Low oil pressure warning

[jtwilber]

2003 Silverado 5.3L. I've owned for 15k miles, no troubles or noises.

My plow, boat and dump vehicle.

 

Notes:

tach has been pegged ( occassionaly works ) since purchase

Oil change about 2 weeks before issue

 

Issue

Last week truck had "low oil pressure" warning going off, truck stalling.

Oil gauge was reading low... at idle maybe 8-10.

Engine started tapping

 

Phase 1

Local shop opened pan, said oil screen was packed with oil sludge & chunks

Cleaned screen, replaced pickup & o rings ( $500 )

Mechanical check of oil pressure showed gauge matched mechanical reading

Oil pump must be ok as we do get marginal pressure.

Added an oil treatment

 

Results

No change.

Sometimes rough starting, driving and highway pressure reads 21-24 or so.

When idle speed drops down pressure gauge reads 4-5 maybe.

Oil warning goes on.

tapps always, even on high way.

 

HELP !

Shop thinks they have covered it all and drive to fry.

I see You tube videos on taking covers off and B12 and toothbrush all the rods and lifters, I'm not really a mechanic but would do this... but it looks like an 8 hour job for a shop, that would add another $1000 to the $500 already dropped.

 

Any suggestions by pros ?

 

Thanks

 

 

[00Silverado4x4]

If your oil pressure was confirmed to be that low I'd take it somewhere else and get a quote for a new oil pump. That's ridiculous that the first shop say it's good. If it's so low that the engine's tapping, you need to replace the pump before you destroy your engine.

[jtwilber]

Find a real shop. They blew your engine with a half try repair. Oil treatment? Why the snake oil?

 

For the record I did the snake oil....

[jtwilber]

Local shop ( Martys GMC Truck, Kingston, MA ) says replace oil pump, check bypass valve for stuck open. Tapping indicates oil not getting to the top, drive easy 10 miles.

Cost about $1,200 - no guarantees.

 

Concur ? disagree ?

[Gone Again]

Concur-but don't be surprised if damage is already done.

[j-ten-ner]

...Oil pump must be ok as we do get marginal pressure...

 

?

That would be the same as saying: "Oil is not the problem because there is no oil."

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[txab]

A pump might do you no good. Wouldn't be surprised if your bearing clearances are way too much after driving all this time with low pressure. You never mention how many miles on this ride. It could be time to drop anther engine in it

[jtwilber]

Ok so this problem started one week ago. No tapping no warnings before that. Since problem started probably no more than 25 miles were put on the truck and never more than 5 at one time.

[jtwilber]

Update. Took it to the dealer. They put in oil pump $1300 . Today they say... still tapping, pressure a bit better, we're still trying some things, maybe damaged engine.

Did I just flush $1300 plus $500 down the drain on this.

[00Silverado4x4]

YOU had to pay $1300 for THEM to replace your oil pump....that's a load of pizza boxes with no pizza. They worked on it and sent you off saying "it's good to go" and now you have a possible bad engine. I'd be raising candy canes with these guys. I hate to say it but I think they bent you over the wrong end of the workbench.

[jtwilber]

Arent you the guy that told me to get a new pump on June 6th ?

[00Silverado4x4]

Yes, I know I was one that said get a confirmation on the pump. However, the place you went sent you off to continue driving with a bad oil pump. Now you're looking at possibly a broke down engine vs just a pump replacement. All I was saying is I'd be asking why they didn't replace the pump in the first place rather than blowing it off and now your engine is worse and they are charging you for the repairs that should have already been done.

[txab]

Time for a new engine or get rid of it

[02suburbanZ71]

Dont mean to steal the thread, but other than the pressure gauge what are some symptoms of low oil pressure? Would my 02 notify me on the display

[gapost]

I'm sorry to say, but yeah, it sounds like new or used engine time. If the first shop found oil screen "packed with oil sludge and chunks," that didn't happen overnight. It had been oil starved for a long time. I missed this thread, but I would have voted against spending $1300 for a replacement pump and used that money towards the installation of a good used engine. For sure, don't take it back to the GM dealer for an engine replacement. Find a good shop that will get you a good used engine for about $800 and install it for about $1000-1500