Generation IV Internal Engine 2005-2014 LS2 | LS3 | LS7 | L92 | LS9

0 oil pressure????

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 15, 2008 | 10:48 PM
  #1  
blackbyrd's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,641
Likes: 392
From: cookeville, TN
Default 0 oil pressure????

story is its a fresh motor and we were cranking bring it to pressure so we could fire it up and we never could get oil pressure?? what gives we cranked on it for an hour and never got pressure, did i miss something help me out guys
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2008 | 11:30 PM
  #2  
racecar's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 875
Likes: 2
From: Portland Oregon
Default

Yes, you missed the 5/8" freeze plug that needs to be pressed into the front of the block next to the oil pump, or the plastic barbell in the oil galley right above the filter, or the O ring on the oil pickup tube got pinched, or the pickup is sitting on the bottom of the oil pan.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2008 | 11:40 PM
  #3  
Deeavi's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 2
From: Bowman, SC
Default

I just finished my new engine, and I have done several LS engines for oil pumps, cams, etc. I have never cranked an engine over to get oil pressure. I just fired it up and the pressure came up. I don't know if cranking one over is going to build pressure. If you built it right with good assembly lube running it for a few seconds is not going to hurt it. If the pressure does not come up after inital start up, then you are going to have to go back into it.

Always check and double check everything and make sure you have the correct new oil pump pickup o-ring.

Good Luck!
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2008 | 12:07 AM
  #4  
racecar's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 875
Likes: 2
From: Portland Oregon
Default

Cranking it with the starter should make good pressure. Take the spark plugs out and crank it.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2008 | 06:48 AM
  #5  
speedracer5532's Avatar
9 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 4
From: Berkeley Springs, WV
Default

I just built my LSX 427 and the same case, couldn't get oil pressure. I knew 100% sure I put the 5/8th freeze plug in the front of the block and the barbell plug in the rear of the block. So I pulled my oil pan and took the pickup tube off. The o-ring looked good but I am sure there was some issue with the o-ring on the tube not sealing. I say 99% of the time a LS engine has no oil pressure it is the o-ring on the pickup tube. I put it all back together and left the oil filter with no oil in it and cranked it over with the plugs out for about 2 10 sec intervals. Went to take the oil filter off to see if there was oil there and there was, so I knew now my pump was pumping. I put the plugs back in and fired it up and had oil pressure right away.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2008 | 07:45 AM
  #6  
DrkPhx's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,519
Likes: 0
From: St. Michael, MN.
Default

Originally Posted by speedracer5532
I just built my LSX 427 and the same case, couldn't get oil pressure. I knew 100% sure I put the 5/8th freeze plug in the front of the block and the barbell plug in the rear of the block. So I pulled my oil pan and took the pickup tube off. The o-ring looked good but I am sure there was some issue with the o-ring on the tube not sealing. I say 99% of the time a LS engine has no oil pressure it is the o-ring on the pickup tube. I put it all back together and left the oil filter with no oil in it and cranked it over with the plugs out for about 2 10 sec intervals. Went to take the oil filter off to see if there was oil there and there was, so I knew now my pump was pumping. I put the plugs back in and fired it up and had oil pressure right away.
That's a good point. I always install the oil pump without the front cover and gears so I can see if the o-ring is seated correctly.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2008 | 11:07 AM
  #7  
blackbyrd's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,641
Likes: 392
From: cookeville, TN
Default

i didnt assemble the engine and it came with the front cover and pulley on it and i didnt know about the barbell plug in the rear i would like to think they would have put those in during assembly, but that company is out of business now so what do i know. i did how ever put the pan and pick up tube on so i will check those before i pull my motor out. thanks guys.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2008 | 12:47 PM
  #8  
blackbyrd's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,641
Likes: 392
From: cookeville, TN
Default

rear cover has to come off for the barbell doesnt it, and does the front cover need to come off for the other next to the pump
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 Mar 16, 2008 | 01:12 PM
  #9  
speedracer5532's Avatar
9 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 4
From: Berkeley Springs, WV
Default

