Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

No oil pressure!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 01:46 PM
  #1  
TaTommyWS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 996
Likes: 0
Default No oil pressure!

I have a 2000 TransAm with 33k miles. The other day I started my car (already warm from just driving it), and my oil pressure gauge read zero. This happened to me over a year ago at about 15k miles. After a little while the gauge shows pressure, and it is back to normal. The first time this happened, I took it to the dealer, and they told me they could find nothing wrong. They said they replaced the sender unit. It has been OK since then, now it happened again. I have heard some people say that the pressure relief valve on the oil pump could get stucj during startup dumping all the oil back inot the pan, therefore giving the engine no oil pressure. I did not hear any unusual noises.... I want to go back to the dealer but I really want them to replace the pump if that it the problem, but I'm not sure how to convince them since it happens very rarely.... I would hate to see my engine get destroyed... Any suggestions would be great.

<small>[ November 05, 2002, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: TaTommyWS6 ]</small>
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 02:51 PM
  #2  
Jake99SS's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Default Re: No oil pressure!

If you don't hear any noises, it might be the sending unit. It's in back of the manifold and is easily broken. When my oil pump took a crap I heard the lifters within seconds of it happening. If it is the oil pump, I wouldn't accept anything less than a new engine.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 04:27 PM
  #3  
akw408's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default Re: No oil pressure!

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by TaTommyWS6:
<strong>I have a 2000 TransAm with 33k miles. The other day I started my car (already warm from just driving it), and my oil pressure gauge read zero. This happened to me over a year ago at about 15k miles. After a little while the gauge shows pressure, and it is back to normal. The first time this happened, I took it to the dealer, and they told me they could find nothing wrong. They said they replaced the sender unit. It has been OK since then, now it happened again. I have heard some people say that the pressure relief valve on the oil pump could get stucj during startup dumping all the oil back inot the pan, therefore giving the engine no oil pressure. I did not hear any unusual noises.... I want to go back to the dealer but I really want them to replace the pump if that it the problem, but I'm not sure how to convince them since it happens very rarely.... I would hate to see my engine get destroyed... Any suggestions would be great.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Why don't you just let the dealership swap the sender and go from there? Is this a stock motor? If so, I don't see what the big worry is since it's all under warranty. If you're really worried, you can plug in a mechinical oil pressure gauge and show them that it's zero (if it wasn't the sender and still is zero). But trust me, if it's zero, you would know about 15 seconds later when your lifters stop pumping up.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 05:10 PM
  #4  
TaTommyWS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 996
Likes: 0
Default Re: No oil pressure!

My factory warantee conveniently expired one month ago! I bought the car Oct 1999.

Where could I connect a machanical oil pressure gauge without having to tamper too much with my currently stock engine?

Also, my friggin' exhaust is soooo loud I can barely hear myself think in my car, nevermind a few lifters tapping...

I am having a new clutch put in my car tomorrow, so after I get it back, I think I am going to take it back to the dealer and explain the problem existed while it was under warantee, and it was not properly diganosed or fixed...

This sucks! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" />

Tommy
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 06:41 PM
  #5  
eallanboggs's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
Default Re: No oil pressure!

The mechanical sender would screw into the existing threads where the electrical sender currently resides.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 07:36 PM
  #6  
akw408's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default Re: No oil pressure!

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by TaTommyWS6:
<strong>My factory warantee conveniently expired one month ago! I bought the car Oct 1999.

Where could I connect a machanical oil pressure gauge without having to tamper too much with my currently stock engine?

Also, my friggin' exhaust is soooo loud I can barely hear myself think in my car, nevermind a few lifters tapping...

I am having a new clutch put in my car tomorrow, so after I get it back, I think I am going to take it back to the dealer and explain the problem existed while it was under warantee, and it was not properly diganosed or fixed...

This sucks! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" />

Tommy</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Like eallan said.

And trust me, you'd know if your lifters weren't pumping up. If you couldn't hear it, you'd feel it.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2002 | 09:46 PM
  #7  
Racehead's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 1
From: LaConner WA
Default Re: No oil pressure!

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by eallanboggs:
<strong>The mechanical sender would screw into the existing threads where the electrical sender currently resides.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Which is under the intake manifold, requiring removal to access it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 01:55 PM
  #8  
robertbartsch's Avatar
TECH Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
Default Re: No oil pressure!

I had the IDENTICLE problem on my 99 SS about a 1.5 years ago...

Oil pressure guage said zero upon intital start-up but no abnormal noises (lifter/valve noises). This actually happened more than once!

I immediately shut the engine off and had the car towed to the dealer. They kept it for three days and said they could not find any defect.

I have not had any problems since. My typical oil pressure has increased over time with typical pressures about 60psi now when engine is running over 2.5K or so.

At the time I read about the bad factory oil pumps that dealers have been replacing so I thought it must be a defective pump.

I just keep watching it like a halk now...

Since your car is off warranty, GM will do nothing for you - thus, beware!

If you want a good warrannty, buy a HONDA! Chances are, however, that you will not need it since they are great cars...not like chevys
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 6, 2002 | 07:24 PM
  #9  
NastyWS6's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Default Re: No oil pressure!

Check the sending unit, if not it is more than likely going to be your oil pump failed.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:08 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE