Oil Pressure Diagnosis and Testing
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 7 other vehicles, including the 2002 GMC Yukon XL, 2002 GMC Yukon, 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, and 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Tools Required
- J 21867 Pressure Gage. See Special Tools and Equipment
- J 42907 Oil Pressure Testing Tool
- With the vehicle on a level surface, run the vehicle for a few minutes. Allow adequate drain down time, 2-3 minutes, and measure the oil level.
- If required, add the recommended grade engine oil and fill the crankcase until the oil level measures full on the oil level indicator.
- Run the engine briefly, 10-15 seconds, and verify low or no oil pressure on the vehicle gage or light.
- Listen for a noisy valve train or a knocking noise.
- Inspect for the following conditions:
- Oil diluted by water or glycol antifreeze
- Foamy oil
- Remove the oil filter and install the J 42907 .
- Install J 21867 or equivalent to the J 42907 .
- Run the engine and measure the engine oil pressure.
- Compare the readings to Engine Mechanical Specifications (LM7 VIN T/L59 VIN Z) or Engine Mechanical Specifications (LR4 VIN V) or Engine Mechanical Specifications (LQ4 VIN U/LQ9 VIN N) .
- If the engine oil pressure is below specifications, inspect the engine for one or more of the following conditions:
- Oil pump worn or dirty
Refer to Oil Pump Cleaning and Inspection .
- Oil pump-to-engine block bolts loose
Refer to Oil Pump, Pump Screen and Deflector Installation .
- Oil pump screen loose, plugged, or damaged
- Oil pump screen O-ring seal missing or damaged
- Malfunctioning oil pump pressure relief valve
- Excessive bearing clearance
- Cracked, porous, or restricted oil galleries
- Oil gallery plugs missing or incorrectly installed
Refer to Engine Block Plug Installation .
- Broken valve lifters
Repair as necessary.
- Oil pump worn or dirty
- If the oil pressure reading on the J 21867
or equivalent is within specifications, inspect for the following conditions:
- Plugged or incorrect oil filter and/or malfunctioning oil bypass valve
- Malfunctioning oil pressure gage or sensor
Repair as necessary.