[Firecaptain]

No.......but of course......anything can happen.......

Originally Posted by ZL1plumbin

Oil pump still an issue on newer cars 20’ and up?

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by DangerZL1

Did GM change the pump design after 2018 to fix this problem?

GM switched the factory oil fill to 0W 40 for the 2019 MY LT1, LT4 and LT5 engines. If you think about it, the reports of failed oil pumps has been almost non-existent for cars built after the switch.

So yes, there was a significant change after 2018. Maybe not to the pump but to the weight of the oil.

[DangerZL1]

Thanks. I wouldn’t have suspected the oil viscosity and ESP formula would have been the fix.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by DangerZL1

Thanks. I wouldn’t have suspected the oil viscosity and ESP formula would have been the fix.

Obviously, I have no way of proving the change in viscosity fixed the problem. But it seems awfully coincidental that you don't hear much about pump failures for 2019 and up models. I could be wrong but I don't believe the part number for the pump has changed.

These engines hold 10 quarts of oil. And as someone else mentioned, some folks tend to beat on their cars before the oil is fully warmed up. The large volume of cold viscus oil was too much for some pumps to push around. Again, I'm just speculating. I have no proof the change in oil did anything. I'm just putting two and two together.

[LT4Greg]

I agree about romping on the engine or revving when the oil is cold too. Makes no sense to do that!

[Badmojo]

I don't think the 0W-40 ESP switch is related to the oil pump failures, which appears to be a material defect in some pumps.


The development of 0W-40 ESP was originally due to the Corvette and was a hand-me-down to the Camaro. The additive package is meant to not foul catalytic converters.

Originally Posted by hawk02

Obviously, I have no way of proving the change in viscosity fixed the problem. But it seems awfully coincidental that you don't hear much about pump failures for 2019 and up models. I could be wrong but I don't believe the part number for the pump has changed.

These engines hold 10 quarts of oil. And as someone else mentioned, some folks tend to beat on their cars before the oil is fully warmed up. The large volume of cold viscus oil was too much for some pumps to push around. Again, I'm just speculating. I have no proof the change in oil did anything. I'm just putting two and two together.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by Badmojo

I don't think the 0W-40 ESP switch is related to the oil pump failures, which appears to be a material defect in some pumps.


The development of 0W-40 ESP was originally due to the Corvette and was a hand-me-down to the Camaro. The additive package is meant to not foul catalytic converters.

I get that. But why change viscosity? And especially after the engines had been in the cars for 3-4 model years already. Why not put the additive package in a 5W 30 oil?

I suppose you could argue the viscosity change was so the same oil could be used for the street and the track. However, I didn't hear many owners complaining about having to change their oil for track use. And the ZL1 1LE and '19 ZR1 still required different oil so it wasn't universal to all models.

You're probably right, the change in viscosity had nothing to do with the oil pump failures. But it seems an awfully strong coincidence. And besides, I always enjoy a good conspiracy theory.

[swisstyphoon]

Originally Posted by hawk02

I get that. But why change viscosity? And especially after the engines had been in the cars for 3-4 model years already. Why not put the additive package in a 5W 30 oil?

I suppose you could argue the viscosity change was so the same oil could be used for the street and the track. However, I didn't hear many owners complaining about having to change their oil for track use. And the ZL1 1LE and '19 ZR1 still required different oil so it wasn't universal to all models.

You're probably right, the change in viscosity had nothing to do with the oil pump failures. But it seems an awfully strong coincidence. And besides, I always enjoy a good conspiracy theory.

I'm sure the oil viscosity has nothing to do with the oil pump failures. Here's what they say about the switch to 0W-40

[ZX-10R]

I don't think it's related either, cold viscosity and pour point for 0W-40 and 5W-30 are pretty close - "the "0" is more of a marketing gimmick

Katech told me they can't tell a difference in the '19 and up pump

[pauly1119]

Ive been running 0W-40 from day one.

[LT4Greg]

I use 5w30 in mine and have almost 22,000 miles and so far no issues. Keeping tabs on it anyway because my drivetrain warranty is up next April.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by ZX-10R

I don't think it's related either, cold viscosity and pour point for 0W-40 and 5W-30 are pretty close - "the "0" is more of a marketing gimmick

Katech told me they can't tell a difference in the '19 and up pump

My ZL1 was built in October of 2016 and I took delivery in November 2016 so it's from the first production run. I switched over to Mobile 1 ESP 0W 40 in May of 2018 as soon I heard about the factory fill change for 2019.

You can all call me crazy, but I noticed a subtle improvement in my car's performance immediately upon changing to the 0W 40 weight oil. My car had a bit more pep and smoother acceleration. Nothing night or day but it was significant enough to notice. I would have never thought a slight change in oil viscosity would make a difference in performance but it did.

I know this is going to sound crazy but the change to 0W 40 oil is one of best mods done to my car.

[6spdhyperblue]

US gasoline switched to a lower sulfur limit in 2018 and you can’t run dexos2 with high levels of sulfur…diesel or gasoline

[6spdhyperblue]

Originally Posted by hawk02

My ZL1 was built in October of 2016 and I took delivery in November 2016 so it's from the first production run. I switched over to Mobile 1 ESP 0W 40 in May of 2018 as soon I heard about the factory fill change for 2019.

You can all call me crazy, but I noticed a subtle improvement in my car's performance immediately upon changing to the 0W 40 weight oil. My car had a bit more pep and smoother acceleration. Nothing night or day but it was significant enough to notice. I would have never thought a slight change in oil viscosity would make a difference in performance but it did.

I know this is going to sound crazy but the change to 0W 40 oil is one of best mods done to my car.

Maybe provided better stability in the cam phaser