VS V6 oil pressure problem

[vpshtb0x]

When I first start my VS it runs fine for about 5 minutes then the oil light comes on and seconds later the tappets in the left hand bank become noisy. It seems like the right hand bank is getting oil pressure but, not the left. I'm thinking maybe a blocked oil gallery or maybe the oil pump doesn't produce enough pressure to feed that side..

Just wondering if anyone else has had this or a similar problem before and what was done to rectify it. Thanks.

[mischa]

Tried some lifter additive? That always seems to work for me when a few lifters become noisy.

[vpshtb0x]

I took the left hand rocker cover off and it's very dry under there. Don't think some additive is going to help if the oil isn't reaching that area.

[hako]

If oil flow is low it may be due to either a blocked oil supply to that gallery....a partially blocked oil pump pickup screen causing low oil flow...low oil pressure due worn bearings/pump,,,,, oil pressure relief valve stuck open.....oil filter blocked.
I'd start by checking that oil pressure is OK with a gauge....if that's OK then it's a blocked supply to that bank/gallery.

[vpshtb0x]

I pulled the filter off about 10mins ago.. was full of oil and fairly clean, no sludgy lumps or anything. I'll get the workshop manual off my mate tomorrow and pull the oil pump out for inspection. If it turns out that the problem is going to be deeper than that, I think I'll just change the engine.. it's probably fairly tired anyway after 402,000k's.

[hako]

At 402,000kms I'd give it a good funeral. I wouldn't bother looking further for the actual fault....just bury it.

[ephect]

before going down that path less hassel to try rather than to replace her just yet, but try an oil flush, might just unblock the feed pipe. you could run it twice just to be sure then see how you go.

[James39]

At 402,000kms I'd give it a good funeral. I wouldn't bother looking further for the actual fault....just bury it.

Mine has probally more than that and still goes well lol (Except for the DIFF as thats only done 188,000kms)

I would not give up on it just yet.

[vpshtb0x]

I only bought it last weekend - it was a bargain but, it hadn't been run for 3 months due to a defect notice. Unfortunately, I don't know it's history.. looks fairly well looked after, has extractors and sports exhaust, stage 4 chip (still yet to figure out what that does, if anything). Bought it off a guy who had lost his licence (he bought it with the defect and never got to drive it before losing his licence) and was desperate for weed so, managed to get it off him for $125. Over all the car is in good nic, body is straight, interior is tidy, all the electrics work except for the horn which likes to beep when I connect the battery for some reason and make me jump.

[James39]

I only bought it last weekend - it was a bargain but, it hadn't been run for 3 months due to a defect notice. Unfortunately, I don't know it's history.. looks fairly well looked after, has extractors and sports exhaust, stage 4 chip (still yet to figure out what that does, if anything). Bought it off a guy who had lost his licence (he bought it with the defect and never got to drive it before losing his licence) and was desperate for weed so, managed to get it off him for $125. Over all the car is in good nic, body is straight, interior is tidy, all the electrics work except for the horn which likes to beep when I connect the battery for some reason and make me jump.

Changed the oil and filter yet?

[vpshtb0x]

Yes, changed the oil and filter earlier today, same thing happening. I'm going to inspect the pump tomorrow. I have a spare pump on the VS Berlina I'm wrecking.. trouble is, I don't know the history of that car either and it wasn't running when i bought it as the cooling system had been removed.

[James39]

If the oil pump was stuffed one would assume that the oil would not be getting up on both sides?

I Done a silly thing years ago with a car that had trouble with oil not getting through to the top which was to run fuel from the top with the sump removed. Heaps of chunky bits came out which fixed the problem.

I waited until the next afternoon to start it lol

[vpshtb0x]

That's what I thought, seems like it's doing the job on one side but, the oil light comes on so, you'd think it was a pump issue only.. not. Confusing issue that's for sure. I had a mate suggest I put kerosene in with the oil and run the engine for about a minute. Too scared to try that one. lol. Your idea certainly sounds a little less dangerous

[ephect]

im assuming you missed my post early, run some oil flush thru it a few times, if your worried about the kerosene

[vpshtb0x]

Sorry. I would do that but, I'd have to drive 120km round trip to Bendigo to get it. I plan on going there on Tuesday but, would like to have the car operating correctly by the end of the weekend. I don't really want to travel that distance just for one item. I'll put some more thought into after a good sleep, I think.

[vpshtb0x]

Changed the pressure relief valve and sensor, pulled both rocker covers off and tipped oil down the pushrods and the return galleries. Started it, ran fine for quite a while just sitting there idling, went for a short drive, came back, sat idle a bit longer, revved it a couple of times and the ticking came back Think I'm just going to throw another engine in the old girl.

[vn1989]

try putting a fush through it then new oil and filter then see how you go like a few comments above said the flush could remove what ever is blocking it. 400000km isnt many for a buick they will still run for many more km's if well looked after. but id do a flush first then get a new engine if that doesnt work... but before you put in the new engine so kill the old 1 properly

[vpshtb0x]

I'm getting another motor. Trouble with oil flush is, that it can loosen off too much gunk and start clogging other areas of the engine and, judging by the amount of gunk under the rocker covers on my engine, it's a likely scenario. Thanks for all the responses guys!

[fully_carver]

sounds to me like its playing when hot or when the oil is thin on a car with that many kms i would just put in some thick oil