1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**57NAPCO** · 07-28-2017, 06:08 AM

My daughter just bought a beautiful, original, low mileage 1988 Chevy shortbed 4X4 with a 350/automatic. She is getting ready to driving home (750 miles) and sent me a picture of the oil pressure gauge and the light that come on at a stop light when pressing the brake hard. I've never owned a truck like this and was wondering if they have gauge issues? I hope!
Dang, sorry for the gigantic picture

**57NAPCO** · 07-28-2017, 06:11 AM

mountie · 07-28-2017, 06:54 AM

Oil gauge sender located behind distributor. I have an '88 also & my gauge is inconsistent.

**57NAPCO** · 07-28-2017, 07:11 AM

Thanks mountie, I'm sure hoping it's just a gauge issue. I wont be able to check it till she gets home.

mountie · 07-28-2017, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57NAPCO

Thanks mountie, I'm sure hoping it's just a gauge issue. I wont be able to check it till she gets home.

If the pressure is actually low, ..just listen to the noisy valve train.

>>>> the last time the oil filter was changed?>>>>>>

scotto0609 · 07-28-2017, 03:29 PM

Sounds obvious but make sure it has the correct amount of oil in it, i only say this because of the hard braking might be emptying the sump. gluck

**57NAPCO** · 07-28-2017, 03:42 PM

Thanks y'all, oil is full and was recently changed.

**Mr_Rich** · 07-28-2017, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountie

Oil gauge sender located behind distributor. I have an '88 also & my gauge is inconsistent.

Nope. Gauge sender is at the rear of the driver's side exhaust manifold. Oil sender switch is behind the dist. I have this same problem and I know my engine's still in great shape internally.

**57NAPCO** · 07-28-2017, 05:42 PM

Once again thanks y'all, my heart is at ease...

abig84 · 07-28-2017, 08:03 PM

yeah, my 1990 was the same way for a few years. pretty much the exact same pressure at idle. i didnt think anything of it as ive had a few older 80s chevys that were the same way, had a old k5 that would drop down to zero after like 20 minutes of driving it.

what i did in my 1990 was put a bottle of lucas oil treatment in it and it bumped the oil pressure up. so who knows if it just cleaned out the sending unit or actually cleaned out the oil passages. but i idle at like 30-45psi depending where the engine temp is.

07-28-2017, 06:08 AM	#1
57NAPCO F’B’D guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas/Maine Posts: 2,208	1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure? My daughter just bought a beautiful, original, low mileage 1988 Chevy shortbed 4X4 with a 350/automatic. She is getting ready to driving home (750 miles) and sent me a picture of the oil pressure gauge and the light that come on at a stop light when pressing the brake hard. I've never owned a truck like this and was wondering if they have gauge issues? I hope! Dang, sorry for the gigantic picture

07-28-2017, 06:11 AM	#2
57NAPCO F’B’D guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas/Maine Posts: 2,208	Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure?

07-28-2017, 06:54 AM	#3
mountie Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Bradenton, Fla. Posts: 1,100	Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure? Oil gauge sender located behind distributor. I have an '88 also & my gauge is inconsistent. __________________ '70 GTO Midnight Blue '88 GMC Sierra SLE 392,000 miles-(2018) sold to Classic car shop in Germany. '93 Cadillac STS Black '93 Mercedes SL 500 Teal '86 Yamaha FZ750 - 15,000 RPM '86 Yamaha FJ1200 - Criminally Fast 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB, I drive it - don't own it. '05 GMC Yukon XL , SLT 4wd ( just purchased 2018)

07-28-2017, 07:11 AM	#4
57NAPCO F’B’D guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas/Maine Posts: 2,208	Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure? Thanks mountie, I'm sure hoping it's just a gauge issue. I wont be able to check it till she gets home.

07-28-2017, 03:29 PM	#6
scotto0609 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: new york Posts: 226	Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure? Sounds obvious but make sure it has the correct amount of oil in it, i only say this because of the hard braking might be emptying the sump. gluck

07-28-2017, 03:42 PM	#7
57NAPCO F’B’D guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas/Maine Posts: 2,208	Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure? Thanks y'all, oil is full and was recently changed.

07-28-2017, 05:42 PM	#9
57NAPCO F’B’D guy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas/Maine Posts: 2,208	Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure? Once again thanks y'all, my heart is at ease...

07-28-2017, 08:03 PM	#10
abig84 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: wheaton IL Posts: 659	Re: 1988 1500 4X4 5.7 automatic, 119,000 miles....low oil pressure? yeah, my 1990 was the same way for a few years. pretty much the exact same pressure at idle. i didnt think anything of it as ive had a few older 80s chevys that were the same way, had a old k5 that would drop down to zero after like 20 minutes of driving it. what i did in my 1990 was put a bottle of lucas oil treatment in it and it bumped the oil pressure up. so who knows if it just cleaned out the sending unit or actually cleaned out the oil passages. but i idle at like 30-45psi depending where the engine temp is.



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