LS ENGINE LOW OIL PRESSURE 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 Most common causes and fixes

LS ENGINE LOW OIL PRESSURE 4.8. 5.3, 6.0
Most common causes and fixes

[@thomcat57]

I had a low oil oressure problem with my 09 silverado 5.3, hovered around 18-20 lbs, even on a cold morning start, twenty degrees,kinda erratic at times (a little higher)and I had read on a forum that some people have had oil filter change fix the problem,being the cheapest and easiest fix I decided to try that first,truck was not due an oil change so I changed the filter only, I was running a fram filter,replaced it with a wix and the oil pressure came back up to 40 lbs.

[@1STSUN5THCHILD]

Just did that yesterday same result

[@jefffrayer8238]

I quit Fram years ago and glad I switched to NAPA Gold, K&N, AC Delco and watch Y.T. comparison vids.

[@jeffdavis1458]

I have a 2000 5.3 Silverado & my situation was exactly the same as yours. Had a fram filter & changed to wix. My pressure is now 40 - 45 psi.

[@jamesspash5561]

A huge item everyone misses. Check the Volm manifold bolts. Guaranteed you'll find them lose. Easy test, check the front two just under the air intake. if they are lose so are many others. You will have to remove the intake manifold to get to the rest. If you sender screen is dirty/plugged, your not changing the oil often enough. That should never be an issue if your changing your oil. If your concerned with you oil pressure, just behind the alternator is a gallery plug direct from the oil pump. Plumb into that spot and you'll have 10-20 psi over shown on scan tool or gauge.

[@DIABLO_4_Tester_Sacramento]

My 2011 camaro L99 6.2 now has the (floating) 14-16 psi idle on hot engine 250F and 26 psi when temp is around 225F. Cold idle is 50 Psi. Oil pump and pickup tube are new. No metal signs in the oil filter. I can hear very light crank bearing sound that could be hear Only under the car. Ticking lifters sound (as usual) presents. Could you please advise is it normal ? 115K Mileage 5W30 outside temp 105F

[@comaradelee]

ff

[@comaradelee]

@@DIABLO_4_Tester_Sacramento ff

[@pcdetail602]

Hey bud I'm having very low pressure on my 07 tahoe 5.3 I replaced oil pump and pressure switch and screen and oil and oil filter. Pressure gradually goes down after the engine is very warm and it has been driven for about a hour. It goes to about 10 psi and if I turn off and back on it goes back to normal and then eventually it'll drop down again after a while

[@pcdetail602]

What's the volm bolts ? Is this under the fuel intake manifold ?

[@richardcaston9366]

An oil pump from a variable valve timing engine, new O rings,clean the oil pan and screan

[@Arthur-sz7uf]

Very informative video. Thanks again.

[@shrimp8004]

On my 4.8 cranked up 45 pds dropped to 25. I. 300.000 miles keep good oil n it reg changes

[@ryanodneal7001]

I read the comments but my issue is different. I get 2-3 seconds of no oil pressure on first start of the day, after that it's 1 second to good pressure. I can hear the rockers when no oil pressure for 2-3 seconds (first start of the day). I suspect it's the cam bearings. I replaced them on this engine. (Wow they are tough to install). Came here hoping for a better fix but pressure sure one of my cam bearings has slipped. LS engines weakpoint is the cam bearings.

[@ChrisMcCutcheon-wj2pp]

If you are installing cam bearings at home, I highly recommend put them in freezer to shrink them, if you have a cam bearing installer, do this trick they will not spin again

[@A2J_Tim]

the cam bearing sliding out uncovers the oil passage, letting oil pressure bleed with out going between the bearing and the cam, it just bleeds back to the pan significantly dropping the oil pressure.

[@josedelossantos4313]

Thanks, very useful informations.

[@holeshot1721]

Whats normal oil pressure. My truck is getting 20 ish at idle then goes up to like 40-50 ish when driving! I just changed the oil its super fresh.

[@eduardorojas7873]

Same man I be asking the same thing I'm at 30 at idle 😭 and 50-60 @ 70mph

[@1STSUN5THCHILD]

Mines reads the same 20 at idle 40+ in motion. Just changed oil, the sensor and switched to a wix oil filter so far so good

[@DaytoDay661]

If its not the pump ring, the switch, filter or pump itself... there 3 things left haha its a headache. Possible cam bearing, posible cylinder deactivation solenoid gaskets and the last one... the lifters eventhough they might not make noise. You can see the lifter work after you remove valve cover and see if they are pissing to the wind.

