5.3 ZERO oil pressure, options?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: New England
5.3 ZERO oil pressure, options? Hello All,
I have a 07 Silverado NBS, with 5.3 AFM. I had Blackbear do a tune to shutdown the AFM when I bought the truck with @120K on it, as well as a general tune. Fast forward to 165K, I had a lifter or two rattling and the oil pressure fluctuation at idle issue so I installed:
-Texas Speed low lift stage 1 truck cam
-16 new lifters, from TSP
-timing chain, GM
-cam gear, GM
-oil pump, GM (non-AFM)
-Locally rebuilt heads, new valves (4 valves had damaged stems) and TSP springs.
All work on truck completed in Sept, 19. Blackbear did the tune and the truck ran fantastic, better than ever, I couldn't have been happier.
Then two weeks ago, I drove the truck to work, no issues, nothing out of the ordinary. When I left for lunch, within 10 seconds of backing out of the parking spot, there is a "NO OIL PRESSURE ALARM" I shut it down immediately. I have restarted it 3 times since, for less than 10 seconds to confirm no pressure with a SnapOn scan tool. That is where it stands, what I'd like to know is my options at this point. I have been told, and done some reading, that likely a cam bearing failed. I have figured I have a few options:
1. Replace the engine with a good used 5.3 AFM engine, have Blackbear re-tune for stock cam.
2. Buy a used 5.3 AFM, pull the bad 5.3, Another TSP cam and hopefully the lifters, heads, oil pump, chain, gear, etc. are okay and swap them into new engine. No need to re-tune.
3. Buy a 6.0, swap it for the bad 5.3. The unknown for me here is the compatibility of the 6.0 VS 5.3. Is it a plug-n-play swap, all the sensors work, etc? If so, what Gen 6.0 would do this? Just thinking a stock 6.0 is probably going to pull better than the mildly cammed 5.3, so just swap it in, no internal work. So it would be relatively easy. And a tune from Blackbear to make it run correctly, I assume.
Yes, I know I could also mod the 6.0. I doubt the 4L60E would be happy or live long behind that, so I think for now, I'd like to not have to rebuild a transmission. I have enough problems.... I'd also like to know what, if anything, can be done to prevent this from happening again?
That's the situation and the options as I see them. I'd like to hear what others think, particularly about the 6.0 swap option.
Thank you, RT
I have a 07 Silverado NBS, with 5.3 AFM. I had Blackbear do a tune to shutdown the AFM when I bought the truck with @120K on it, as well as a general tune. Fast forward to 165K, I had a lifter or two rattling and the oil pressure fluctuation at idle issue so I installed:
-Texas Speed low lift stage 1 truck cam
-16 new lifters, from TSP
-timing chain, GM
-cam gear, GM
-oil pump, GM (non-AFM)
-Locally rebuilt heads, new valves (4 valves had damaged stems) and TSP springs.
All work on truck completed in Sept, 19. Blackbear did the tune and the truck ran fantastic, better than ever, I couldn't have been happier.
Then two weeks ago, I drove the truck to work, no issues, nothing out of the ordinary. When I left for lunch, within 10 seconds of backing out of the parking spot, there is a "NO OIL PRESSURE ALARM" I shut it down immediately. I have restarted it 3 times since, for less than 10 seconds to confirm no pressure with a SnapOn scan tool. That is where it stands, what I'd like to know is my options at this point. I have been told, and done some reading, that likely a cam bearing failed. I have figured I have a few options:
1. Replace the engine with a good used 5.3 AFM engine, have Blackbear re-tune for stock cam.
2. Buy a used 5.3 AFM, pull the bad 5.3, Another TSP cam and hopefully the lifters, heads, oil pump, chain, gear, etc. are okay and swap them into new engine. No need to re-tune.
3. Buy a 6.0, swap it for the bad 5.3. The unknown for me here is the compatibility of the 6.0 VS 5.3. Is it a plug-n-play swap, all the sensors work, etc? If so, what Gen 6.0 would do this? Just thinking a stock 6.0 is probably going to pull better than the mildly cammed 5.3, so just swap it in, no internal work. So it would be relatively easy. And a tune from Blackbear to make it run correctly, I assume.
Yes, I know I could also mod the 6.0. I doubt the 4L60E would be happy or live long behind that, so I think for now, I'd like to not have to rebuild a transmission. I have enough problems.... I'd also like to know what, if anything, can be done to prevent this from happening again?
That's the situation and the options as I see them. I'd like to hear what others think, particularly about the 6.0 swap option.
Thank you, RT
Banned
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 100
Damn ....sorry to hear that. Loss of words...if you just want to drive and not worry I say option number 1 ... #2 has good merit but you have the what if factor on the bottom end holding up.... Bearings etc, and mileage of the previous owner. I'd think about the cost and reliability for the most part and how soon the truck could be running.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 100
My mechanic has a 2500 and 6.0.... thing started knocking...bad rod bearings. He was pulling a engine,trans, & harness for me, out of a 2500 6.0 so i sold him the short block and I stripped his 6.0 .. with my trans and harness. 6.0 for 6.0 1 day swap.... Threw the top & bottom end away and kept the block for a spare.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 347
Likes: 10
No warning signs/noises before the complete drop in pressure?
What are your oil levels? Normal I presume
I'm just wondering if you've confirmed it's not some sort of fault in the oil pressure sensor itself, in regards to it's condition/wiring.
Has the oil pressure over time slowly been decreasing? Crazy that it would completely just blow and you went from regular pressure to 0. But hey, it happens... but usually with warning signs if you're paying close enough attention, etc.
What are your oil levels? Normal I presume
I'm just wondering if you've confirmed it's not some sort of fault in the oil pressure sensor itself, in regards to it's condition/wiring.
Has the oil pressure over time slowly been decreasing? Crazy that it would completely just blow and you went from regular pressure to 0. But hey, it happens... but usually with warning signs if you're paying close enough attention, etc.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: New England
Thanks for the responses thus far. Yes, there is oil in it, to the top mark on the dipstick. SnapOn scan tool is registering 2.8psi, and that the sensor is functional. Last start up the lifters were making noise, so I'm quite sure there is no pressure, or very little.
All input appreciated!
RT
All input appreciated!
RT
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 100
Call local salvage yard .. find one that has or had a running engine .. I have a good one here > junkyard. they'll tell you mileage and if it was running 700 sold for a long block. Got a newer mustang v6 in my SUV.
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Teching In
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 5
A clogged oil filter will read low on the gauge, while oil is still supplied through the bypass.
Change the oil filter to see if a pressure reading is restored, then cut the old filter to check
for metal.
If you're sure no oil is getting to the top end, then it's probably not a clogged oil filter or
defective pressure sensor.
Change the oil filter to see if a pressure reading is restored, then cut the old filter to check
for metal.
If you're sure no oil is getting to the top end, then it's probably not a clogged oil filter or
defective pressure sensor.
