Lost Oil Pressure 2500hd

mdo193 · April 5, 2010

2004 Silverado 2500HD 6.0L gas. 104,000 miles. Started truck (was already warm) and chimes started immediately. Thought it was door chimes so pulled out of driveway and drove about 20 seconds before noting oil pressure gauge read zero. Dash display read "low oil pressure". Immediately shut engine down. Checked dip stick = full. Normal color. Started truck and drove another 20 seconds to get it off the road. Heard lifter tick but nothing worse. Drove less than 1/3 mile total after chimes.

Towed in, small amount of metal shavings in the oil pan. Oil pressure regulator found to be stuck in open position. Mechanic hasn't given me any other info yet. He says he will charge me to tear the engine apart to find out the exact source of the metal.

Question - Mechanic gave me two options: Replace oil pump for $1,000.00 and see how long the engine lasts (no promises, no guarantees). Or, R&R engine with rebuild with 1 year warranty, for $5,000.00. Any suggestions??

BTW - I'm not too happy with GM here. I have documentation of completing all recommended service, including oil changes at a dealer every 3 - 4k miles. An oil pump should not fail at 100,000 miles!!

Spurshot · April 5, 2010

Change the pump and drive it. Do some periodic oil analysis to keep an eye on it. I wouldn't put $5k in an engine on that truck.

ken1mod · April 8, 2010

main wear points for lack of oil is rod bearings and main bearings in that order. Pistons are probably completely ok and roller cam does not require perfect oiling.

I would replace main and rod bearings and oil pump, and go another 100 000 miles. You will likely find mains perfect and rod bearings scored but I have run an engine without oil pressure for over a mile with absolutely no damage whatever.

Ken

ColoradoSkiCountry · April 8, 2010

"BTW - I'm not too happy with GM here. I have documentation of completing all recommended service, including oil changes at a dealer every 3 - 4k miles. An oil pump should not fail at 100,000 miles!! "

Crap happens. The oil pump is a mechanical device, subject to failure at anytime, no matter how much quality control goes into it or how much you pay for your vehicle. I'm sure there are Honda's and Toyota's and Ford's and VWs and Mercedes out there that have had oil pumps go out at low millage for no apparent reason. Just keep that in mind.

That being said, I would be mad as well, but given the choices, I'd go with a new oil pump and perhaps see how she drives after that and if your not happy, sell it.

99 2500 · April 8, 2010

Same thing happened to me with my 76000 mile, 2005 - 6.0L engine. Had been noticing more than usual wear metal on drain plug last three oil changes, so no surprise. Tore down the front end and relief valve was stuck open just like yours, pulled cam and found serious wear on cam retainer plate and cam sprocket. The cam ( aftermarket comp cam) had several lobes that were wore through the hardened surface. In the end i replace cam, roller lifters, cam retainer plate, cam sprocket ( has new design in it to help with lubrication ), oil pump and just have put a 1000 miles on it with no problems. I'm glad i was able to fix myself, i could see a shop telling me i would have needed a complete rebuild.

mdo193 · April 9, 2010

Thanks for the advice - it helped me make my decision. I also consulted a half-dozen amateur and pro mechanic friends, and it was 4 for the oil pump, 2 for the engine (both pros voted for new engine).

I went with the pump, and it seems to be running fine. I never saw the oil or the filter, but the mechanic showed me the pump, and there wasn't any gunk or metal in the oil that was on it.

Mysteriously, while the truck was in the shop, it developed a leak in the exhaust manifold gasket, and when I picked it up the speedometer was stuck at 70mph. All the other gauges worked fine. Oil pressure at 40-45. Of course, the mechanic said he never touched anything that would cause either of those problems. What a... coincidence.

The dealer replacement program for the KNOWN faulty gauges expired at 80k miles, so they want $500.00 to fix it (why wasn't there a recall??). There's some people selling them on eBay for $100.00, I'll check in to it. He'll replace the gasket for 75 bucks.

I've owned Chevy Silverados since I was 17 (1976). I put 150,000+ miles on each one before I sold them in good condition. NONE of them had the kinds of problems I've had with this one (except the window motors - all of them went bad).

1. Oil pump failure

2. Wheel bearings

3. Water pump

4. Gauge cluster

5. Steering pump (6" lift, so my bad)

6. Window motors

7. A/C fan

8. Exhaust manifold gasket

9. Tail gate recall

10. Tow light lights randomly; trans won't shift.

I'm in the market for a new truck; I'm pretty sure it won't be a GM this time.

Thanks again.