Oil pressure sending unit

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

My low oil pressure light came back, the oil was dirty but not old and smelled of fuel so assuming it was dilluted I changed the oil but decided to finally wire up my oil pressure gauge just in case.

Where the **** are you supposed to put the tennis ball sized oil pressure sending unit? I bought a tee so I still have my factory sensor but I can't find a way to get this giant canister in that tight space. Looking for solutions others have come up with, I ordered a sending unit relocation kit that I hope will fix it but if there is a better way I'm ready to learn. Also have some tubing coming to finally get a boost gauge permanently installed but I'll look up where to tap in for that.

 

[Zpak]

I’m no help on your sending unit but your low oil pressure light could be the switch. Mine started leaking oil into it and fouled it out. Super easy to change on non PP.

 

[BradM]

I put a regular oil pressure sender in the unused plug found on the oil filter mount. I got the idea from this forum. Use a Setrab 22-M22NPT18 adapter but you need to use a thicker o-ring. I replied to a post about this a while ago.

 

[BradM]

Here's my post. https://shoforum.com/threads/frequency-of-changing-motor-oil.146261/#post-1598886

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

I put a regular oil pressure sender in the unused plug found on the oil filter mount. I got the idea from this forum. Use a Setrab 22-M22NPT18 adapter but you need to use a thicker o-ring. I replied to a post about this a while ago.

Talking about pulling this plug and replacing it with the adapter?

 

[BradM]

Yes but our adapters are a little different than that one. Here's a pic of mine. It's hard to get a wrench on it. Maybe a crows foot would work better but I cut a section out of a 1-1/8" socket to seat the adapter. It doesn't take much torque; you're just seating the o-ring. I also used some Permatex 59235 sealer. If you have catted DP's, it will be harder to reach.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

Yes but our adapters are a little different than that one. Here's a pic of mine. It's hard to get a wrench on it. Maybe a crows foot would work better but I cut a section out of a 1-1/8" socket to seat the adapter. It doesn't take much torque; you're just seating the o-ring. I also used some Permatex 59235 sealer. If you have catted DP's, it will be harder to reach.View attachment 95775

So did you put the factory plug there or is that some kind of super low profile pressure sender that I cant seem to find lol. My main concern was the cats in that area since I still have mine, I think ill try the remote system since its on the way to my house and switch to this set up once I go catless. then again if I get bad readings I might have to finagle a way to make this way work sooner than later. about 2 years ago I was fighting with the light but my ear was telling me it was wrong, no clatter or knocking, smooth as silk. I cleaned the connector and replaced the sensor after a series of tests with a pressure gauge directly in the hole the sensor was in, I think hot used oil I got like 11lbs of pressure at idle. but now that the light is acting up again and I have the means to just have a gauge full time I entered this would be easy project. I have that adapter you suggested saved in my cart, I really appreciate the input

 

[BradM]

I used the sensor that came with the Glowshift GS-W704. Looks like a standard sensor to me. Plenty of room even with cats. Just hard to get to with the cat in place.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

I used the sensor that came with the Glowshift GS-W704. Looks like a standard sensor to me. Plenty of room even with cats. Just hard to get to with the cat in place.

I got this golf ball, I too assumed the sensor would be more like what you have, but this thing came with my gauge.

 

[BradM]

I think that's for a tractor

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

I think that's for a tractor

Its an eye sore for sure, But if I google "oil pressure sending unit" I get that or OEM stuff, so I guess the question is difference in sensor and sending unit and will it work with my gauge. But, Glowshift had a remote mount kit (ironically for this type of sending unit) for $30, comes with fittings and 3' of braided stainless hose + bonus 3/4" clamp! Its my hope that pressure is pressure and I get accurate readings so I can put this project to bed finally. I miss driving my car and with the phantom issues it keeps having I like being able to see the essentials.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

I’m no help on your sending unit but your low oil pressure light could be the switch. Mine started leaking oil into it and fouled it out. Super easy to change on non PP.

I went through that a couple years ago, did multiple levels of testing to verify the car had oil pressure. this go around the plug is dirty but not wet, and if after all of this I can see I have oil pressure and the light keeps coming back, im replacing the switch...again....or just disabling it all together, undecided.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

@BradM the relocation kit was a bust, the clocking on the tee is just in a horrible spot. Just ordered what you suggested, and my oil filter housing doesn't have a cooler on it like yours so maybe it'll be easier, we will find out. Thanks again for the tip.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

After a couple parts swaps it's finally working, thanks again @BradM for the adapter suggestion, worked perfectly. Little concerning how close the sender is to the cat but I read the gauge manual and it said I can use the other style sender just takes different wiring. So if it melts I'll swap it out.

 

[BradM]

Nice. What are your readings when hot at 1500rpm? Just curious.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

Nice. What are your readings when hot at 1500rpm? Just curious.

Before the massive oil leak was discovered it was sitting around 20-25psi cruising. I am in the process of correcting the leak so I'll let you know when I have a solid reading

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

@BradM On the drive in to work this morning it was around 50psi at 1500 car at temp. after 40 minutes of mixed driving it was at 45psi at 1500. Idle in gear with oil hot I was sitting around 11-12, exactly where it was supposed to be according to my previous tests. and no leaks

 

[Zpak]

@BradM On the drive in to work this morning it was around 50psi at 1500 car at temp. after 40 minutes of mixed driving it was at 45psi at 1500. Idle in gear with oil hot I was sitting around 11-12, exactly where it was supposed to be according to my previous tests. and no leaks

Have you seen the oil light again since?

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

Have you seen the oil light again since?

No and since an oil change happened at the same time I'm fairly confident it was heavily diluted oil causing the light. I change my oil every 5k but the car sat for a couple of months while I was hunting a noise and didn't want to chance driving it. Once I found the noise and started driving it again I got hit and it sat for another 2 months. The oil was very dark and smelled of gas and was only 2800 miles in but going on 6 months old. All of the injectors have been changed so I'm not sure how the oil got so dilluted from sitting but it's all I can think of given the smell. Now that I have the gauge I'll be monitoring the pressure closely especially towards the end of the oil life. I should mention that the car was not knocking or clacking when the light was on so if the switch is accurate it must be on the cusp of 7lbs and not causing any damage.

 

[Zpak]

Ah, I never knew, so 7lbs sets the switch? If that’s the case and a normal full temp idle is 11-12’ish I guess it’s plausible beat down oil could be the culprit.