"17 5.3l oil pressure question

rav3 · January 1, 2021

Guys, I have a '17 Silverado LTZ with the 5.3l V8. I've read several posts about normal oil pressure but here's my question.

When started up cold, I get about 40 PSI at idle, which is considered normal. However, I noticed the other day, while going down a hill, the "automatic engine brake" activated & down shifted to help the braking. It was doing a little over 3000 rpm's & I noticed the oil pressure gage was showing about 60 psi. It stayed there until I pushed on the gas & the transmission shifted back up & OP went back to the normal 40 psi. So with that observation, I watched the oil pressure when I pulled off HARD & let the rpms run up & saw where the oil pressure went up to the 60 psi but settled back down when I let off of the gas.

Is this 60 psi normal on these newer 5.3's?

CamGTP · January 1, 2021

Yeah that sounds fine. Oil pressure is computer controlled now and there are likely many different algorithms for picking what pressure to have. In both those cases the load on the engine was increased but not exactly in the same way so a pressure increase should happen.

If these engines didn't have active fuel management and VVT you'd probably see 50psi just cruising around and 70-80psi at full throttle. That's the way the older engines before 2007 were.

rav3 · January 1, 2021

14 minutes ago, CamGTP said:

Yeah that sounds fine. Oil pressure is computer controlled now and there are likely many different algorithms for picking what pressure to have. In both those cases the load on the engine was increased but not exactly in the same way so a pressure increase should happen.

If these engines didn't have active fuel management and VVT you'd probably see 50psi just cruising around and 70-80psi at full throttle. That's the way the older engines before 2007 were.

Ok, so it's normal from what you mentioned. I am running an Ranger AFM delete & didn't know if that influenced anything. Was also wondering about oil filter bypass at 60 psi. I'm not sure what oil filters can handle.

JimCost2014 · January 1, 2021

The customer may comment that the oil pressure gauge jumps from approximately 40 lb. to 60 lb. three times within the first few minutes of driving as well when the engine revs past 3700 RPM.

By

Underhood Service Staff Writers

on

Jul 24, 2018

Models:
2015-2018 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L L86
2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500 4.3L LV3 5.3L L83 6.2L L86
2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe/GMC Yukon 5.3L L83

Condition
The customer may comment that the oil pressure gauge jumps from approximately 40 lb. to 60 lb. three times within the first few minutes of driving as well when the engine revs past 3700 RPM.

Cause
The 4.3L (LV3), 5.3L (L83), 6.2L (L86) engines are equipped with a two-stage oil pump.

The oil pressure gauge jumping three times is caused by a test routine the engine goes through during the first few minutes of driving to ensure that both stages are operable.

The oil pressure gauge going to 60 lb. over 3700 RPM, is the calibrated engine speed the oil pump goes into the high-pressure stage.

No repairs should be attempted, this is normal operation for these engines.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

JimCost2014 · January 1, 2021

"Advanced Oiling System

The oiling system incorporates a new variable displacement two-stage vane-type oil pump that enables more efficient oil delivery, based on the engine’s operating conditions. Its dual-pressure control enables operation at a very efficient oil pressure at lower rpm, and then delivers higher pressure at higher engine speeds.

An oil control solenoid valve, controlled by the Engine Control Module (ECM), mounted to the oil pump provides two-stage functionality. The oil pump is mounted on the front of the engine block and driven directly by the crankshaft sprocket. The pump rotor and vanes rotate and draw oil from the oil pan sump through a pick-up screen and pipe. The oil is pressurized as it passes through the pump and is sent through the engine block lower oil gallery.

Pressurized oil is directed through the engine block lower oil gallery to the full-flow oil filter and then to the upper main oil galleries and the valve lifter oil manifold assembly.

Grumpy Bear · January 1, 2021

30 minutes ago, JimCost2014 said:

"Advanced Oiling System

The pump rotor and vanes rotate and draw oil from the oil pan sump through a pick-up screen and pipe. The oil is pressurized as it passes through the pump and is sent through the engine block lower oil gallery.

Pressurized oil is directed through the engine block lower oil gallery to the full-flow oil filter and then to the upper main oil galleries and the valve lifter oil manifold assembly.