[@EricSanders-u1x]

I have a 2019 Chevy Silverado. L. D and my oil pressure is down to about 30 and when I hit the gas, it goes up and then maintain the speed and it drops back down to 40.

[@olhemi1]

Nice job on your video, thanks

[@DIABLO_4_Tester_Sacramento]

My 2011 camaro L99 6.2 now has the (floating) 14-16 psi idle on hot engine 250F and 26 psi when temp is around 225F. Cold idle is 50 Psi. Oil pump and pickup tube are new. No metal signs in the oil filter. I can hear very light crank bearing sound that could be hear Only under the car. Ticking lifters sound (as usual) presents. Could you please advise is it normal ? 115K Mileage 5W30 outside temp 105F

[@keysautorepair7905]

Have you figured it out yet?

[@Timsautosolutions]

Goto a mechanic,!! God

[@okladoma9782]

Stumbled onto this video while researching low oil pressure. I have a 2000 Silverado 2500 4x4 6.0 with 288K on it. Just got my new sending unit in the mail, but didn't know about the screen, so thanks for the tip. I'm just gonna put new everything: pump, pickup tube seal, sending unit, timing chain kit, etc., because I only want to do this once. Engine runs great, and I hope I can squeeze a lot more miles out of it. Great job on the vid.

[@jamesspash5561]

If your observing low oil pressure and the lifters are not clattering or the main bearing rumbling, it's a indication issue. How ever, the screen under the oil pressure sender is a restrictor to the Vlom manifold. So if the vVom is lose, your leaking oil into the camshaft valley. and showing low pressure.

[@jhnyazzie2012]

So 2004 6.0 GM has no screen under the oil pressure sensor. Right? I replace the oil pump and the pick up tube and still low pressure 14 psi at idle .

[@andrewgonzales7421]

​@@jhnyazzie2012 dod you solve your issue? I replaced my lifters and oil pump. Still have a tick and low oil pressure

[@LeoNava-e4w]

@@jhnyazzie2012probably a cam bearing

[@jamesspash5561]

I did not post this reply.

[@mikeyshoemagoo0384]

Can't forget about the dumbbell either

[@mikebelcher6692]

1. 06 Tahoe lifter pecking had 2 splits in pick up tube o-ring, installed melting hi psi pump n fixed it. 2. 05 Yukon neglected when I bought it, oil filter showed 12K miles since last oil change. Pick up o ring was brittle, installed hi volume/hi psi melling oil pump, new oil psi switch, dash rebuilt, Psi went to 10 at idle n 35 at speed. I suspect worn cam bearings. Will do full rebuild one day.

[@kevintinaodman4943]

I have a 2013 avalanche I replaced oil pump pickup oil sensor and have good oil pressure running down the freeway if I step on it really hard and back off oil pressure starts to fall put it in neutral turn off engine restart right away oil pressure comes back I guess the next step is to hook a pressure gauge to it and compare it to the gauge on the don't know what else to do.

[@elmeromero3578]

Also after the oil pump there's a missing screw on the tube oil line sistem which causes a leaky issue

[@lukk4273]

Seems like the bearings blocking the oil hole would work to raise the oil pressure?

[@wesss9353]

Now do it again with the engine installed.

[@bobnewsome211]

Cam bearings. I never knew those could be an issue until last week my tech told me he thinks that’s the issue. Low pressure, no metal in pan, ticking noise from motor, not lifters. He said he’s gonna need 4 hours to verify it’s the bearings. Can those be pushed back in or is this going to be a complete cam removal and bearing replacement? Is it worth doing the work and waiting for the next issue to occur?

[@claycardinal7253]

What’d you learn? Wondering what happened

[@bobnewsome211]

@@claycardinal7253 it was the cam bearings. With 230,000 on the truck, I sold it and got a 2020 with the 5.3. I still think they are best motors out there. All brands, all motors have their own design flaws. At these motors won’t strand you somewhere in limp mode.

[@WillaHerrera]

72401 felpro o-ring gasket.

