Google + Oil Pump Failure = Camaro5

[ravensjeff]

So bummed out this morning. Got a Low oil pressure- Stop Engine warning message displayed.

Immediately turned off car, checked oil, looked for leaks then went to work in another car.

With so many mods done to my engine, that's all I was thinking about on the way to work. Before calling my builder, I did a Google search on "2010 Camaro No Oil Pressure" to see if anything came up. Boy did it. Many were links to this forum (I've been a member for quite some time).

Camaro5 links, once again, gave me all the information I needed to know about this. Time and again it continually provides answers to just about any question you may have with these cars. Thanks again to Camaro5 for providing some relief and quick answers before I even had to make a call for repair.

I had no idea there were issues with our stock oil pumps where the pressure relief valve sticks. This applied to many cars, and both L99 & LS3 Camaro's (which, I've learned, have 2 different pumps in them for specific reasons). It didn't help either that I had a L99 converted to a LS3 either.

Time for the rollback.

[SS PANTHER]

Your sig states forged and tuned by Lingenfelter. Didn't they know and or suggest replacing the factory pump, chain, etc.? Also, are you are referring to the L99 LS3 cam conversion? The lifter tray on the L99 should have been converted to the LS3 tray for proper oiling. Good luck with the fix and hopefully it won't cost much.

[ravensjeff]

They did this work back in 2010. Nothing suggested on replacing stock oil pump. Not sure how well known this issue was back then and whether or not it should of been replaced. I left all those decisions to them. Just about everything internally was replaced, including intake/exhaust valves, springs, forged pistons & connecting rods, rod & main bearings, multi-angle valve job, cc cylinder chambers, CNC porting of heads, balancing crankshaft & rotating assembly, GT9 LPE Supercharger camshaft, among other things.

I can't remember 100% of the specifics involved just with the L99 to LS3 conversion itself. From their website: Convert to LS3: lifters, front cover, 3 bolt cam conversion,
LS3 hollow stem intake valves, Inconel exhaust valves.

Car being picked up on the 21st, so I have some nervous waiting to do.

[sdynak]

Seems like you did everything right and should be just a pump swap.. Sure it will all turn out fine and come back with less worries.. Not something many of us look forward to. Hardest part is going to be withdrawal.. hang in there

[Hilflos]

Originally Posted by sdynak

Seems like you did everything right and should be just a pump swap.. Sure it will all turn out fine and come back with less worries.. Not something many of us look forward to. Hardest part is going to be withdrawal.. hang in there

You acted on it quickly. It'll be fine.

[LOBBS]

The oil pump on the L99 is a higher pressure, higher volume pump compared to the LS3 to support the AFM lifters. I've seen several sources that say it's not necessary to swap out when doing a cam change/LS3 conversion. I don't seem to remember them having the same issues with sticking that the LS3 pumps did either.

[SS PANTHER]

Originally Posted by ravensjeff

They did this work back in 2010. Nothing suggested on replacing stock oil pump. Not sure how well known this issue was back then and whether or not it should of been replaced. I left all those decisions to them. Just about everything internally was replaced, including intake/exhaust valves, springs, forged pistons & connecting rods, rod & main bearings, multi-angle valve job, cc cylinder chambers, CNC porting of heads, balancing crankshaft & rotating assembly, GT9 LPE Supercharger camshaft, among other things.

I can't remember 100% of the specifics involved just with the L99 to LS3 conversion itself. From their website: Convert to LS3: lifters, front cover, 3 bolt cam conversion,
LS3 hollow stem intake valves, Inconel exhaust valves.

Car being picked up on the 21st, so I have some nervous waiting to do.

Yes, a few things have changed in the last five years. But, hindsight is 20/20 and you have had an awesome, powerful Camaro from the beginning of the C5's. I wish I had a build like that. Again, hope it is a simple inexpensive fix.

[kevint]

Also, if you make your searches that specific, google will aggregate the results if many appear on one site.

[DaFisch]

google + camaro5 literally has everything, lol

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by LOBBS

The oil pump on the L99 is a higher pressure, higher volume pump compared to the LS3 to support the AFM lifters. I've seen several sources that say it's not necessary to swap out when doing a cam change/LS3 conversion. I don't seem to remember them having the same issues with sticking that the LS3 pumps did either.

GM's bulletin on this covered both LS3 & L99 oil pumps. Same bulletin also covered many other cars as well. Most of the threads I came across were for LS3's though. Sounds like the issue was with the finish & production casting accuracy (I didn't dig too much further on this).

I did convert my L99 over to LS3, but Lingenfelter said to still use the L99 (higher volume) pump. That's all I need to hear.

Oil pumps are not considered performance parts; kind of lock a clock; they just do their job. Guess I got one of the bad clocks!!

[Moto-Mojo]

I find the Google search better than the forum's feature.

[Scalded Dog]

Some people see a warning about low oil pressure... and they avoid driving the car until the situation is remedied. This is smart.

I recently pulled over on the side of a mountain highway to remove a rock that had rolled onto the road from the embankment above. Before I was able to walk out to remove the basketball sized boulder, a guy came along at 70 MPH and hit it... I never even saw brake lights, but I did see rock shrapnel, Toyota Camry parts, and a quarter- mile- long oil slick as a result... that car never pulled over, or even slowed down. What an idiot.

An hour later, by random chance, I happened to see the car on the back of a flatbed tow truck. Asked the driver what he had, and he mentioned that "some guy drove his car without oil until the engine blew up."

Comedy!

Sorry to digress... just saw an opportunity for story time. Now back to regularly scheduled programming.

[gr8daneh]

Originally Posted by SS PANTHER

Your sig states forged and tuned by Lingenfelter. Didn't they know and or suggest replacing the factory pump, chain, etc.? Also, are you are referring to the L99 LS3 cam conversion? The lifter tray on the L99 should have been converted to the LS3 tray for proper oiling. Good luck with the fix and hopefully it won't cost much.

I replaced my OEM with another OEM (because of this issue) @ about 15k when I did my CAM. Failed 15,000 miles later (still happening on the 2015's). Blew up the top end. Replaced with Melling the second time. No issues and 20K in...

[SS PANTHER]

Originally Posted by ravensjeff

GM's bulletin on this covered both LS3 & L99 oil pumps. Same bulletin also covered many other cars as well. Most of the threads I came across were for LS3's though. Sounds like the issue was with the finish & production casting accuracy (I didn't dig too much further on this).

I did convert my L99 over to LS3, but Lingenfelter said to still use the L99 (higher volume) pump. That's all I need to hear.

Oil pumps are not considered performance parts; kind of lock a clock; they just do their job. Guess I got one of the bad clocks!!

Originally Posted by gr8daneh

I replaced my OEM with another OEM (because of this issue) @ about 15k when I did my CAM. Failed 15,000 miles later (still happening on the 2015's). Blew up the top end. Replaced with Melling the second time. No issues and 20K in...

I have a L99 and have talked with a couple reputable vendors on here about going with a VVT cam and they stated that I would not need to replace the OEM pump or chain. I would not be in the same hp league as the OP, but, my tuner is recommending a Melling pump and a C5R chain. Besides more power, I want to replace the whole AFM valve train as I know this is the weak link with the L99's.