2.2 L61 Engine: 2007 2.2L Oil Pressure Gauge Install How-to
Good information. I prefer an electrical gauge over a mechanical gauge just because I don't want the oil coming into the passenger compartment in case of a leak.
Where you positioned the sending unit (in the cylinder head) you will read lower oil pressure than what is in the block. There is a restrictor orifice that reduces the oil pressure to the head. I originally installed my sending unit there too but it drove me crazy because the service manual states the oil pressure minimum is 50 PSI @ 1000RPM. I thought I had an oil problem until I found out about the restriction. I installed a remote sending unit using the Autometer adapter in the original factory sending unit position and a brass tube kit in order to read block pressure. I positioned my original sending unit in the cylinder head -- since it is just a "on-off" switch it is working there without a problem.
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/general-cobalt-68/how-get-oil-pressure-gauge-work-almost-106584/
Where you positioned the sending unit (in the cylinder head) you will read lower oil pressure than what is in the block. There is a restrictor orifice that reduces the oil pressure to the head. I originally installed my sending unit there too but it drove me crazy because the service manual states the oil pressure minimum is 50 PSI @ 1000RPM. I thought I had an oil problem until I found out about the restriction. I installed a remote sending unit using the Autometer adapter in the original factory sending unit position and a brass tube kit in order to read block pressure. I positioned my original sending unit in the cylinder head -- since it is just a "on-off" switch it is working there without a problem.
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/general-cobalt-68/how-get-oil-pressure-gauge-work-almost-106584/
I had read about the restriction in the head, but I didn't want to move the stock sending unit in case I wanted to return the car back to stock. That's also why I didn't use power from the radio. I'm not to concerned with the pressure being lower because the restriction in the head because my main need for the gauge was for the ablity to check oil pressure drop or loss. After driving it for a few days, I found out the numbers in which my car operates and if they vary to much I know I have a problem.
I had read about the restriction in the head , but I didn't want to move the stock sending unit in case I wanted to return the car back to stock. That's also why I didn't use power from the radio. I'm not to concerned with the pressure being lower because the restriction in the head because my main need for the gauge was for the ablity to check oil pressure drop or loss. After driving it for a few days, I found out the numbers in which my car operates and if they vary to much I know I have a problem.
Good how-to!
Thanks
oh, okay. i was just curious. for the future, if that's all it is, there is a constant power in the radio harness.
wht the hell, how do i get tht damn oil galley plug off, iv been trying for 2 hrs... those are tighter thn... well... ill let the guys tht have done this tell u... u guys couldnt have gotten them off with a simple allen key. how did u do it?
try one on a ratchet handle.
ahh im gona go crazy trying to get it off lol, im gona get some industrial hex bits for rachtets tmrw. i used to have some but ironicly lost the one i needed. and to top it off i have an allen key lost somewhere in my engine bay lol
ya lol, ur right abt tht. i tried looking for a good amount of time. now, once i get tht damn thing off i think im going to do the same thing u did. but i have a mechanical oil gauge. tht stock sensor is a bitch to get to eh?
Last edited by originaladrian; May 21, 2008 at 09:41 PM. Reason: typo
Bad news...you just can't get to the original sending unit without taking off the intake manifold -- just no way to get a wrench on it. The good news is that you don't need to buy anything...all the seals are rubber and reusable. Just keep everything super clean. I can't find a special made tool that you can use to remove the oil sending unit without removing the intake manifold. If anyone knows of one please post it!
Bad news...you just can't get to the original sending unit without taking off the intake manifold -- just no way to get a wrench on it. The good news is that you don't need to buy anything...all the seals are rubber and reusable. Just keep everything super clean. I can't find a special made tool that you can use to remove the oil sending unit without removing the intake manifold. If anyone knows of one please post it!
ya but i had to buy 12 feet to i can safely clear everything with no kinks. so i bought autometers 12 ft special vynil tubing for oil pres, not wht came with my guage. supposed to be safe... i hope.... do i have to be worried abt the vynil tube rubbing against hot parts? thts the main reason i bought the extra tube. im convinced tht if done rite is just as safe as any other gauge.
i do a long extension with an elbow and a 1 1/8 deep well socket. thats how i got mine off. and then went i put on my 2.4 manifold the sending unit wouldn't fit so i had to get a 45 degree elbow from autometer.
thts wht im doing, but i wont have to worry abt any sending unit, im running oil to the gauge.
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?t=106584


