Evaluating Bad Oil Pump? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Kman866 · 09-25-2017, 12:52 PM

Good Afternoon guys.

Currently got a 2010 SS. I purchased the car used with 42k Miles on it, currently sitting at 52K miles on it. Haven't had any issues with it, and since I got it I've dropped a Corsa exhaust in it as well as american racing headers.

Was driving to work the other day and hit the entrance ramp onto the highway. Hit fourth at about 2800-3000RPM, got the dreaded low pressure warning, so immediately threw the car into neutral and came off the throttle. RPM's went back to normal and oil pressure returned to normal on the gauge(floating around 30-40) Threw it back into fourth and noticed on acceleration the oil pressure would tank, so pulled into a parking lot. Pressure at idle was just fine, but noticed the needle would move noticably during throttle. Got the car to work just fine with no abnormal noises or ticks.

Drove it home just fine, no issues at all, checked to ensure oil filter was on tight and it was. Checked the oil and it was very low even though the computer said it was sitting at 35%. Changed the oil completely and went for a test drive, problem persists.

Anyone got any idea what is going on here? Is this the oil pump, and should I go ahead and replace it with a melling high flow?
Other option i've been debating is having it cammed, and Vengeance Racing replaces the oil pump during their install. Think I should go this route and hit it all in one swing?

Any information helps, trying to evaluate the problem and don't want to damage my engine at all.

Here is a video of it happening as I was on the highway headed to work.

hunter1660 · 09-25-2017, 04:19 PM

The 35% has nothing to do with oil level. It's the oil life monitor that is used by some to determine when to change the oil.

HOJO · 09-25-2017, 04:27 PM

Wonder if it's the oil pressure relay/sensor going bad? It's weird that pressure is fine at cruising speed but falls off under acceleration

hunter1660 · 09-25-2017, 04:29 PM

That's weird on the pressure movement. The sending unit may be at fault. A mechanical gauge will determine the problem. It definitely needs a cure either way

Kman866 · 09-25-2017, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunter1660

That's weird on the pressure movement. The sending unit may be at fault. A mechanical gauge will determine the problem. It definitely needs a cure either way

So what is your suggestion here, first replace the oil pressure relay/sensor? Would some sort of mechanical gauge determine if the unit was faulty? Car seemed to be running just fine other than the pressure tanking on the gauge.

hunter1660 · 09-25-2017, 05:31 PM

Unless your capable of DIY ...Take it to a reputable shop or dealership with the latter being the less desirable.

hunter1660 · 09-25-2017, 05:38 PM

I see your a new member. You might look in the regional section and find someone near you willing to give you a hand. When the engine is starved of oil it will sound like it's coming apart,because it is. Oil and pressure are critical.

rwhxk3 · 09-30-2017, 03:10 AM

From what I’ve heard, the oil pumps are faulty in the early 5th gen camaros.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

HOJO · 09-30-2017, 10:50 AM

If the relay/sensor is cheap enough I would replace it first and see what changes if anything. Sensor sound be, I believe, at the back of the intake by the firewall on drivers side. Should be able to do this yourself.

If there is no change then have it checked with a mechanical gauge. Hope it is just your sensor. Good luck.

Kman866 · 10-02-2017, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOJO

If the relay/sensor is cheap enough I would replace it first and see what changes if anything. Sensor sound be, I believe, at the back of the intake by the firewall on drivers side. Should be able to do this yourself.

If there is no change then have it checked with a mechanical gauge. Hope it is just your sensor. Good luck.

Anything I should know for replacing the sensor? Or is it just plug and play? Ordering this tonight -
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/c...1444223,engine

ACDelco# 12673134

Rock-It Man · 10-03-2017, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kman866

Anything I should know for replacing the sensor? Or is it just plug and play? Ordering this tonight -
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/c...1444223,engine

ACDelco# 12673134

You should follow the wire from the sensor to see if it is damaged.

Particularly because you have headers installed.

Skipp65 · 10-03-2017, 07:27 AM

You said the oil level was low, this is more than likely what was causing the oil pressure to drop. With low enough oil level and the car moving ie going around turns- on off brakes, the oil pick up sucks air and will fluctuate the gauge.

Kman866 · 10-04-2017, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipp65

You said the oil level was low, this is more than likely what was causing the oil pressure to drop. With low enough oil level and the car moving ie going around turns- on off brakes, the oil pick up sucks air and will fluctuate the gauge.

Replaced the oil and its still happening, same exact problem when I took it for a drive.

hunter1660 · 10-04-2017, 09:06 PM

Did you replace the sensor

09-25-2017, 04:19 PM	#2
hunter1660 Drives: 2011ss/rs camaro Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: florida Posts: 1,261	The 35% has nothing to do with oil level. It's the oil life monitor that is used by some to determine when to change the oil. __________________ . OBX LTH,Rotofab,Magnuson Heartbeat.AEM wideband, HP Tuners

09-25-2017, 04:29 PM	#4
hunter1660 Drives: 2011ss/rs camaro Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: florida Posts: 1,261	That's weird on the pressure movement. The sending unit may be at fault. A mechanical gauge will determine the problem. It definitely needs a cure either way __________________ . OBX LTH,Rotofab,Magnuson Heartbeat.AEM wideband, HP Tuners

09-25-2017, 05:31 PM	#6
hunter1660 Drives: 2011ss/rs camaro Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: florida Posts: 1,261	Unless your capable of DIY ...Take it to a reputable shop or dealership with the latter being the less desirable. __________________ . OBX LTH,Rotofab,Magnuson Heartbeat.AEM wideband, HP Tuners

09-25-2017, 05:38 PM	#7
hunter1660 Drives: 2011ss/rs camaro Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: florida Posts: 1,261	I see your a new member. You might look in the regional section and find someone near you willing to give you a hand. When the engine is starved of oil it will sound like it's coming apart,because it is. Oil and pressure are critical. __________________ . OBX LTH,Rotofab,Magnuson Heartbeat.AEM wideband, HP Tuners

10-04-2017, 09:06 PM	#14
hunter1660 Drives: 2011ss/rs camaro Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: florida Posts: 1,261	Did you replace the sensor __________________ . OBX LTH,Rotofab,Magnuson Heartbeat.AEM wideband, HP Tuners

09-25-2017, 04:27 PM	#3
HOJO Drives: 2014 Camaro SS/RS 1LE 1967 Camaro Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 874	Wonder if it's the oil pressure relay/sensor going bad? It's weird that pressure is fine at cruising speed but falls off under acceleration

09-30-2017, 03:10 AM	#8
rwhxk3 S1N1STR Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 1,091 View My Garage	From what I’ve heard, the oil pumps are faulty in the early 5th gen camaros. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

09-30-2017, 10:50 AM	#9
HOJO Drives: 2014 Camaro SS/RS 1LE 1967 Camaro Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 874	If the relay/sensor is cheap enough I would replace it first and see what changes if anything. Sensor sound be, I believe, at the back of the intake by the firewall on drivers side. Should be able to do this yourself. If there is no change then have it checked with a mechanical gauge. Hope it is just your sensor. Good luck.

10-03-2017, 07:27 AM	#12
Skipp65 Drives: 03 suburban 72 gto 11 2ss 6m Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Pa Posts: 35	You said the oil level was low, this is more than likely what was causing the oil pressure to drop. With low enough oil level and the car moving ie going around turns- on off brakes, the oil pick up sucks air and will fluctuate the gauge.