New Engine - Bad cam bearings - low oil pressure

[Corvetteboy698805]

Ok, some of my earlier posts commented on the possibility of replacing my engine (which currently only has 1200 miles) due to a continued check engine light for low oil pressure/oil pressure sensor. GT has been at the dealer for two weeks now, and after all there tests, all which were done without pulling anything major apart, identified upper bearings (cam bearings) to be the most likely cause for the low oil pressure. The ECM, sensors, were already replaced and later ruled out. GM tech provided non-intrusive tests to narrow down the problem. Im still leary, but hey, I was getting a check engine light for some reason. No strange noise, or change in performance while this light came on, AFM was still functioning, etc. Anyway, its either dig into the engine to determine which cam bearing are bad, or simply replace the engine. The dealer has already ordered the new engine, bu wanted some feedback 0 should I have the whole engine replaced, or have it dug into and possibly have some parts replaced? And is the cam bearing issue a possibility for the low oil pressure? I hate to have the original engine replaced, but it looks like I have no choice!

They werent suggesting to repair the engine, they are ordering a new one, but it was a option for me. I dont know if it will be a long or short block, I forgot to ask.
I do feel better about a new engine that is already assembled as opposed to opening mine up and not putting it back together correctly, not to mention if there is other damage hidding in there, but then again, my original"assembly plant" assembled engine didnt do so hot either. And that was what the dealer suggested, replace the engine, that insures no other issues and a correct repair.
Any ideas on what comes stamped on my block? It wont have my VIN number, what about collectability and numbers matching, Im thinking down the road here.
Thanks for all the input so far!

Thanks!

[Chewy]

New engine if I had the choice! Like you said... Better than relying on them to make it right.

Chris

[00 Trans Ram]

New engine, every time. You had low oil pressure - Lord knows what else happened in there. Probably nothing, but I'd take a new engine every day and twice on Sunday!

It'll be a longblock. They do this because it's cheaper for them to simply pull the old one and put the new one in there. Your local shop is not very well equipped to be disassembling and reassembling an engine. They'll pack up your old one and send it out, where someone else will (probably) disassemble and separate the bad from the good.

However, ask about buying the engine back from them. After all, it's a used engine, with bad parts. Even parted out, it's probably only worth $1000 or so. And, they'll be paying some guy to take it apart, so they'll make minimal money.

My guess is that they are going to send the engine to a grave. See if they'll let you have it. Probably not, but it's worth a try!

[wreckwriter]

Yup, new engine best bet.

[ddcook08]

Get the engine.

[SRG963]

New engine, every time. You had low oil pressure - Lord knows what else happened in there. Probably nothing, but I'd take a new engine every day and twice on Sunday!

It'll be a longblock. They do this because it's cheaper for them to simply pull the old one and put the new one in there. Your local shop is not very well equipped to be disassembling and reassembling an engine. They'll pack up your old one and send it out, where someone else will (probably) disassemble and separate the bad from the good.

However, ask about buying the engine back from them. After all, it's a used engine, with bad parts. Even parted out, it's probably only worth $1000 or so. And, they'll be paying some guy to take it apart, so they'll make minimal money.

My guess is that they are going to send the engine to a grave. See if they'll let you have it. Probably not, but it's worth a try!
+1

[Corvetteboy698805]

Thanks for the approval on the new engine guys, thats the route Im going!
Now, how long do I get to wait for a new engine? Anyone have to get a new one, the dealer cant give me any info, other than there are none in stock.

[SRG963]

Thanks for the approval on the new engine guys, thats the route Im going!
Now, how long do I get to wait for a new engine? Anyone have to get a new one, the dealer cant give me any info, other than there are none in stock.
useless blabber here

[G8GT721]

new engine

What did their scan tool read for oil pressure?
i have low oil pressure as well, it sometime drops to 16 or 17psi at idle

[Slizzo]

Thanks for the approval on the new engine guys, thats the route Im going!
Now, how long do I get to wait for a new engine? Anyone have to get a new one, the dealer cant give me any info, other than there are none in stock.

See if they can't source an LS3 for ya. :)

[Corvetteboy698805]

I believe the mentioned 15 PSI, when it should be 20.
I could here some tick at start up, but it went right away.
Not enough for me to complain or be concerned, but the engine light is what triggered me to take it in, maybe 15 PSI is the trigger point?
They also measure it would continue to drop, not sure if drop from 20 to 15, or drop from 15 to lower. Probably from 20 to 15.

