Ronnie79

Hi,

I'm about to change the oil pan and pickup tube on my LM7. I find a lot of people who are priming the oil pump and beyond (rockers etc) by pressurizing the oil pump through the allen key hole.
But isn't this still leaving the suction side (the pickup tube) empty? Is there no need to prime the pickup tube somehow? If not I guess I don't need priming after just changing the pickup pipa and oil pan?

Thanks! /Ronnie

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

There’s really no way to prime the pickup because liquid…oil in this case…will seek its own level. As soon as you turn off, in any engine with a pickup tube, the oil runs down the pickup tube to the actual oil level in the pan. Pre-fill the oil filter before you install it, and start the engine.

Ronnie79

Aright, thanks! 😀

gagliano7

People do that for new builds. Changing your pan and pickup tube is no different then letting your vehicle sit and then starting it.

strutaeng

I recently rebuilt my 06 Suburban LQ4. I added oil to the pump(engine upside down on the stand) and then plugged the hole with glob of transmission assembly lube, so it wouldn't leak out while I continued to assemble the engine.

I primed the engine with a pump sprayer and that fitting prior to firing the engine. I don't really know if the assembly lube did anything, but at least it kept the oil inside the pump until the oil pan got installed. Just a thought.

Y2K_Frenzy

If you hold the throttle pedal to the floor prior to and while you’re turning the key to start the motor it will turn over and not start. It will start once you release the gas pedal. It’s called “clear flood mode” or something like that. I do it after an oil change. I think it works with pretty much any car. Even the new push button start cars.

Ronnie79

Thanks for your replies.
Just to make sure I decided to prime it.I removed the Allen fitting at the oil pump and no oil poured out, seemed empty after standing still for a month. I have now pushed through about 3 liters of oil just to make sure😁

Thanks for the tip about full throttle method. Didn't know about that, seems easier than feeding the starter with 12v👍🏻​​​

Y2K_Frenzy

Try it on all of your vehicles. I bet it works on all of them.