[TTown918]

Is the infamous oil pump failure issue a problem on both ZL1s and SS variants? Seems like I've only really noticed it around ZL1 forums. Also, has GM solved the problem (new or different pump) on the last few model years or is it still prevalent (or likely to be with miles)?

Thanks.

[N Camarolina]

I haven't seen many posts on SS variants having oil pump failures, but I lost my LT1 in my 2021 SS 1LE this past Feb while at the track with 5700 miles on the odo. Also heard that some of the companies that rent out SS 1LEs for track use have all had their engines fail, and that GM has quietly redesigned the oil pump 4 times since 2016.

In my case, GM tore down the engine only far enough to say I had 1 or 2 spun rod bearings, but I believe the oil pump failed. In reviewing the PDR data, the first thing that started going wrong was the oil pressure no longer bumped up into the 55-58 psi range at high engine revs like it usually does (the LT1 has a two-stage pump that boosts PSI at approx 5800 RPM), even though pressure was still normal below 5800 rpm on all segments of the track. Then, on the next lap, oil temp started rising above normal track temp, followed by small losses in oil pressure in most track segments. Finally, horsepower output took a noisedive and oil pressure went to 0. So either GM haven't solved the problem or my oil pump had a one-off manufacturing defect.

Having said all that, there are many who track their SS 1LEs often and have not had oil pump failures. And most SS Camaros (1LEs included) never set foot on a track. The track is a totally different operating environment for your engine than just running it on the road. On the track you are repeatedly revving out the engine lap after lap for 20-30 minutes, and are too pre-occupied with other tasks on all but long straight aways to be able to look at the DIC or oil pressure gauge for a warning signs, thus prolonging the engine stress should something start to go wrong. On the road, you can't stress the engine nearly as much and there are inevitable pauses in high-octane activity that would allow you notice small engine noise changes, pressure readings, and DIC warning messages. This creates the opportunity to shut the engine down and get it to the dealer before significant damage occurs.

[MatthewAMEL]

Friend just lost his 2022 SS 1LE at CMP yesterday. At the dealer in Charlotte now waiting on diagnosis. His car had 3,800 miles.

[N Camarolina]

Originally Posted by MatthewAMEL

Friend just lost his 2022 SS 1LE at CMP yesterday. At the dealer in Charlotte now waiting on diagnosis. His car had 3,800 miles.

Sorry to hear about your friend's '22. Does he have a PDR?

Would be great to hear what if anything he noticed before it died and what the PDR data for RPM, oil pressure and oil temp looked like leading up to the failure. Or better yet, share the file and I'll be happy to look at in PI toolbox.

[MatthewAMEL]

Update: Not an oil issue. He 'money shifted'.


GM is replacing anyway and threw in a free admonition to not do that again.

[arpad_m]

Not for nothing, but GM weren't willing to add auto dimming mirror glass to the passenger side, which would probably cost a mere $10 per vehicle (and that's just one example of penny pinching)... yet they are okay with replacing someone's entire LT1 engine when they money shift... sounds like the classic "left hand has no idea what right hand's doing" to me.

[taylorforschool@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Not for nothing, but GM weren't willing to add auto dimming mirror glass to the passenger side, which would probably cost a mere $10 per vehicle (and that's just one example of penny pinching)... yet they are okay with replacing someone's entire LT1 engine when they money shift... sounds like the classic "left hand has no idea what right hand's doing" to me.

When I first noticed this on my mirrors I thought I was crazy or the previous owner might have done something… lol

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by taylorforschool@gmail.com

When I first noticed this on my mirrors I thought I was crazy or the previous owner might have done something… lol

Heck, I even went to the trouble of "finding" and ordering some magical auto-dimming mirror glass for the passenger side that ended up being the exact same non-dimming part despite the online info... Then someone from the company that makes the mirrors for gm chimed in and told us the sad truth, that's how I know.

Checking the window sticker confirmed his info, it does say "power side mirrors driver side auto-dimming", so their collective rears are covered


EDIT: OP, sorry about the hijack, I've piped down. You are already aware of the ZL1 oil pump failure poll thread, I presume, and how failures taper off hard after 2019.