I have a bone stock 2010 2500hd with a 6.0 and a 6l90. It ran great when we bought it, had ~35psi oil pressure hot, and sounded perfect. Unfortunately, since pulling out 9k lb travel trailer, the oil pressure has dropped, and it has overheated twice due to radiator issues. The lifters now tick quite loudly on startup and I’m trying to figure out my options. I’ve read that the oil pump o ring could be bad, leading to low oil pressure, which would cause the lifter tick, but I know it could also need new lifters. I’ve done head gaskets and lifters on an l92 before, as well as several other gen 3 engines, but I want to make sure it’s not just a super simple fix.


tldr:
should I try replacing the oil pump o ring or go straight to replacing lifters?

 

How many miles on this engine?

 

128k miles right now

 

To check the oil pick up o-ring.......
Over fill the crank-case with oil. Jack up the rear end as high as you can so the o-ring is flooded with oil.......2 quarts? You can take off the front wheels and set it on some wood blocks.
Start the engine, just idle it and see if the oil presure shows an increase. If it does you have a bad 0-ring. Remove extra oil before driving!

 

Have you since the trip changed the oil?
Also, usually the O-ring issue is from initial improper installation, but it may have slipped out of place, especially if it's the thinner O-ring that goes on the non-grooved oil pickup tube.

 

Yep, changed it about 1k miles ago. It didn’t appear to have any metal in it. I haven’t had anything apart on this truck besides pulling a radiator, so I’m pretty sure it wasn’t improper installation.