Google + Oil Pump Failure = Camaro5

[Chevy Fanatic]

Originally Posted by 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.

You may luck out and just have a bad oil pressure sensor. Would not yet condemn the pump.

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by SS PANTHER

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.

If you are replacing the cam then it is (Now) highly recommended to replace the stock oil pump with it's Melling equivalent since we now know there is a history failure and to give you peace of mind. The part is fairly cheap, the labor is the somewhat costly part if doing it just to replace the oil pump (vs. doing it when putting in a new cam). And there is a PI bulletin (Product Information) put out by GM on this issue.

My oil pump failure (if it is that and not the sensor) has little/nothing to do with the HP level I am at, nor my build. Normally you shouldn't have to replace the stock oil pump for these kinds of builds; but knowing there is an issue, and you are getting into the engine with mods, it makes sense to be careful.

See below:

Looks like it was a fairly common issue way back then and had a PI (Product Information vs TSB) put out by GM:

PIP4158C: Low Oil Pressure Due To Seized Oil Pressure Relief Valve - (Dec 29, 2009)


Subject: Low Oil Pump Pressure due to Seized Oil Pressure Relief Valve

Models: 2008-2009 Buick Lacrosse, Allure (Canada Only)
2007-2010 Cadillac CTS-V, Escalade
2007-2010 Chevrolet Avalanche, Corvette, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe
2007-2008 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
2007-2009 Chevrolet Impala SS, Trail Blazer
2009-2010 Chevrolet Colorado
2010 Chevrolet Camaro
2007-2010 GMC Envoy, Sierra, Yukon
2009-2010 GMC Canyon
2008-2010 Hummer H2
2008-2010 H3 Alpha
2008 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP
2008-2010 Pontiac G8 GT
2007-2009 Saab 97x
with the Following Aluminum V8 Engine RPOs:
L76, L77, L92, L94, L99, L9H, LC9, LH6, LH8, LH9, LS2, LS3, LS4, LS7, LS9, LSA, LZ1

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern:

Some customers may complain of low oil pressure, no oil pressure, and/or engine noise, which may be the result of a sticking oil pump pressure relief valve. In some instances, this may occur intermittently if the valve frees up when the engine cools down.
Recommendation/Instructions:

If SI diagnosis isolates low mechanical oil pressure at the oil filter housing and oil pressure sensor, replace the oil pump, flush the oil cooler lines (if equipped), clean the inside of the oil pan, change the oil and filter, and re-evaluate the concern.

Notice: If an engine noise is noticed after replacing the oil pump, follow the SI diagnosis and repair the engine as necessary.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

[SS PANTHER]

Thanks for the info. Yes, I would upgrade to the Melling at the time of a complete VVT cam installation with AFM delete valve train conversion and timing chain. Is this PI related to just the LS3 pump or also the L99 pump? Either way, I think I would be prudent to install a Melling pump during my cam installation. Keep us posted on your car.

[Camaro_Mike]

it may have been just your sensor, the samething happened to me about 3 weeks ago.

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by SS PANTHER

Thanks for the info. Yes, I would upgrade to the Melling at the time of a complete VVT cam installation with AFM delete valve train conversion and timing chain. Is this PI related to just the LS3 pump or also the L99 pump? Either way, I think I would be prudent to install a Melling pump during my cam installation. Keep us posted on your car.

The PI listed both L99 & LS3.

[qcman]

Originally Posted by 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.

I laughed at this thx for that! What a doofus he was!

[NC_SS]

42,000 miles in with no oil pump issue

That said, I'd do exactly what OP did and immediately turn my car off. The warning lights on these modern cars are pretty good about being on time, and not throwing codes after the car has kicked the bucket. Sounds like you probably caught it in time, and it may be as simple as an oil pump swap.

[Muscle Car Lover]

Originally Posted by Moto-Mojo

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

Agree!!!! I search in Google and add Camaro5 and get results 1000X faster.

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by Camaro_Mike

it may have been just your sensor, the samething happened to me about 3 weeks ago.

Hope so. Lot cheaper and means i still had oil pressure. Not sure how to check it myself without turning car on.

[ravensjeff]

Finally got my car repaired. As suspected, the pressure relief valve stuck on the stock oil pump causing no oil pressure.

No other damage was done. I ended up putting in a Melling oil pump.

A fair warning to all 2010 (and maybe others, not sure) owners that your oil pump could be next. I only have 34,000 miles on mine and change oil/filter religiously like I'm sure most do here. Doesn't matter; when its your time, its your time!!

TURN YOUR ENGINE OFF IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID ENGINE DAMAGE.

During research of this issue, many did not and had engine repair/replacements done. Some were covered under warranty; but no one is now. It is cash out-of-pocket.

[JLSuperfly]

So how much did the repair set you back?

[SS PANTHER]

Thanks for your update and the information. Glad to hear nothing else was affected.

[ravensjeff]

I had a few other unrelated things done, so rough guess just for the oil pump replacement was about $1,400 or so.

[gnturboray]

I went with the GM performance oil pump after my LS3 pump failed. Later found out that the performance pump is the same pump used in the L99's. No issues since.