Oil pressure sensor problem

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Hellested

Newbie
Joined
Nov 24, 2016
Messages
9
Reaction score
4
Location
Nevada
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
my first post. I have a 1998 4x4 k3500 cclb sw, vortec 7.4l, 4l80e. I've finally pin pointed my oil leak. It's coming from the oil pressure sensor in the back of the engine. Bought a new sensor but the special oil pressure socket does not fit. It's not deep enough. I have a 1 1/16 in deep socket that is deep enough but I can't get the old sensor out. The socket is too thick. There is not enough space between the sensor and the block/intake manifold. The 1 1/16 deep socket won't fit over the old sensor to remove it because of this. In doing so, I broke the old sensor but metal half is still in the block. Has anyone experienced this? How has others changed their oil pressure sensor? I included a pic of the new sensor and the broken one. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 

Hellested

Newbie
Joined
Nov 24, 2016
Messages
9
Reaction score
4
Location
Nevada
You must be registered for see images attach
This is my truck in case you were wondering what she looked like :)
 

chipskittles

I'm Awesome
Joined
Mar 20, 2013
Messages
183
Reaction score
43
So the fitting for my oil pressure sensor is pointed almost straight back. It was very hard to change the sensor the first time it went bad. There was not enough space between the sensor and the firewall to get the proper socket in there so I used an adjustable wrench to loosen it and it took a while. I threaded in the replacement by hand. I think the torque spec on these is 15 inch/lbs or something so hand tight is probably fine in this case. There is thread sealer on most new ones, and I personally have not had a problem with leaks or it falling out or anything. I've had a few more go dead open though from tugging on the connector/harness though. The OEM delco sensor is particularly delicate in my experience.
 

ram1220

I'm Awesome
Joined
Apr 16, 2015
Messages
120
Reaction score
17
That's the same way I had to do mine in my 90 Sierra. It was a real pain to get to. I think I had to use a pair of pliers and just a lot of patience. I posted here over a year ago though on how I got mine out.
 

Hellested

Newbie
Joined
Nov 24, 2016
Messages
9
Reaction score
4
Location
Nevada
I'll have to buy a smaller adjustable wrench. There is no way the one I have will fit. Lol . Thanks for sharing your experience.
 

magimerlin

I'm Awesome
Joined
May 27, 2013
Messages
2,451
Reaction score
650
Location
Raymond, NH
Never had an instance when my oil sensor socket wouldn't fit.... I have both the long one and the short one.... interesting...

You could buy a cheap wrench that size and cut it short so you can use the box end in the tight space...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
 

ram1220

I'm Awesome
Joined
Apr 16, 2015
Messages
120
Reaction score
17
What happened with my 90 Sierra is that I had the old style sensor that came from the factory. I could not find a wrench that would fit anywhere to remove it. The new sensor had been redesigned by GM and went in like a charm with a proper sized tool. I went to several places but no one had a tool that would get the old sensor out. I had to use pliers and brute force.
 

Hellested

Newbie
Joined
Nov 24, 2016
Messages
9
Reaction score
4
Location
Nevada
I went to a different auto parts stir today and the oil pressure socket they had(different brand) is deeper and should work because it has thinner walls. I guess I'll find out tomorrow. Lol
 

Hellested

Newbie
Joined
Nov 24, 2016
Messages
9
Reaction score
4
Location
Nevada
So I was able to change the sensor with the oil pressure socket. The one at NAPA didn't work but the on from AutoZone worked.....barely but I got it done. Thanks for the help/input guys!
 
Top