79c10ftw

I have an 09 Chev Express 4.8 2wd. I was coming home from a trip and the girlfriend alerted me to a ticking she heard a few minutes back while I was getting some rest. Looked over and saw low oil pressure. I think it was about 15psi cruising at 65mph. We pulled over and idled. It went to 6psi at idle. Had it towed home. You can hear valve train ticking. No clunking or anything too horrible sounding . I did alot of reading and isolated the new radiator I installed prior to this trip fomr the situation. I changed the oil filter and oil. I dropped the pan to replace the o ring that mates the pickup tube to the oil pump. O ring looked in tact and tube was still sealed in the pump but replaced the o ring anyway. Still read low oil pressure. Then I pulled the oil pressure sensor and saw I don't have a filter below it. Then replaced the oil pump with a new stock melling pump. I still have low oil pressure. Just tested now with a mechanical gauge and I get 6 psi at idle. I can still hear ticking. Not sure what to check now. If a rebuild is necessary of some sort then I'm not sure what I should all replace. Assuming cam and rode bearings as well as crank bearings? Thanks

79c10ftw

Bump...anyone have any ideas, was going to try and blow compressed air back through the engine from the oil pressure sender location at the back of the block.

G Atsma

How many miles on the engine?

01CamaroSSTx

iTrader: (3)

Sounds like your bearings are worn out and your not building much oil pressure. What oil are you running in this?

79c10ftw

Thanks for the replies guys . There 266k on the rig . I just rebuild the trans and replaced the radiator and lines while I was at it. I sadly am guessing it's bearings that or worn. Does anyone know if I can do all the bearing with it in the van or is that just wishful thinking? From what I have researched it's probably mainly the cam bearings?

79c10ftw

G Atsma

At that mileage it's possible all lower end bearings are shot.

01CamaroSSTx

iTrader: (3)

I'm pretty sure the rod and main bearings can be replaced with the engine in but with that many miles I'm sure the cam bearings along with the cylinder rings are also worn out. I don't think you can tackle the cam bearings with the engine in the vehicle so I would be looking to either overhaul the engine or start looking for a replacement. It's lived a good life but the old LS engine is tired.

79c10ftw

Excellent advice, thank you. Just wondering if it's worth re-ringing and doing all the bearings or getting a used engine for 800$ that has around 150k .

01CamaroSSTx

iTrader: (3)

Depends on how long you can be down without the van. If you don't rely heavily on it then pull the drive line and go back through the engine and if $$ allows get the transmission freshened up!

79c10ftw

Transmission is fresh re done . I have a month until a long trip her from MN to Florida so I have to get it done one way or another in the next month.

A.R. Shale Targa

iTrader: (2)