Gonna tackle my oil pump, who has done it?

[NateDiggity]

I'm going to tackle the oil pump on my wife's 07 Yukon Denali. We have an oil pressure issue at hot idle (10-15 psi) and I have done the "Cheaper fixes" first:

Oil pressure sensor
New filter/oil
Valve lifter oil filter
etc

I am not even totally certain its the pump, it could be the:

Pump
O ring on pickup
Oil Bypass sticking
Cam bearings
main bearings
etc.


With that said, the pump is my next step, and if I'm in there to replace the o ring I may as well put the $85 pump in too.

I am going to be following these write ups:

http://www.silveradosierra.com/vort...p-tube-replacement-advice-needed-t317794.html

http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=4

but still have just a few questions.

One is reinstalling the harmonic balancer, I have read NO DONT EVER TIGHTEN WITH BOLT as it will strip, others say its fine, other say do it a little bit with bolt, hit with a hammer (w/wooden block) etc... <b>How did you do it??</b>

2) Does anyone know if the part number for the crank bolt and seal are the same for all LS style engines? I have part numbers on the ls1 write up but dont know if they are accurate?

3) The LS1 write up mentions dropping the oil pan an inch or two, is this possible on the AWD denali? I am going to try really hard to not have to drop the pan, because I want to avoid the hassle of the crossmember, steering rack, front diff, etc etc.

<b>Any other tips or tricks</b>? I plan on doing my thermostat when Im in there, and look forward to replacing some of my coolant as I dont know when it was last changed. After that we are on to new fluid in the transmission/filter.


Thanks

 

[BlackOh7on22s]

Ive done it w/o dropping the pan. I have the balancer install tool so thats the way Ive always done it. But ive heard other people say you can knock it on and pull it in w/ the bolt before. Id rather be safe then sorry though. I use a open end wrench to loosen the oil pickup bolt then spin it w/ a small flathead screwdriver and a magnet to help keep it from falling in.Then its the same thing putting the bolt back in The seal and balancer bolt I always just buy from the dealer or use an ARP balancer bolt. But heres a pic for reference on pickup tube bolt. This is from when I did cam and other stuff on the old Tahoe

 

[NateDiggity]

were you able to reinstall the bolt the same way, or did you grind the tab and spun the flange?

Also, thought of another question, do you have to shim the oil pump when putting it on? I have seen some LS guys say to do it, others make no mention of it.

Did you remove the internal gears when reinstalling yours with the oil pan still on, or were you able to fight it without?

Thanks, I appreciate the reply

 

[02Lightning]

Did you replace the oil pressure sensor filter? it sits just below the sensor, and requires a pick to get out of the hole.
http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/169782-attention-anyone-with-oil-pressure-issues/

 

[BlackOh7on22s]

were you able to reinstall the bolt the same way, or did you grind the tab and spun the flange?

Also, thought of another question, do you have to shim the oil pump when putting it on? I have seen some LS guys say to do it, others make no mention of it.

Did you remove the internal gears when reinstalling yours with the oil pan still on, or were you able to fight it without?

Thanks, I appreciate the reply

Reinstalled same way, when you done tons of the LS engines it becomes very easy to do Lol
Never shimmed my pump, are you talking about shimming it for a double roller timing chain?
I just kinda lined my gears up then put back in place I guess you could say

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

its never a good idea to tackle something yer trying to fix it never helps especially if your tackling something like an oilpump thats still on the vehicle so in this case youd be tackling yer tahoe and its never wise to tackle a full size suv itll hurt alot and the worst part is the tahoe will literally feel no pain

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

sorry my dry sense of humor gets the best of me

 

[Brian Wilson]

I thought it was funny