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Changing the Oil Pressure Sensor

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Old Apr 12, 2017 | 10:51 PM
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Default Changing the Oil Pressure Sensor

Hello fellow Corvette lovers. I wanted to let everyone know how I ended up changing my C5 Corvette oil pressure sensor which was a lot easier than the procedure in the Service Manual. The SM says to remove the intake manifold which would be a real pain to just change a sensor. For those who do not know, the pressure sensor is located in the rear top of the engine under the windshield wiper motor plastic housing. I decided the easiest way to change the sensor was to remove the windshield wipers, remove the top cover and cut an access section out of the bottom of the housing using my dremel tool. I cut a 3 inch by 6 inch section directly above the sensor and it was really easy to access the sensor and remove it. The access area that was cut will be covered up when the wiper motor cover is put back on so now I have a easy way to replace the sensor without much effort. The engineers at Chevrolet should have designed this in but then I remembered that the dealership service department charges by the hour so the longer it takes the more they make. Hope this will help others and I will try and post pics tomorrow.
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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 09:30 AM
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The butchering the cowl technique has been posted many times, your far from the first to do it, lots of threads on it
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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 09:47 AM
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in my opinion the cowl is part of the structural integrity of the car !!!!!
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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by feeder82
The butchering the cowl technique has been posted many times, your far from the first to do it, lots of threads on it
Just wonder if using the word butchering also applies to the 'zillions' of mods the C5 owners do that include wings,screens, lowering, paint stripes, headlights, etc. Just asking.
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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by rrwirsi
Just wonder if using the word butchering also applies to the 'zillions' of mods the C5 owners do that include wings,screens, lowering, paint stripes, headlights, etc. Just asking.
I think it's accurately used in this context because it is referring to taking a short cut rather than doing the job properly. I recently had to replace my windshield wipers motor and oil pressure sensor. Even with the cowl and wiper arms off, I still chose to remove the intake and do the repair properly.

It provides an opportunity to clean and inspect under the manifold and replace old evap lines and manifold gaskets. I don't see the cutting method as being a huge time save once you factor in the struggle of getting the connections on and off the sensor.

I don't think an owner's modifications is "butchering" the car, so long as things are done properly. Any modification or repair that cuts corners when the "trade off" is so minimal should be discouraged. It would be like a mechanic cutting a hole in the undertray to get to an oil filter. Yes it saves time, but isn't the way to do it.

Adam
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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by rrwirsi
Just wonder if using the word butchering also applies to the 'zillions' of mods the C5 owners do that include wings,screens, lowering, paint stripes, headlights, etc. Just asking.
since you asked no, it refers to cutting a hole in the cowl to replace a part. Its really not that hard to pull the intake and replace the sensor

Last edited by feeder82; Apr 13, 2017 at 02:31 PM.
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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 04:01 PM
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.

I don't think an owner's modifications is "butchering" the car, so long as things are done properly. Any modification or repair that cuts corners when the "trade off" is so minimal should be discouraged. It would be like a mechanic cutting a hole in the undertray to get to an oil filter. Yes it saves time, but isn't the way to do it.

Adam[/QUOTE]

Without seeing how it was done and the final result, just do not agree with the butchering comment. But now it is time for my daily stipend of beer. Cheers.
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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 08:50 PM
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Thanks for sharing, I believe most people already know about that option but I am getting ready to change my sensor and I see this as a good opportunity to get in there and clean up the motor a bit... Also, will be replacing manifold gaskets as well.
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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 09:54 PM
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I still don't get this hack or why people are proud of the time savings. The intake on a LS motor is easy to remove and re-install. I can get the intake off in a similar time to removing the wipers and cowl cover. And yes, needlessly chopping a hole in the car is what I call a hack or butchering the car.

Last edited by lionelhutz; Apr 13, 2017 at 10:02 PM.
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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 10:04 PM
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Many videos on the subject on YouTube. Here's one where you don't have to cut off anything:

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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 10:16 PM
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I don't get why people don't want to pull the intake. I just changed mine today, took me a grand total of 10 minutes to get the intake off.
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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 10:18 PM
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Anyone have a good video of intake removal?
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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by JC316
I don't get why people don't want to pull the intake. I just changed mine today, took me a grand total of 10 minutes to get the intake off.
You should post a vid on how to properly remove and replace an intake on a C5. If people see how easy it is, perhaps they will do it the correct way.

I never done one before and would be interested in it.
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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 10:24 PM
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I made this one when I changed the knock sensors on the Fbody. Basically identical procedure, only difference is no throttle cable and you can remove all but two bolts on the corvette, Fbody has 4 that wont come out.

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Old Apr 13, 2017 | 10:45 PM
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Thank you for that
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Old Apr 14, 2017 | 05:08 AM
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I opted to pull the intake when my sensor went out. The process wasn't bad at all. Hardest part was the last two intake bolts nearest the firewall. Not much room to work there.
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Old Apr 14, 2017 | 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by lionelhutz
I still don't get this hack or why people are proud of the time savings. The intake on a LS motor is easy to remove and re-install. I can get the intake off in a similar time to removing the wipers and cowl cover. And yes, needlessly chopping a hole in the car is what I call a hack or butchering the car.
AMEN BROTHER
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Old Apr 19, 2017 | 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by laurent_zo6
Many videos on the subject on YouTube. Here's one where you don't have to cut off anything:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSVko7B5zNM
Pretty smooth!
I'll bet this is the method employed at the dealership... most shops pay the techs based on production. 'Flat Rate' book labor time is billed to the customer, based on steps called for in the service manual. Any short cuts that can be used will increase their salary!
I've gotten lazy in my old age, and find it simpler just to remove the intake and skip all the bullsh*t.
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