Oil tube o-ring

[Buckshot jones]

Hi guys, new to this forum here. Anyways I just got an 05 Tahoe 5.3 330k from my boss and it's had a lifter ticking for a while now along with low oil pressure warning on the led panel. Cluster motors are shot so I can't see the actual pressure but from what I've read the oil tube oring from the pump is a known culprit. I'm wanting to try to replace it but all the write ups on it that I can find are a little too the point and not very detailed on how to get it out. I know you can go in from the front of the engine or drop the pan but like I said I can't find a step by step so if anyone has some insight on this, it would be greatly appreciated. It's also a 2wd so I'm not sure which would be easier. Dropping the pan or going thru the oil pump.

 

[zraffz]

At 330k it probably needs a motor lol.

It's a lot of work to do a pump or o-ring just to find out it's not the problem.

 

[OR VietVet]

It is a pickup tube o-ring and have to drop the pan to access and remove the tube for access. If you want to continue with the 330k engine, then replace the oil pump as well. I would also replace the oil pressure sender, again if you are keeping the engine. That is a lot of miles. You could have low oil pressure from too much bearing clearance as well. Check out you tube to see all this. Sometimes that is better than trying to type it all out. Replacing the sender would be the perfect time to attach a mechanical oil pressure gauge to see the readings.

 

[Rocket Man]

It's unlikely the O-ring is faulty unless the oil pump has been replaced recently and it got pinched when that was done. The O-rings generally don't just start deteriorating. But if you insist on replacing it, it would be foolish to not replace the pump at the same time.

 

[Buckshot jones]

Thanks for the info guys. Believe it or not the only thing engine wise that's been replaced on this is the water pump twice. I definitely want to keep the engine. I want to see how far it will go. Still runs great other than low oil pressure. My goal is to hit 500k. My boss kept up on fluid maintenance but that's about it lol

 

[zraffz]

I'd put in a high pressure melling pump to make yourself feel good about your beat motor... It will make you feel good seeing the oil pressure in it's proper location even though it won't be doing anything.

 

[Buckshot jones]

What do you mean it won't be doing anything?

 

[zraffz]

A high pressure pump might bring your motor from 5 psi up to 10 or 15 psi (let's say it brings it to 30, which wouldn't happen). Your oil pressure light only comes on at 5 psi or below if my memory serves me correctly.

Just because your gauge is reading 30 psi, it doesn't do anything more than provide a bandaid fix. Unless your low pressure is from a bad pump and not tolerances, it won't be a real fix and it certainly won't get you to 500k miles. For all we know, with the pressure that low, it could be a spun cam bearing which won't show any other ill effect symptoms such as knocking or significant metal shavings.

I'd verify oil pressure with a mechanical gauge before doing anything. If your pressure is even 15 psi or less, I'd truthfully just find another motor rather than waste $100 in parts/oil and a day of work.

 

[OR VietVet]

I agree. Get the mechanical reading first. Don't throw good money after bad. Wanting to get to 500k is all well and good but sometimes you just have to cut bait.

 

[brasil]

I would go for the mechanical reading first.. just to be sure about the real presure values
Then I would Switch to a 10W40 or even a10W50 Oil

Thats it.....