Oil pump a weak link in the LSx?
At what mileage should the oil pump be replaced from the point of view of preventive maintenance?
Never heard of it. Perhaps, since the GTO is based on the Australian model, maybe different material was used in manufacturing the gears within the pump
or maybe the same can be assumed regarding the spring material used in the pump. Not knowing what has failed, can't really say. Suprising to hear of a gear pump failure. Would lean toward a spring issue over as gear issue, though, ie; spring braking & then the spring parts chewing up the gears within the pump? What part of the pump is failing?
The design flaws in the original LS1 oil pump were corrected by the time GTOs were being built. However, as with any mass-produced assembly defects are possible.
It would be useful to know if the failed pumps were factory-installed vs. having been removed and re-installed without proper alignment.
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They're really not. That's why we've asked for detailed information about the "GTO forum" oil pump failures. We need details...
-engine is spun up to x,xxx RPM
-engine has previously overheated
-stock pump
-ported pump or otherwise modified
-etc.
-shimmed spring
-oil additives used
-varnish/gunk build up as a result of improperly maintained oil
Not suprised to get confirmation that it's spring related, "spring stuck open." Although, "spring stuck open" is a spring failure not a pump failure. Springs are hardened steel & are more prone to manufacturing related defects.
Doubtful, that the pump itself is the issue. Gear pumps are very reliable.
I grew up with the Gen 1, and apart from installing a new pump on a rebuilt engine etc, oil pumps were NEVER an issue...UNLIKE what we are seeing so often now.