Originally Posted by blackbyrd
rear cover has to come off for the barbell doesnt it, and does the front cover need to come off for the other next to the pump
yes both covers have to come off to check to make sure both of those plugs are in.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2008 | 01:37 PM
  #10  
blackbyrd's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,641
Likes: 392
From: cookeville, TN
Default

also we filled the oil filter and after we cranked it a few times we undid the oil filter and it over flowed so that mean its pumping some would that help narrow down my problem??
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2008 | 01:39 PM
  #11  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

pop the valve cover and crank it and see if oil comes out up there, indicating pressure.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2008 | 02:04 PM
  #12  
blackbyrd's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,641
Likes: 392
From: cookeville, TN
Default

heads are still try its got breathers so we have been looking also pulled the oil sender and poured oil down it but havent cranked it since doing that, needed a few things
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2008 | 02:08 PM
  #13  
The Alchemist's Avatar
UNDER PRESSURE MOD
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,813
Likes: 15
From: Doylestown PA
Default

Check the oil pressure sending unit that is in the back of the block I beleive. A lot of people hit it by accident when doing intake swaps. It will show 0 oil pressure because it's not sending any signal since it is an electronic gauge.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2008 | 02:20 PM
  #14  
blackbyrd's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,641
Likes: 392
From: cookeville, TN
Default

Originally Posted by blackbyrd
heads are still try its got breathers so we have been looking also pulled the oil sender and poured oil down it but havent cranked it since doing that, needed a few things
i already pulled the sendor and it was dry on the bottom oil is not coming up but yet its over filling the filter which i thought was the last place that it went?

also strange even tried cranking it with the sendor out and couldnt even feel air move which it should right? the more and more i think about this its sounding like the pick up tube is stuck on the bottom of the pan
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2008 | 02:57 PM
  #15  
speedracer5532's Avatar
9 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 4
From: Berkeley Springs, WV
Default

Originally Posted by blackbyrd
i already pulled the sendor and it was dry on the bottom oil is not coming up but yet its over filling the filter which i thought was the last place that it went?
The first place the oil goes from the pump is the oil filter.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2008 | 04:00 PM
  #16  
blackbyrd's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,641
Likes: 392
From: cookeville, TN
Default

if the 2 plugs were missing would it have filled the filter??
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2008 | 09:51 PM
  #17  
racecar's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 875
Likes: 2
From: Portland Oregon
Default

If the freeze plug is missing in the front of the block, the oil will just pump right back into the pan, 0 pressure. If the barbell is missing, IMO you should have pressure, it will bypass the filter. I have never tried that, but the barbell just sends oil down to the filter, and back up. If the pickup is touching the bottom of the pan, 0 pressure.
If everything is working, and you crank with the spark plugs out, it will make pressure in about 3 seconds. I agree with speedracer, it's usually the O ring.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2008 | 02:40 PM
  #18  
blackbyrd's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,641
Likes: 392
From: cookeville, TN
Default

so if it over filled the oil filter the rear plug is probably in
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2008 | 01:44 AM
  #19  
racecar's Avatar
TECH Resident
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 875
Likes: 2
From: Portland Oregon
Default

Some oil in the filter? We need more. Pull the front cover and pan, look for the freeze plug, buy a new O ring, check it all out before you toast those bearings. You can see the freeze plug in this photo, just to the right of the gold oil pump bolts.
Attached Thumbnails 0 oil pressure????-freeze.jpg  
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2008 | 06:29 PM
  #20  
ShevrolayZ28's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Default

Originally Posted by blackbyrd
story is its a fresh motor and we were cranking bring it to pressure so we could fire it up and we never could get oil pressure?? what gives we cranked on it for an hour and never got pressure, did i miss something help me out guys

I wasn't able to get oil up to the rockers by turning it over with the starter (spark plugs out) and I've seen plenty of threads where people have had the same experience, yet once the car in question was fired, there was no problem- bingo! Oil pressure.

I think we need the crank shaft sloshing the oil around and a lot more RPM through the oil pump before we'll see anything happen. Also, if you're going by the OEM gage, none of the gages function while turning the starter.

I'd start it up and watch for pressure within the first few seconds; be ready to shut it down. If it's been sitting and it's not lubed with assembly juice and you're paranoid, pop off the valve cover and squirt some oil around inside.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:05 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