2000 5.3 oil pump issues?
 

I have a 2000 silverado that has 187k that has started to develop some oil pressure issues. The other week it decided to drop all pressure and the lifters started ticking like crazy. Changed the oil and put lucas in it the next day and it ran 40-60psi and never dropped bellow 40. A week later after driving 40 min i mashed on the gas to pass a car and lost all oil pressure then it started ticking like crazy. I limped it a mile down the road to get home on 20psi and parked it. I started it up the next day and have been driving it for 4 days since and no issues.

I am thinking oil pump but I thought when they go out they are out for good, I dont think its the oil pressure sending unit or sensor because when it hits zero lifters start ticking. I dont get it, and any opinions would be appreciated!

Re: 2000 5.3 oil pump issues?
 

either theres alot of sludge in it or theres something in the oil pan that is stoping up the screen

Re: 2000 5.3 oil pump issues?
 

X2!!

Remove a valve cover first & check for sludge. If sludge is found....The crank case will need to be flushed with the valve covers removed (I use diesel fuel) While the pan is off.
If no sludge is found....Put the valve cover back on.

Pull the pan.
Pull the front cover.
Replace the Oil Pump, Pick-up Tube, Pick-up tube O-ring, & Pan gasket with AC-Delco parts.

Clean the pan real good, Remove the baffle & make sure no sludge is in the pan.

Re: 2000 5.3 oil pump issues?
 

I will give it shot, but if i end up pulling the pan would it be easier to pull the motor? It looks like a pain to do with the motor in. Plus if im this far im going to want to put a new pump, timing chain, and check the bearings. Basically what im trying to get at is how hard is this bad ***** to pull?

Re: 2000 5.3 oil pump issues?
 

Once you pull the diff out the oil pan is right there. Its not a bad job at all
Ive done 2 or 3. I would put a pump and chain in it and put it back together.
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Re: 2000 5.3 oil pump issues?
 

Once you pull the diff out the oil pan is right there. Its not a bad job at all
Ive done 2 or 3. I would put a pump and chain in it and put it back together.
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Re: 2000 5.3 oil pump issues?
 

Be careful installing the new oring on the pickup tube. Its easy to pinch, which will cause the tube to suck air, drop oil pressure, and starvation!

Re: 2000 5.3 oil pump issues?
 

pulling the diff sounds like a big job will be able to do this on jack stands?

Re: 2000 5.3 oil pump issues?
 

You only have to un-bolt & LOWER the diff enough for the pan to come out.

Fairly easy to do.

Re: 2000 5.3 oil pump issues?
 

It sounds like the oil pressure regulator which is inside the pump is sticking. This is not that uncommon for the ls engines. I just worked on an avalanche that was similar. On startup sometimes there wouldnt be pressure and also could here the valvetrain. With no pressure I could rev the engine and pressure would jump up to normal and stay there most of the times. I would change the pump.