3.1 - Dropping the oil pan

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[Chris]

Alright, so my car is getting worse with the oil pressure dilemma. I'm seeing a lot more lately; the oil pressure dropping to 0 and my oil light coming on. This happens under hard acceleration, hard braking, and any type of cornering. I've been trying to take it real easy with the car, but alas; that isn't the solution to the problem.

So now I'm thinking about putting the car on the lift and dropping the pan to see if the pickup fell off. I've never dropped an oil pan on a 3.1 before, so I'm wondering how much of a pain in the ass this is going to be with the engine still in the car, leaking fluids on me; and dropping wads of melting snow onto my head.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

Dont accelerate too fast, or brake hard. its a lumina, not nascar. hahaha -not even a z34!!! lol jk

[Chris]

Thanks for the help, wiseass.

[Prospeeder]

Well, most of the bolts are ok to get to, its just to clear the pan you need to loosen the motor mounts and raise the engine to get sufficent clearance.

[Chris]

Oh wow that sounds fun. Any tips?

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

speaking of oil pressure....
ignition on, i have 0. sounds normal. engine running i have well over the top of the gauge. im not sure what number that would fall on, but its HIGH!! lol like past the top of the gauge high. i know the oil pressure isnt that high because it would do it when i had the engine 3 liters low (dont ask)
now of a 4.5L oil capacity with only 1.5 (maybe) in it, its still pushing WAY past max pressure. could it be a bad oil pressure sender? if so, why only when the engine is running? what would happen if you put euro gauges in a z34? *aside from the redline -unless euro 3.4 was found. but i hear the oil pressure wire can be in two possible positions for a lumi. could this be the issue?

[Chris]

Test what your sender is putting out with a multimeter and go from there. Could very well be going bad, either that or you have some serious blockage somewhere.

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

blockage i dont think i have... the oil is ALWAYS clean when i change it. or check it. lol (mind you its been a little while since i checked it last... and i know im about due for a change.

[EuroSS]

defective sender

[Chris]

I don't think the sender is defective (although I haven't checked). It seems like the pickup fell off the oil pump to me since it only happens during times where the oil sloshes around.

[EuroSS]

i was refering to sofas problem, but if the pickup fell off you would have 0 oil pressure.  maybe a bad pan baffle came un welded? or a lot of shit in the pan bottom/dented

[Prospeeder]

Tips on doing it? have fun, lol, I hate oil pans, but the Felpro 3.1 kits come with these freakin awsome metal/rubber gaskets, and these plasic things that thread into the block and u just push the pan up and it snaps into 4 holes and holds the pan up so you can keep the gasket aligned, and thread the bolts right in! Tighten from the inside out, and...be carful jacking up the engine, use block of wood, im sure you know all basics. Just undo lower mount and maybe loosen the trans mounts, i used the trans pan to raise up the engine, and just took out as many bolts as possible, raised the engine bit by bit untill i cleared the subframe and allow the pan to come out.