Oil Pressure!

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bigblue

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OK so on my way into work this AM the oil pressure gauge dropped to ZERO and the check gauges light popped on. I almost didn't even notice it and then it went away just as I did happen to see it. The truck never shook or stalled. About ten minutes later just as I was parking her she did it again.

So I am work now and wondering how risky it is to drive her home. Are these gauges prone to misreads or am I pretty much hosed if I turn the engine over again?

1997 Tahoe
123k miles
 

corvhoe7795

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Well, of course you'll want to check your oil before going home after work. I'd bet your dip stick will read full and you'll be fine. It's an electrical problem in your dash as I'm sure you're suspecting. Someone will have an answer for you as to what the electrical culprit is.
 

Beef

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Def check the oil and level, and check under the truck for any leakage.

If it is a faulty reading I would suspect the pressure sensor because that would be the trigger to send a fault in your ECU.
 

aquaholic

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its safe to drive home. if you really lost all of your oil pressure you'd know it. the thing would sound like a diesel. chances are your sending unit is going bad.
 

Sloppydrippins

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same thing here

My truck has that exact same problem, and I'm pretty sure the oil pressure sending unit could be the culprit. I'm pretty sure that oil pumps either work or don't work so your pressure probably isn't bad. Like those other fellas were saying - check the oil level so you know and then tackle that sending unit. I can't say how difficult it'll be to change that as I am still researching it but I know the sending unit only costs about $25.00. Good luck!
 

AustinTahoe

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Oil Pressure

I'm curious as to what happened with your oil pressure issue. My 1999 Tahoe LT 4x4 with 172,400 miles just died. I was on a fishing trip and driving 250 miles one way. During the trip, Check Gauges light came on but all looked well, oil pressure normal to low. Happened again as I was parking and noticed this time the oil pressure was near/at zero. Parked it and and checked oil level (I had just had oil changed on Monday and this was Wed), all was OK. On Thursday, drove about 50 miles and on return trip, engine revved hard but no clunking, banging or diesling sound. I let off on the throttle and then tried to accelerate again, same thing, no power. This time when I let off, the engine died and battery died too. Finally got it towed to a shop and they found metal flakes in the oil and oil was dark. Said the main bearings were gone. So, not sure what all happened but I ended up buying the 2008 Z71. I'm thinking of putting in a new engine and tranny to make the 1999 my beach/hunting/off road vehicle.
 

bigblue

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oil pressure

Austin,

My issue turned out to be a straight up leak/loss of fluid. I was surprised it was as sensitive as it is but it saved me from damaging the engine.

As of today I am driving the same truck with the same engine just + about 20,000 miles.

BOL with your '99
 

AustinTahoe

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Oil Pressure

Austin,

My issue turned out to be a straight up leak/loss of fluid. I was surprised it was as sensitive as it is but it saved me from damaging the engine.

As of today I am driving the same truck with the same engine just + about 20,000 miles.

BOL with your '99

BigBlue, thanks for the reply. I guess it was just "time" for my '99 Tahoe. Thanks again.
 

Sloppydrippins

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oil pressure

I changed out my oil pressure sending unit but to no avail. I was leaking oil but never see any drips where I park the truck. That made me think it couldn't possibly be an oil leak. How do you leak out that much oil and not find evidence of it? I felt like a complete moron after I checked the oil level and found it drastically low. After changing the filter and giving it a full 5 quarts, no more problems.

I also discovered that such a low oil level will cause ticking noise.. maybe from lifters/pushrods or rockers? I could have wasted the engine, but thankfully it didn't. Now I just have to replace door pins/bushings, the fuel pump assembly and fix my A/C. Yay! I still love Chevys tho. Got my wife a 2011 Cruze LT, and it's pretty swank.
 
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