Boy does that answer some questions on oil routing to the cooler/heater in the radiator. This means, if I read this right, that it goes pump to galley to cooler/heater to galley to filter. So then...line to the cooler/heater is the forward line and return the one closer to the filter. (V6 anyway) I assume the galley on on the passenger side for both V6 and V8? Jim can you confirm this?

rav3 · January 1, 2021

47 minutes ago, JimCost2014 said:

"Advanced Oiling System

The oiling system incorporates a new variable displacement two-stage vane-type oil pump that enables more efficient oil delivery, based on the engine’s operating conditions. Its dual-pressure control enables operation at a very efficient oil pressure at lower rpm, and then delivers higher pressure at higher engine speeds.

An oil control solenoid valve, controlled by the Engine Control Module (ECM), mounted to the oil pump provides two-stage functionality. The oil pump is mounted on the front of the engine block and driven directly by the crankshaft sprocket. The pump rotor and vanes rotate and draw oil from the oil pan sump through a pick-up screen and pipe. The oil is pressurized as it passes through the pump and is sent through the engine block lower oil gallery.

Pressurized oil is directed through the engine block lower oil gallery to the full-flow oil filter and then to the upper main oil galleries and the valve lifter oil manifold assembly.

Thanks for this info Jim! Great stuff. I could not find this information anywhere when I searched. I just learned something today!

JimCost2014 · January 1, 2021

1 hour ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Boy does that answer some questions on oil routing to the cooler/heater in the radiator. This means, if I read this right, that it goes pump to galley to cooler/heater to galley to filter. So then...line to the cooler/heater is the forward line and return the one closer to the filter. (V6 anyway) I assume the galley on on the passenger side for both V6 and V8? Jim can you confirm this?

That is a great question, and I do not know the answer for sure, this is all I can really find so far:

All LS engines locate the gerotor style oil pump on the crankshaft flange just ahead of the cam gear drive.

Like the small-block, the oiling system follows a similar route, directing oil from the pump down a gallery on the driver side of the block, and then up to main corridors that pass through the hydraulic lifters first, and then down to the main bearings. Oil travels through the lifters, up the pushrods and then spills out onto the rockers and springs before returning to the pan.

This illustration of the oiling circuit reveals the long distance the oil must travel on the suction side of the front-mounted pump. Like its small-block antecedent, it also feeds the hydraulic roller lifters first, before finding its way to the main bearings. Many aftermarket blocks reverse this order by prioritizing the main bearings first and then the lifters and valvetrain.

Grumpy Bear · January 1, 2021

2 hours ago, JimCost2014 said:

That is a great question, and I do not know the answer for sure, this is all I can really find so far:

All LS engines locate the gerotor style oil pump on the crankshaft flange just ahead of the cam gear drive.

Like the small-block, the oiling system follows a similar route, directing oil from the pump down a gallery on the driver side of the block, and then up to main corridors that pass through the hydraulic lifters first, and then down to the main bearings. Oil travels through the lifters, up the pushrods and then spills out onto the rockers and springs before returning to the pan.

I see I was unclear. My bad. Sorry. I'm asking about the oil circuit of a Ecotec3 V6. After the LS. 2 stage vane pump.

I feel really dumb right now so please...be gentle. Thanks. I can't find a diagram anywhere for these.

JimCost2014 · January 3, 2021

On 1/1/2021 at 3:33 PM, Grumpy Bear said:

I see I was unclear. My bad. Sorry. I'm asking about the oil circuit of a Ecotec3 V6. After the LS. 2 stage vane pump.

I feel really dumb right now so please...be gentle. Thanks. I can't find a diagram anywhere for these.

I am not finding a lot either on the new generation 4.3 either.

Guess you will have to tear it apart, take pictures, and post videos so we all know what is going on inside the engine

Grumpy Bear · January 3, 2021

14 minutes ago, JimCost2014 said:

I am not finding a lot either on the new generation 4.3 either.

Guess you will have to tear it apart, take pictures, and post videos so we all know what is going on inside the engine

Could be awhile before that happens Jim. Thanks ever so much for the effort.