[GXPaycheck]

Ditto on the LS3!!

[G8GT721]

I believe the mentioned 15 PSI, when it should be 20.
I could here some tick at start up, but it went right away.
Not enough for me to complain or be concerned, but the engine light is what triggered me to take it in, maybe 15 PSI is the trigger point?
They also measure it would continue to drop, not sure if drop from 20 to 15, or drop from 15 to lower. Probably from 20 to 15.

im sure i probably have the same problem, cruising i will see around 35psi and it will increase with throttle input. But when hot and at idle it will always be below 22 and drop to a low of about 16. I also had the code about oil pressure/sender

[majesticix]

Not sure about lemon laws in your state, but in NY if the car is out of commission for more than 30 days with less than 12,000 miles, your entitled to a brand new car. Assuming your state has similar provisions, you should see a new engine shortly. There were no L76 engines available either when mine was replaced, and they mysteriously snatched one up and had the car running 1 day before the lemon law was reached. From my understanding they had one built for me special since most of the engine plants were out of commission save the Oshawa plant I think. They could have just ripped it out of a new G8 though...I got the 2009.5 engine. Took 2 weeks once they got the ball rolling.

[G8GT721]

don't mean to hijack but...

When i have a cam installed would they installer be able to look and see if they are bad? or is there more to it?

how hard would it be to remove and install new bearings?

[Corvetteboy698805]

UPDATE:

Dealer nor the Pontiact rep can tell me when a new engine will be available, they hinted it could be another 4 weeks. next Tuesday the 13th, will be the 30 day point the car has been at the dealer, so no chance they could get one in just in time before the lemon law like you Majesticix, looks like I might have to exercise the law and get a new G8, probably faster than waiting around for a damn engine, rediculous. Thought the non-holden stuff like the engine would be available, this car is turning out to be a nightmare for parts!
GM, at my request, has offered to provide a more upscale vehicle, still a far cry from the G8, but the dealer loaner G6 is going back and they are providing a new Impala from a local rental car place.

[WickedMom]

Any update on this?


this is a bulletin I found while updating the TSB section on here.


PIP4158C: Low Oil Pressure Due To Seized Oil Pressure Relief Valve - (Dec 29, 2009)
The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.
Condition/Concern:

Some customers may complain of low oil pressure, no oil pressure, and/or engine noise, which may be the result of a sticking oil pump pressure relief valve. In some instances, this may occur intermittently if the valve frees up when the engine cools down.
Recommendation/Instructions:

If SI diagnosis isolates low mechanical oil pressure at the oil filter housing and oil pressure sensor, replace the oil pump, flush the oil cooler lines (if equipped), clean the inside of the oil pan, change the oil and filter, and re-evaluate the concern.

Notice: If an engine noise is noticed after replacing the oil pump, follow the SI diagnosis and repair the engine as necessary.

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.

[EcoBrick Bob]

don't mean to hijack but...

When i have a cam installed would they installer be able to look and see if they are bad? or is there more to it?

how hard would it be to remove and install new bearings?

I asked this question when getting quotes from Livernois. If cam bearings show excessive wear, engine has to be pulled and bearings removed and pressed in. They estimated around and extra $1,200.

(Note - never went ahead with cam swap...)

[vert]

UPDATE:

Dealer nor the Pontiact rep can tell me when a new engine will be available, they hinted it could be another 4 weeks. next Tuesday the 13th, will be the 30 day point the car has been at the dealer, so no chance they could get one in just in time before the lemon law like you Majesticix, looks like I might have to exercise the law and get a new G8, probably faster than waiting around for a damn engine, rediculous. Thought the non-holden stuff like the engine would be available, this car is turning out to be a nightmare for parts!
GM, at my request, has offered to provide a more upscale vehicle, still a far cry from the G8, but the dealer loaner G6 is going back and they are providing a new Impala from a local rental car place.

Some States are 30 days, while others are 30 business days.

[RUSH9161]

We send the old engines back to gm for warranty, they tear them down and see what failed.

[starfire350]

Shouldnt take that long to get
this is the avalibility from the gm parts website
Fac. Quantity On Hand OVN In Transit
696 28 Y N
696 Y Y N

696= BRIGHTON, MI

[-Ray-]

Any update on this?


this is a bulletin I found while updating the TSB section on here.

Jessika, this member hasn't signed on since Oct. 9th.