Oiling Issues

[Firebyrd]

I have an 02 Silverado with a 6.0 in it and 250,000 on the odometer. My problem is when I start it up in the morning or after it has been sitting for a while it seems that the engine is starting dry. It starts with what sounds like it is dry(lifters I believe) and the oil pressure gauge takes a little bit to move up from zero.

 

My question is would his be an oil pump or maybe a sensor somewhere? I don't want to just start throwing parts at it so I was hoping somebody here had an idea or me.

[ken1mod]

Make sure you are using the right oil filter with the anti drainback valve.

 

You could try a thicker oil. If the noise goes away within 5 seconds or so, it probably is not a terribly serious problem. You might even try an oil thickener like stp. At 250 k, it might need a little of that sort of thing. I have seen new Mercedes engines that do that when new.

 

Ken

[Firebyrd]

I am using an K&N oil filter which I have been using since I bought the truck new in 02. I am running 10/40 for oil and have been doing that for a while as well. This is a new problem that just started in the last few weeks. It also in the morning doesn't have as much oil pressure as it does once it warms up. It will go fron 40psi to 60 psi once the engine is warm. And at idle it seems to be at 35-40 and then up to about 45 when warm.

[zibzer]

I am using an K&N oil filter which I have been using since I bought the truck new in 02. I am running 10/40 for oil and have been doing that for a while as well. This is a new problem that just started in the last few weeks. It also in the morning doesn't have as much oil pressure as it does once it warms up. It will go fron 40psi to 60 psi once the engine is warm. And at idle it seems to be at 35-40 and then up to about 45 when warm.

 

AC Delco, Napa Gold, and Wix filters seem to fix most startup valve noises on chevy trucks..

 

Id also be looking at maybe a small exhaust leak at the manifold... this can sound eerily similar to valve chatter, and go away when engine warms up

[Black02Silverado]

Start small. I would go get an AC filter and put it on and see what happens. Not expensive and it is made for the application. Not saying K&N is bad, just taking a faulty part out of the equation so to speak. Are you running convention oil or synthetic? Just curious since conventional has a thicker consistency so to speak as well and should give you good start up oil pressure from the start. 250k is more than the average but not a ton in today's standards since most are keeping their vehicles longer.

 

I also want to say there have been issues with the oiling system on these engines. I remember reading it somewhere but can't remember where. Maybe someone else will chime in. Something about an o-ring on the oil pickup tube inside the engine. The fact that it is making a noise kind of eliminates a sensor.

[zibzer]

Start small. I would go get an AC filter and put it on and see what happens. Not expensive and it is made for the application. Not saying K&N is bad, just taking a faulty part out of the equation so to speak. Are you running convention oil or synthetic? Just curious since conventional has a thicker consistency so to speak as well and should give you good start up oil pressure from the start. 250k is more than the average but not a ton in today's standards since most are keeping their vehicles longer.

 

I also want to say there have been issues with the oiling system on these engines. I remember reading it somewhere but can't remember where. Maybe someone else will chime in. Something about an o-ring on the oil pickup tube inside the engine. The fact that it is making a noise kind of eliminates a sensor.

 

 

ive heard a similar thing, and was told that if you use a Oil Fillter with a good Anti Drainback Valve it will counter the leaky o-ring.. whether or not this is true i'm not sure

[az'03Silverado]

It could also be the impellers in the oil pump being slightly worn from time and mileage. If they're just slightly worn, the pump will still produce sufficient pressure but it'll take a few seconds longer to reach. However, this will happen slowly over time and not in one day.

[ken1mod]

The exhaust gas leak at the manifold might be very real. I had several 454s that were shipped from the factory with no gaskets there and when going through a puddle would warp the manifold enough to make this ticking noise that sounded mechanical. Check it out and try the oil thickener, stp. Won't hurt might help. Do the cheap stuff first but again, if things go to normal after 30 seconds, engine is still probably basically healthy. Lots of engines are noisey when cold. My Acura sounds like a box of rocks for 30 seconds and purrs like a kitten afterwards.

 

Ken

[az'03Silverado]

That's the rule of thumb with the airplanes I work on. If you don't see oil pressure w/in 30 seconds, shut her down.

[ken1mod]

I sure agree on seeing oil pressure within 30 seconds. Personally, I like to see oil pressure within 1 second and I always do.

 

Ken

[ken1mod]

what kind of planes do you work on? Maybe I flew one of them. Would that make us cousins?

 

Ken

[Firebyrd]

It only take about 5-10 seconds to get the oil pressure up but to me that is to long. I will try to change my oil this week and see if it is the filter and maybe at the same time I will add some thickener to it and see what happens. If that doesn't work then I guess I will look at the oil pump next.

[ken1mod]

keep us advised on how things go. Usually, if you can get the pan off, the oil pump is pretty easy to change but I have never done one of the new engines.

 

I do know that if clearance to get the pan off is tight, rotating the crank slowly can get the counterweights out of the way.

 

Ken

[az'03Silverado]

what kind of planes do you work on? Maybe I flew one of them. Would that make us cousins?

 

Ken

 

Warriors, Bonanzas and Barons for a flight school at Gateway. Keeps me out of trouble. Do you still fly?