwdriver and pliers in there to get that damn connector off, with the vacuum hose leaving no space to grab it properly. Or is that just another difference of my 98's routing? Oh did I mention I removed the wiper motor assembly to even have a chance of cutting a big enough hole (with a dremel)? The one thing that didn't matter at all was the concern about cutting some wires. No wires leaning against the firewall in my car. Also I have no qualms cutting a hole into some plastic you don't see, and yes it isn't hard to seal it back up.
I had to enlarge the hole, and even so it was an act of acrobatics to get a screwdriver and pliers in there to get that damn connector off, with the vacuum hose leaving no space to grab it properly. Or is that just another difference of my 98's routing? Oh did I mention I removed the wiper motor assembly to even have a chance of cutting a big enough hole (with a dremel)? The one thing that didn't matter at all was the concern about cutting some wires. No wires leaning against the firewall in my car. Also I have no qualms cutting a hole into some plastic you don't see, and yes it isn't hard to seal it back up.
