[Seventh Camaro]

Originally Posted by Tonys10SS

So, moving from a 1972 Chevelle SS with a 620 horsepower big block under the hood, I am looking for a new toy and finally test drove a 2022 ZL1 and immediately fell in love! That car ended up selling which is no big deal but have found a 2018 ZL1 with about 16000 miles on it. Besides the oil pump failures on the 2017-2018 models, is there anything on these cars mechanically to look for? Obviously it's a used car but very low mileage for the year! I would more than likely look at an extended warranty and just pay for that, but the way I see it is if the pump fails I would more than likely cam it and do a build on it anyway.


The car overall seems very clean, 1 owner, A10, low miles and has red seat belts with the carbon fiber hood insert as well.The car has no modifications at all other than windows tint and smoked side markers. I do know the tunes on the engines changed in 2019 slightly but that is not a signicant difference to me anyway. I am going to go take a look and see if I can't find anything wrong with the car and hopefully report back with good news!

I also am in the market for a used ZL1. Is there a specific build date range where the oil pumps were bad? If someone is to purchase a used ZL1, how can it be verified if the oil pump fix was done, perhaps service records? And, if I do find a used ZL1 and want to avoid the oil pump issue, rough idea of cost to have dealer do the fix? I'd like to find a pre 2019, but this oil pump issue makes me a bit nervous. I'm assuming the engine has to come out to replace the oil pump?

[Tonys10SS]

Originally Posted by CalgaryZL1

That is very true, it’s the whole approach of the situation, maybe he thought he was going to get jacked because of the forwardness of the communication wanting to view the car as soon as possible?

Maybe, but I spoke with the guy the day prior and told him I was coming from Tallahassee to Jacksonville, so it is a 2 to 2.5 hour drive. Radio silence basically halfway through the day after making sure in the morning he was good to show the car. So your guess is as good as mine, plus how he was on the phone with my fiance just made it sound like he was not interested. Regardless, there will be other cars so the search continues.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Seventh Camaro

I also am in the market for a used ZL1. Is there a specific build date range where the oil pumps were bad? If someone is to purchase a used ZL1, how can it be verified if the oil pump fix was done, perhaps service records? And, if I do find a used ZL1 and want to avoid the oil pump issue, rough idea of cost to have dealer do the fix? I'd like to find a pre 2019, but this oil pump issue makes me a bit nervous. I'm assuming the engine has to come out to replace the oil pump?

There is relatively little information (surprise, surprise...) and much conjecture about this LT4 oil pump issue. Here's what we do know for certain:

• oil pump failures on 2017 and 2018 model year cars polled significantly higher at this site in the ZL1 subforum, see screenshot below
• the failure mode is exactly the same in almost every case, the part cracks at the same exact location in each affected vehicle
• GM had at least four revisions of this oil pump
• Katech tested all GM pump revisions and found that they all failed load testing, but the newest revision(s) were able to withstand higher loads before failure

However, what we are only guessing at is when these stronger GM oil pumps began to make it into ZL1s, and how durable they actually are, given the discrepancy between the poll and Katech's results, of which I would put more trust in the latter (especially since some people polled with a 2016 car when the first model year of the ZL1 was 2017).

Katech are also manufacturing and selling a high quality replacement oil pump that has a stronger design and zero failures to date, at least none documented in this forum.

If I were in the market for a ZL1, I would buy a 2018 and consider the cost of immediate oil pump replacement with the Katech pump as part of my purchase price. GM's service history may or may not show any oil pump replacement, but a conscious seller who already installed a new (hopefully Katech) oil pump will be able to present the invoice.

I have not personally replaced the pump on my LT1, but yes, the engine has to be partially disassembled for this job.

[Curr]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

There is relatively little information (surprise, surprise...) and much conjecture about this LT4 oil pump issue. Here's what we do know for certain:

• oil pump failures on 2017 and 2018 model year cars polled significantly higher at this site in the ZL1 subforum, see screenshot below
• the failure mode is exactly the same in almost every case, the part cracks at the same exact location in each affected vehicle
• GM had at least four revisions of this oil pump
• Katech tested all GM pump revisions and found that they all failed load testing, but the newest revision(s) were able to withstand higher loads before failure

However, what we are only guessing at is when these stronger GM oil pumps began to make it into ZL1s, and how durable they actually are, given the discrepancy between the poll and Katech's results, of which I would put more trust in the latter (especially since some people polled with a 2016 car when the first model year of the ZL1 was 2017).

