Buick 3.8 oil pump

Uhh...just how difficult is it to replace the oil pump Buick 3.8 liter? Not that I have too yet....but, I seem to have some oil pressure problems. Isn't the sending unit (it is new) and it isn't the gauge (it is new as well). Would a bad ground allow the gauge to move just a little and not show what the actual pressure is? It comes off the stop, but then only moves to the "Zero" on the gauge.

I'm rather embarrassed to say this, but it has been this way for over a year now. I just chalked it up to a band sender/gauge, but now that they are both new, I'm afraid I have a bigger problem. Of course, if it will drive a year without oil pressure, what am I worried about?

My next step is to try a manual gauge and see what it reads.

Hope it is an instrumentation problem.....I don't want to float into gimbal lock..

 

Usally you know there is a oil pressure problem when cold you have some pressure. Then when it gets hot and you come to a stop, the pressure drops to 0 psi. :?

 

check with manual gauge best bet
or...did you use teflon tape on the sender threads ?
maybe a BG (bad ground)

 

incorect ohms on the sending unit and gauge kinda like the fuel gauge set up? just a thought you may have thought of that.

 

"Usally you know there is a oil pressure problem when cold you have some pressure. Then when it gets hot and you come to a stop, the pressure drops to 0 psi. "

Well, I kind of remember seeing something like that on the oil pressure gauge more then a year ago. I figured that with all the electrical gremlins, it was most likely an electrical problem. I might have been wrong.


http://www.earlycj5.com/tech/engines...Pump/index.php

I could probably come by and help some weekend.

I won't turn down the help, although I think it will be quite a while before I can tackle a project this big.... daughter is only 3 weeks agay..

check with manual gauge best bet
or...did you use teflon tape on the sender threads ?
maybe a BG (bad ground)

Yes, I did use teflon tape. I read recently that it was a mistake. This could be the problem. Although, I was having indicated oil pressure problems before I replaced everything. And, the fact that the needle moves a little, means that there is some ground there?

incorect ohms on the sending unit and gauge kinda like the fuel gauge set up? just a thought you may have thought of that.

I did think of that and seeing as I really don't know what year this engine is, when I asked for a sending unit, it is entirely possible the ohms are different from the gauge I picked up. Is there an easy way to tell what the ohms are?

Thanks for the replies.

 

A cheap mechanical gauge will take all the guessing out of the problem. I've never been a fan of electrical gauges for oil pressure.