2010 Chevy 5.3 Oil pressure drop

[Mr.Seaguar]

While driving the oil pressure dropped 17# from 39 to 22#. Warning lights and alarms went off. The two guesses we have are bad sensor and sending unit. I think its a 2010 but could be 2011. Its not mine, I drive a Dodge. Thanks

[harvey lee]

Did the pressure drop and then come back up or did it stay at the lower number?

Easily could be a sending unit or something else bad. If it stayed low, could be low oil down some also. if the oil has not been changed for sometime, could be the filter is restricted.

No doubt I would check the oil level first and before I drove it too far, I would also have the engine checked. You still have pressure so it's not like you have no oil to the motor but it is very low for sure.

I would not go on any longer drives until one finds out the reason for that drop.

[Mr.Seaguar]

went down and stayed down. I couldn't say when the oil was changed. The owner is a huge GM-o-phile and this is not sitting well, to say the least. You and I know that machines have problems but he must not. Thanks

[Jeremy airjer W]

There are two things you can do.

1. Install an oil pssure gauge and see what the actual oil pressure is.

2. Install a new oil pressure sending unit and see if that takes care of it. The sending units are a pretty common failure time. Typically they wil drop to 0 psi.

[KNIGHT]

I have had the same problem on my 07 Yukon xl with a 169,000 mi. If I sut it off for a bit and then once I restarted it the oil pressure would be fine and then slowly bleed down. First thought it was the screen to the oil pressure switch being plugged, replaced switch and cleaned the screen. No issues for about 2,000 mi then it acted up again. Long story short It has a lot of gunk in the oil pan from not using synthetic oil...as long as I change the oil every 3,000 mi or so it is fine, if I go over it acts up.

[Mr.Seaguar]

He told me last night that the pressure is fine until the oil warms up and then it drops again. That info help any? He is waiting for his appointment Friday and its not mine so I have no skin in the game. Thanks

[Jeremy airjer W]

What type of oil and when was it changed last?

[Mr.Seaguar]

What type of oil and when was it changed last?

I don't know. I will ask him that and post up when I find out.

[MNice]

What type of oil and when was it changed last?

What???? you have to change oil???

[BoxMN]

FWIW, my buddy has a Subrban, later model, maybe a 08ish... so maybe old except in my world

But he was having problems that just got funky, not sure all the symptoms... but when all was said and done at the local auto shop up north (and up to then he thought they were good and modern), involving replacing sensors, electrical to the oil gauge, and who knows what else repairs - it was still doing it... He changed the oil and filter (shop did, and that is where he always had it changed) and still had issues.

he finally brought it to a Chev dealer in Brainerd who was scratching their head.... until an old timer mechanic (I am told) said bring me that darn oil filter... they cut it open and I guess there was little to no "filter" in it, and what was there was disintegrating or thin and ripped, or something... (not from the cut I guess, just horrible carp quality). They changed to good filter and new oil change and hasn't had a problem since - about 6 months or so.

So, I am second hand, but he brought his in because of lights and alarms, and a good oil filter seems to have solved his problems. Hopefully your buddy's might be as simple. Good luck.

[Mr.Seaguar]

Mobile One synthetic and it was changed within the last 3 weeks, less than 500 miles. He said he changes it himself

[ChuckN]

A friend of mine has a 2012 Chev and just a few weeks ago before he arrived at my house his truck gauges said the engine lost all oil pressure with warning lights. Took it to Chev dealer and it was the oil pressure sending unit. He was not happy with the repair bill. Over $500 if I recall correctly?

[Jeremy airjer W]

He told me last night that the pressure is fine until the oil warms up and then it drops again. That info help any? He is waiting for his appointment Friday and its not mine so I have no skin in the game. Thanks

According to the gauge on the dash or an actual oil pressure test gauge?

[Mr.Seaguar]

According to dash gauges. Warning lights, dinging alarms, you name it he says. Does not do it at start up, does it once oil gets warm. Kinda sounds like a filter that is plugged or partially plugged, but I sure wouldn't know. My dad wanted me to become a gearhead but I went the route of having enough money to buy vehicles that don't break down very often. Thanks for all the replies. I have been telling him about this thread. I told him I called it "the making of a Ford Man". lol

[MarkAlm]

My 2011 5.3 did the same thing. was going thru 5. qts of oil in 5000 miles and only had 35000 miles on it. Brought it in to the dealer that I bought it from and they changed the oil and had to do oil consumption test.

Long story short , I talked to my mechanic that is a private business and he looked up and found that there was a bulliten but not a recall to have some baffle put in it and it seems to have taken care of the problem.

[crothmeier]

I have an '08 that did that. I was told there is a screen behind the oil pressure sending unit that can be replaced, sometimes that gets clogged. I changed oil and filter and that cured it.

I also burnt oil at an amazing rate. Dealership did the valves/cover, oil pan baffle thing, and new rings and pistons under warranty and I burn zero oil now. I was told that bulletin went through a certain production date in 2010. Mine only did it when going in and out of 4-cylindar mode.

My buddy works as a tech at a dealership and he does the oil consumption repairs. He keeps busy.

That 2010 should still be under power train warranty have him take it to a dealership.

[Dave S]

A friend of mine has a 2012 Chev and just a few weeks ago before he arrived at my house his truck gauges said the engine lost all oil pressure with warning lights. Took it to Chev dealer and it was the oil pressure sending unit. He was not happy with the repair bill. Over $500 if I recall correctly?

This doesn't sound right. A 2012 and he's paying for repairs?