Hi folks - I'm new here - thanks for this cool site.

1995 Z28 with about 200K miles on it.

While I've had my car since she was a pup, I'm very much a beginner as far as repair/troubleshooting. So hopefully the expertise here will be able to shed some light on things and point me in the right direction.

I tried starting her the other day and she was acting like the timing was off or I had ran out of gas (had plenty). So I kept trying to start, thinking maybe I just bought some skunk gas at the last fill-up. I had the hood open and noticed some smoke from the air intake - I opened it at the air filter and observed smoked coming from the intake side.

Being a hardhead, I waited a little and tried to start her again (:eek: I can envision some of you probably cringing)... anyway, thats when I realized my oil pressure gage wasnt even responding. If I recall right, the gage should come on and show pressure even when I turn the key to the on position?

So I stopped and got my baby towed. Now I'm trying to figure out what may/may not be up before I get some mechanics to operate.

Oil Pressure Switch bad?
Oil Pump bad?
No oil? (I did have an oil leak - oil was very low when I checked during this)

Any ideas? How bad might this be?

Suggestions? Anything from: repair this little thing, it may be cheap... up to get a new engine or overhaul or whatever.

I've had her for 11 years this November and would like to keep her around - she's the best kind of car - PAID OFF!

Thanks in advance!

- Con

Timing chain skipped a tooth or two perhaps. The OEM timing gear set had nylon capped teeth. After a 100K miles or so, the teeth wear down enough that the chain can skip. When I've seen it happen, it has either been right as the motor was turned off or at the moment it was first cranked. The end result is motor runs fine, you shut it off, and it won't start again.

Thanks for the input.

I seem to recall an oil pressure switch on these cars that disables the fuel pump if the pressure doesn't come up. I also recall it is separate from the one for the guage, and connects directly to the computer.

Don't think it will start without oil pressure. Also don't believe a slipped timing chain will cause a lack of oil pressure, either.