[@williamwright2767]

Are you from New Jersey

[@jhnyazzie2012]

Hello, I have a 2004 gmc. .6.0 L. I replaced oil pump with pick tube. And still have a low pressure about 14 psi. What would my next problem?. When I step on gas pedal the pressure than goes up. Thxs

[@troyshepherdjr.5346]

I have the same issue it’s also a 04 6.0 too

[@ii-pushpumps-ii7590]

Have you figured it out?

[@Langloiswad]

Problème de coussinets de bielle

[@Dirtydiapers4U]

It's a cam bearing!

[@cryptokevin8581]

Help!!! I just changed my Oil pan Oil pan gasket Oil pressure pump Sending unit filters Oil sending unit And I’m still at 20 psi

[@andrewgonzales7421]

Me too!! Need help!!

[@comaradelee]

ff

[@comaradelee]

@@andrewgonzales7421 ff

[@shaun9156]

get it checked with a manual gauge, if it is bad recheck the oring on the pickup tube (sometimes it gets pinched) other than that, start shopping for a rebuild kit or a replacement lol.

[@Dirtydiapers4U]

Cam bearing!

[@chuk0one47]

Great inf . I have a 2006 escalade 6.0 just hit 100k miles always maintained oil change at 3k always put mobil one synthetic end just last week I was driving on cluster it show low oil compression so I stop check all oils on engine everything was normal. Took it to a mechanic he suggest to change oil pressure sensor that didn’t work so he changed oil pump & he put new engine oil he did mention that there was metal debris on pan so he got it done nothing changed engine sounds normal no weird noises oil pressure is below 12 psi any suggestions?

[@SIRENS-YT]

Did he replaced that O ring?

[@chuk0one47]

Yes

[@SIRENS-YT]

@@chuk0one47 do you have original engine oil filter AC DELCO?

[@chuk0one47]

Yes oem filter end since I bought it new I always put Mobil 1 synthetic oil

[@randallyoung9365]

I have a 2011 GMC Yukon Denali with the 6.2 in it I have replaced the cam lifts rods oil pump timing chain cams trays and delete it but I'm having trouble with oil pressure now when I start the truck up and let it run for about 5 minutes my oil pressure start dropping but if I give it gas it comes back up

[@wally7856]

How low is low? Hot idle is normal to drop down to 25-30 psi. Did you replace the camshaft retainer plate? Very thin gasket there that if compressed and reused can leak oil and lose pressure. Also the valley cover has gaskets blocking off the dod oil galleys that can leak oil and lose pressure.

[@saudocampos6758]

I got a 5.3 2002 i just rebuilt and im having this problem i i had the cam bearings remplace and i replaced the oil pump 2 times with a mealling high volume and no knocking or lifter noise at all and my pressure is above 40 at cold start and after 10 min it drops to 15 psi anyone got some advice?

[@saudocampos6758]

As well with the pick up tube I forgot about that

[@shrimp8004]

O ring pick up tube same engine same problem ✌️

[@whitewolf30f]

There's only one cause, not insisting on a traditional Chevrolet V8.

[@wonkawilly5573]

Agreed

[@papergatorzfedducca7998]

Does that o ring fit all? 4.8, 5.3 and 6,0? NEW SUBSCRIBER 🔥🔥🔥

[@Sledbuddy]

It should fit all 3 engines. The package for it says 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 from 1999 to 2009 I believe.

[@Langloiswad]

@@Sledbuddy Bonjour je possède un Chevy express 6.0 vortec et ma pression d'huile au Ralenti se situe autour de 20 PSI en roulent 30 psi

[@renaissanceman7145]

Where did you find a 180 MPH Truck cluster?

[@justinseehausen4293]

its in kmh

[@DnvnShppck]

Just..... do an AFM delete....

[@kevinsteinberg6069]

Can the brake booster hose to the manifold cause low oil pressure

[@wally7856]

No

[@ChrisMcCutcheon-wj2pp]

Non priority engines will have low oil pressure if anything is going on wrong with cam and lifters,

[@shrimp8004]

What is priority engines

[@ChrisMcCutcheon-wj2pp]

@shrimp8004 crankshaft gets oil first, it is spinning twice as fast as the cam

[@ChrisMcCutcheon-wj2pp]

Only after the cam and lifters, hence non priority oiling engine, oil control has been a very big hurdle for engine builders

[@b.powell3480]

Sticky oil Guage needle in dashboard!!??