Katech are also manufacturing and selling a high quality replacement oil pump that has a stronger design and zero failures to date, at least none documented in this forum.

If I were in the market for a ZL1, I would buy a 2018 and consider the cost of immediate oil pump replacement with the Katech pump as part of my purchase price. GM's service history may or may not show any oil pump replacement, but a conscious seller who already installed a new (hopefully Katech) oil pump will be able to present the invoice.

I have not personally replaced the pump on my LT1, but yes, the engine has to be partially disassembled for this job.

++All of this.

[Fenmore]

To add to what arpad_m said, I was quoted $2500 for labor to install a cam and headers from a reputable performance shop around Chicago. I would imagine the oil pump would fall into this category as far as labor cost. I don't remember if that $2500 included a tune or not since it was a few months ago.
The Katech pump is about $550 I think.

[taylorforschool@gmail.com]

I have a 2018 May build, knock on wood.. still under warranty until 2027. Everybody advice is sound especially arpads. In my opinion you will have to shell out a couple more thousand to get what you are talking about or will have to make some more compromises.

[Tonys10SS]

Originally Posted by taylorforschool@gmail.com

I have a 2018 May build, knock on wood.. still under warranty until 2027. Everybody advice is sound especially arpads. In my opinion you will have to shell out a couple more thousand to get what you are talking about or will have to make some more compromises.

Oh yeah, I have been around the GM game, selling parts and what not and lurking on forums enough to know the issues but other than the 2017-2018 oil pumps, that is the only thing. But I have found a 2019 ZL1 in Riverside Blue which I also like. Never owned a blue car before so that is an interesting turn for me, seeing as how they have all been either black or white and then there was the Go Mango! Challenger T/A I owned as well! This one I like and I like the options plus the mileage and the price versus the 2018 is not far off either!

http://www.843auto.com/used/Chevrole...66a751ed81.htm

[CalgaryZL1]

Originally Posted by Tonys10SS

Oh yeah, I have been around the GM game, selling parts and what not and lurking on forums enough to know the issues but other than the 2017-2018 oil pumps, that is the only thing. But I have found a 2019 ZL1 in Riverside Blue which I also like. Never owned a blue car before so that is an interesting turn for me, seeing as how they have all been either black or white and then there was the Go Mango! Challenger T/A I owned as well! This one I like and I like the options plus the mileage and the price versus the 2018 is not far off either!

http://www.843auto.com/used/Chevrole...66a751ed81.htm

I think it’s a little on the high side but if it’s a colour you can live with and it passes a smell test?

[Evansa22]

If you decide to go with a 2018, would definitely recommend a katech oil pump. Mine has a build date of 05/2018 and pump failed at around 12k miles. Motor needs to be pulled, or that's the best way to go about it. If you're gonna have the oil pump swapped, pay the extra money for a cam and other valvetrain upgrades. Ported heads aren't necessary but worth maybe an additional 25hp. Not as big a deal on boosted motors but the engine will run more efficiently with them. Paid around
$9k between all the upgrades that went along with the oil pump and labor. Good luck, and if you have any questions feel free to shoot me a PM. I would base your decision off whether you want a pre, or post refresh zl1. If you really want a pre 2019, then definitely factor in the cost of oil pump replacement as well as whatever upgrades your heart may desire.

[zain]

could someone post the part number for the latest GM oil pump revision?

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by zain

could someone post the part number for the latest GM oil pump revision?

12686434

[zain]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

12686434

Thanks!

[Tonys10SS]

Well I figured I would update the thread regarding the 2018 ZL1 I was looking at and close this one out before moving on to a build thread of sorts. The 2018 fell through, but I have purchased a 2017 ZL1 A10 in Hyper Blue, 13,XXX miles, with the carbon fiber hood insert, and PDR. Has some nice upgrades like the 1LE rear wing which I love! Going to the dealership Saturday to pick her up! I am so excited to get behind the wheel of this thing!

[arpad_m]

Congrats Tony, you will be on cloud nine when you drive this beauty

Don't forget about the updated oil pump, the concern applies to the 2017 model year just the same.