[SFV1LE]

Originally Posted by GT-ER

Yes, same pump.

As for those wondering if the engine would see some damage with no oil pressure at idle/low rpms, it really wouldn't...not unless you drove it like a mile like this. Heck, I've worked on enough cars with oil pressure issues to know that engines can take a real beating cause even with no oil they can last a surprising amount of time, like SEVERAL minutes with zero issues.

Are you saying they can last at zero oil pressure for several minutes at WOT also? I dont think you're saying this, only at idle or low RPMs and low load/no boost right? Because I know of several engine failures due to oil starvation caused by a single very high G turn, even with dry sump (LS7).

[SJFGTO]

Some vehicles may last longer than others before sustaining damage with essentially zero oil pressure, but it is not an across the board rule that engine damage only occurs after x minutes. There are a host of variables. My GTO went less than one minute at less than 2500 rpms and ate it’s own top end. My former law partners mini van went roughly 3 miles with zero oil after some bonehead at a quickie lube forgot to fill it with new oil. No doubt it accelerated internal wear, but there was no “damage”. In any event, it’s a crap shoot at best. I hope GM steps up and addresses this issue.

[GT-ER]

Originally Posted by SFV1LE

Are you saying they can last at zero oil pressure for several minutes at WOT also? I dont think you're saying this, only at idle or low RPMs and low load/no boost right? Because I know of several engine failures due to oil starvation caused by a single very high G turn, even with dry sump (LS7).

Only idle/low rpms. WOT with no oil pressure can kill an engine quickly. Most of these failures (if not all, can't remember) have been at low throttle/idle conditions. I wouldn't worry about any engine damage if this was the case.

[collinms]

Final update... Picked up the car finally because I was out of town. Oil pump replacement part number 12686434. My service advisor didn't know if it's an update part, my guess is no. Okay so I have some things for you guys to look out for. I'm a very observant person so here are my observations about a month prior to the failure. First off, when your engine oil is hot your oil pressure will drop to 20 at idle. Currently with the new pump its now 30. Also I noticed that your oil pressure will quickly dip below 20 just as you stop for a red light and will quickly recover to 20ish. I had this for a month or two before it failed. Just something to look out for, I certainly will going forward incase it happens again so I can catch it before it fails.

[SFV1LE]

Originally Posted by collinms

Final update... Picked up the car finally because I was out of town. Oil pump replacement part number 12686434. My service advisor didn't know if it's an update part, my guess is no. Okay so I have some things for you guys to look out for. I'm a very observant person so here are my observations about a month prior to the failure. First off, when your engine oil is hot your oil pressure will drop to 20 at idle. Currently with the new pump its now 30. Also I noticed that your oil pressure will quickly dip below 20 just as you stop for a red light and will quickly recover to 20ish. I had this for a month or two before it failed. Just something to look out for, I certainly will going forward incase it happens again so I can catch it before it fails.

Thanks for these tips, very useful!

I'm hoping Katech builds a blueprinted version of the stock pump soon like they did for the Gen 5. Katech claims their blueprinted wet sump pumps are guaranteed failure free. This would be a stock part that's been checked for potential problems and perhaps deburred and other imperfections removed, so it may be considered an OEM part with no warranty issues.

[FoundNemo]

In for updates.

[Zigg L1]

Bump. Just because this came up in another thread.

[MakCamaro]

Following as well.

[ZX-10R]

If oil pressure drops to 20 GM should replace the pump before it actually fails and potentially damages the engine

[Dave777]

Originally Posted by ZX-10R

If oil pressure drops to 20 GM should replace the pump before it actually fails and potentially damages the engine

What if technician and service writer says pressure is normal... ?

[Trak-Toy]

Originally Posted by Dave777

What if technician and service writer says pressure is normal... ?

Good question. My plan if presented with this situation with my ZLE, I will pay out of pocket to have the pump replaced. I won’t wait until the inevitable catastrophe occurs because it’s my opinion that when you get to this point,failure is unavoidable and I rather get the pump out and replaced before it shatters completely, sending metal debris throughout my oiling system. With the damaged pump in hand, it should be obvious that it failed and then I will fight with GM Warranty services if still under the power train warranty period. I’ll have the GM dealership install the new pump and hope for the best with GM. May not be successful in getting reimbursed, but the pump would have to be replaced regardless, so it is what it is.

I will say, I had a similar situation with a former Toyota Tundra that had a faulty rear axle bearing. They initially denied the claim. I had it replaced regardless, because it needed it. Fought with Toyota customer care and they reversed their initial decision and refunded the repair costs under a ‘customer loyalty’ program. The fact the repair and replacement parts were all done by Toyota weighed heavily on their decision making process. I will attack this oil pump issue the same way and hope for a similar result, if that becomes a reality with this ZLE.

[ZX-10R]

Originally Posted by Trak-Toy

Good question. My plan if presented with this situation with my ZLE, I will pay out of pocket to have the pump replaced. I won’t wait until the inevitable catastrophe occurs because it’s my opinion that when you get to this point, failure is unavoidable and I rather get the pump out and replaced before it shatters completely, sending metal debris throughout my oiling system. With the damaged pump in hand, it should be obvious that it failed and then I will fight with GM Warranty services if still under the power train warranty period.

Good plan, although sounds like it would be a real fight.

However, what I really like about your idea is we could see where these pumps are starting to stress crack (or whatever is happening) before they actually come apart - imo that's cause for class action lawsuit against GM for a bad design. If they fixed it for '19 I'd like to know exactly what was changed.

[MakCamaro]

Just a thought that might be useful for anyone with the oil pump issue in the future. Can someone accurately list the part numbers needed for replacing the oil pump? Just in case the rest of us ever need this information...

[Alponcho]

If one paid to have a dealer replace an oil pump preemptively (with OEM part), would the factory warranty still be good? And would a dealer even do this?