[@madwestboy]

I have low oil pressure on my 05 Yukon Denali with 189k miles. I replace the cluster, o ring and sending unit. Well I had a shop do all that for me, so next I'll just have them remove the screen and hopefully that will help. If all fails then I will assume I need a new oil pump

[@Sledbuddy]

Hey brother, It could be the oil pump. Unless the tech working on it missed something. They should have replaced the screen when changing the sending unit. When I have a pan off to do a pickup tube o ring I always inspect the cam bearings, you need a snake scope to see them all properly because the crank and rods are in the way. Also if a crank bearing slides it can cause problems. The other question is when did the pressure drop? Did you buy it that way? Has the engine been apart ever? Has the dumb bell ever been messed with? I'm assuming they took the time to connect a manual pressure gauge to see actual oil pressure readings.?. That's were I start. Sadly there is a low competence out there these days with many techs. I find 3 of 10 techs are actually good. Stories like this make me wish I could dig into that engine for you. There's many possibilities for your problem. A quality technician should be able to solve the case. There's also the simple things like oil filter. I've seen blocked filters do this. With that many miles there's Lots of possibilities. Could need a rebuild. Wish you the Best of luck brother! Worst case, try a different shop. Sometimes a new set of eyes can make the difference.

[@madwestboy]

@@Sledbuddy I don't know when the pressure dropped because when I bought it the oil guage would always read 80psi. When I replaced the cluster the mechanic said the needle went almost to zero pressure. After he replaced the sending unit the pressure went to normal when I looked at the pressure guage. Then he said the engine is tapping. He replaced the o ring and the tapping went away. During a cold start the pressure goes almost up to 40psi and goes higher as I accelerate. But when the truck stays on it slowly goes back down to almost zero. I tried doing an oil pressure test from the sending until but it gave me zero reading, maybe I was doing it wrong idk... But the truck runs in perfect condition, no knocking or tapping, drives smooth and no engine light. The information center is telling me to change the oil but I just did and oil flush and oil change and using Lucas oil stabilizer. Next I'll remove the screen from the sending unit and if that doesn't work I'll install a melling oil pump, pickup tube and timing chain

[@gillespriod5509]

​@@madwestboyProbably you Just Need the sump pickup cleaned again and the oil filter Is plugged because of sludge coming from others zones in the engine, It May even be an excess of RTV who clogged it , i have seen It numeros times, how a shop can replace the cluster for this? 😂 I advise you to change mechanic and drop the sump ASAP

[@gillespriod5509]

*If when dropping the sump again you find the screen Is free then you have problems with the pump, maybe theover pressure valve but usually Is the new oil wich clean sludge in the head and clog the pickup again, i usually do another oil change and flush again 500 km after i clean a sump for my customers, many times there Is still gunk in the engine and the problem can reappear if you didnt, By the way never use additives on engine oil other than flushes, i have seen oil become gel, dont do It you dont know how the oil you have can react chemically to them, buy a High quality oil, Is way better than using Snake oils, you dont have to mess with oil composition I am sure you will find the problem, my best wishes

[@benh2134]

​@@Sledbuddy I have the same problem let's with oil press. Could it be the press regulator slash press relief valve sticking?

[@matthewmarrs6062]

Strange mine has new oil pump and new o ring fresh oil change kick myself for the fram filter definitely plan on changing that but it was fix now or replace engine type situation but i now have 40 psi driving cruising around 60 stays directly at 38 to 39psi soon as i come to a stop she drops to about 10 to 18 psi goes back up as i start driving engine was replaced which has i was told 180k miles oil pump that i took off was definitely worn out oil was definitely dirty like mud brown hints the quick fram filter and oil change but after i done all that pressure is good driving but come to a stop it drops i noticed with these engines the more they get worn out the less pressure they can produce due to worn out parts just cant keep up anymore its common for high mileage 4.8s truck runs great just had the little scare where the oil pressure low came on a couple times than i found the pump kit and redone it with fresh oil change i plan on getting another 4.8l completely freshen it from top to bottom swap it in and do the same with the motor imma pull out of the truck

[@johnreid859]

I have an 07 LY5 5.3 LS. At 15 years and 75k miles the oil pressure was very low at idle. I replace the little screen under the oil pressure sender. Didn’t help. So I dropped the pan and took off the pickup tube. The o ring was hard and the outer edge was flat. It did not have any elasticity. New o ring installed. Oil came right up. That is the fix in my case.

[@chrisnevarez449]

So I had a broke lifter a huge piece was missing when I replaced the lifter drove fine for 2 weeks then had no oil pressure gave it sum gas then pressure went to normal do u think part of the lifter that broke is causing this

[@allenhenry1113]

How do you go about testing the oil pump itself mechanically?

[@04Expo]

There is a plug on the driver side of the engine on the side of the block it’ll be an 8 Allan key and you can manually check oil pressure from there with a manual gauge.

[@timothywesterfield5894]

I have the same issue with low oil pressure on my 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500. My mechanic said I need a new engine? I just need a second opinion. Please help🙏🏽

[@hard2catch335]

AMAZING!!

[@Sledbuddy]

Thanks man! I appreciate your time, Cheers!

[@benh2134]

Oil pressure surges. Too high when engine is cold and too low when engins is warm. Has anyone solved this by changing the regulator/relief valve?I have changes the press sensor and screen. No difference.

[@jonjon_az]

Forgot about the barbell. Nice info.

[@Sledbuddy]

The barbell otherwise known as the dog bone is not a common problem. Generally its a problem after a rebuild when someone forgets to put it back in, or installs it wrong. There are a few other causes for low oil pressure but this video was made to cover the most common causes. Thanks for watching, I appreciate your time. Cheers!

[@DIABLO_4_Tester_Sacramento]

My 2011 camaro L99 6.2 now has the (floating) 14-16 psi idle on hot engine 250F and 26 psi when temp is around 225F. Cold idle is 50 Psi. Oil pump and pickup tube are new. No metal signs in the oil filter. I can hear very light crank bearing sound that could be hear Only under the car. Ticking lifters sound (as usual) presents. Could you please advise is it normal ? 115K Mileage 5W30 outside temp 105F

[@ChrisMcCutcheon-wj2pp]

The barbell is for direction, forces oil thru cooler and filter, the trucks have another by pass in the oil pan

[@ChrisMcCutcheon-wj2pp]

@DIABLO_4_Tester_Sacramento 5 w 30 isn't really heavy enough on a 100 degree day, weight of oil is actually ambient temperature determined, if supercharge no where near enough, I run 10w30 in summer, 5w30 in the winter, synthetic Mobil one or penzoil is great synthetic also

[@SIRENS-YT]

@@DIABLO_4_Tester_Sacramento Did you find the cause?

[@paulhansen7667]

I put a high volume Melling on my LM7. No low pressure problem now.

[@randallyoung9365]

The motor just went out

[@Avalanche2]

LOL, no the oil oring doesn't "go bad". It does get damaged by people who mess with it when doing a cam or changing the oil pump

[@wally7856]

As it ages it will harden and flatten and allow air into the pickup tube via venturi effect. That will aerate your oil causing all kind of problems including low oil pressure. Very very common issue.

[@walnutkraken9430]

I would think it would aerate the oil pretty significantly if it was an o ring issue wouldn’t it? Seems one would see that on the dipstick?

[@wally7856]

@@walnutkraken9430 I never noticed anything on my dipstick. My main observable symptom was 20 PSI oil pressure - hot/cold - idle/3500 RPM made no difference - 20 PSI. Changed the o-ring and 50 psi cold idle/30 psi hot with pressure rising with rpm to about 50 psi 3500 rpm hot. That aeration (about 3 months) did cause a lifter ticking issue that I had to replace the lifters. If you catch it soon enough most lifter ticking will go away once replaced.

[@Swagolisious2]

this video is gold

[@frank9649]

Mine the needle just shakes continuously on the gauge 185k on the clock.

[@Sledbuddy]

Hi Frank, it could be the stepper motor for that gauge in your cluster, I have seen that cause this issue. It could also be a problem in the electrical somewhere in between the sending unit and cluster. Its hard to say without actually inspecting it. Could be many things causing it. First is to confirm what your actual oil pressure is, bring it to a shop and have them hook up a manual gauge to see where its at. Best of luck!