Oil pickup tube o ring change

[Ponchonutty]

This was one of the things I’ve put off doing to my 08 Denali. I told the buyer of it I would have it done before handing over the keys. Really wasn’t bad at all. I’m pissed at GM saying my oil pressure is was within spec before I changed it when I knew it couldn’t be. I mean my Camaro SS basically has the same 6.2 engine and it always ran 20psi higher. Was impressed with a 210k mile engine as clean as it was in the pan. I guess frequent Amsoil changes helped. O-ring was significantly worn and actually split when I slid it off. Anyways now at cold idle I have 45 psi and have 65 at highway speeds. Hot idle is around 27 and hot highway is 44psi.

 

[Hi-psi]

Eventually I need to do mine, same vehicle, '08 Denali, almost same mileage. But, for now, my pressure is ok so it hasn't been an urgent priority. 40 cold idle, about 17-18 hot idle.

 

[Ponchonutty]

Eventually I need to do mine, same vehicle, '08 Denali, almost same mileage. But, for now, my pressure is ok so it hasn't been an urgent priority. 40 cold idle, about 17-18 hot idle.

Mine rattled when first started and was loud when it was cold for the first 3-5 seconds. Now it’s completely quiet

 

[Z71Tahoe2004]

Does the drop of the front diff by a “few inches” stated by the manual take more than you expected? Heard about some folks who have more trouble with that part than they expected.

 

[hagar]

Does the drop of the front diff by a “few inches” stated by the manual take more than you expected? Heard about some folks who have more trouble with that part than they expected.

I only take the pan out if it needs a pan gasket. If it's all dry, just loosen off all the pan bolts and plastic wedge the front of the pan down a bit to access the pickup tube bolt, pile in a rag into the opening incase you drop the bolt, then lay a magnet below the bolt and try really hard to not drop it.
Done it a dozen times that way and never lost the bolt nor had any leaks after.
No diff lowering or anything.

 

[Ponchonutty]

Does the drop of the front diff by a “few inches” stated by the manual take more than you expected? Heard about some folks who have more trouble with that part than they expected.

I completely removed mine. Made it a snap. I did use two floor jacks and another hand to help wedge it back up in place.

 

[jz57]

Did you replace oil pan gasket while you did O-Ring replacing?

This was one of the things I’ve put off doing to my 08 Denali. I told the buyer of it I would have it done before handing over the keys. Really wasn’t bad at all. I’m pissed at GM saying my oil pressure is was within spec before I changed it when I knew it couldn’t be. I mean my Camaro SS basically has the same 6.2 engine and it always ran 20psi higher. Was impressed with a 210k mile engine as clean as it was in the pan. I guess frequent Amsoil changes helped. O-ring was significantly worn and actually split when I slid it off. Anyways now at cold idle I have 45 psi and have 65 at highway speeds. Hot idle is around 27 and hot highway is 44psi.

 

[CobraKing]

@jz57 The factory installed gasket is held in place with rivets to the pan, so you might want to replace it as it could bend/warp during removal. If you've had it replaced before then you could be OK with reusing it if you take care to evenly tighten all the bolts in an X pattern.

 

[Ponchonutty]

Did you replace oil pan gasket while you did O-Ring replacing?

Yes

 

[jz57]

CobraKing,

Thanks for the advice.

If the gasket is reusable with good condition, should RTV be applied on both side of the old gasket as "reinforcement"?

@jz57 The factory installed gasket is held in place with rivets to the pan, so you might want to replace it as it could bend/warp during removal. If you've had it replaced before then you could be OK with reusing it if you take care to evenly tighten all the bolts in an X pattern.

 

[thompsoj22]

CobraKing,

Thanks for the advice.

If the gasket is reusable with good condition, should RTV be applied on both side of the old gasket as "reinforcement"?

In my experience, RTV should only be used "sparingly" where there may be a void/corner to aid in sealing a potential gap. If you apply RTV of any color to both sides of that gasket the excess that squeezes into the interior of the pan will eventually find it's way to the oil pickup tube screen. In many ways it is a "snake oil" sealer with short lived results if it comes in contact with oil/fuel. Clean flat surfaces with correct torque is what seals mating surfaces. There are sealants that are designd for fuel/oil wet environments but they are not RTV.

 

[hagar]

Yep. They are orings.. a far superior seal to any silicone. I still see old time mechanics all the time backing up orings with sealant. You are only hurting things if the oring is still healthy.
Like you said, a few little beads in the joints, and that's it. If the oring has flattened,torn, or distorted, change it.

 

[Ponchonutty]

CobraKing,

Thanks for the advice.

If the gasket is reusable with good condition, should RTV be applied on both side of the old gasket as "reinforcement"?

NO!!!!! Do yourself the favor and pay the $29 for a new gasket. I mean yes you can reuse them but for that little amount of money and you already have it apart.....

 

[CobraKing]

CobraKing,

Thanks for the advice.

If the gasket is reusable with good condition, should RTV be applied on both side of the old gasket as "reinforcement"?

@jz57 That could work if the gasket is non-OEM and not not held in place with rivets. But I highly recommend what @Ponchonutty said and install a new gasket.

If you're DIYing this job, it's not complex by any means but definitely tedious and the oil pan is held in place with 14 bolts, on top of the other components that you will need to unbolt and remove.

I'd spend the extra money and get it done right.

 

[Baddawg]

I think this job is in my future, probably not real urgent, my oil pressure is about 25# at idle, maybe 42# at 2500 RPM.
It sounds like a big job for me to do but I can probably get it done, might be able to buy some help from a local mechanic.

... anyone close to Denver that wants to do the job for less than dealer prices?

 

[Derick]

... anyone close to Denver that wants to do the job for less than dealer prices?

Haha I've been farming out the same job here in Indy too....

 

[Derick]

Well I'm one step closer....just ordered the new oring and new oil pan gasket.....there shouldnt be any additional parts that I need right?

 

[hagar]

Well I'm one step closer....just ordered the new oring and new oil pan gasket.....there shouldnt be any additional parts that I need right?

At the risk of sounding like mr. Obvious, an oil filter and oil! Ha

 

[Ponchonutty]

At the risk of sounding like mr. Obvious, an oil filter and oil! Ha

As he said above. Oil and filter too.

 

[Rocket Man]

Well I'm one step closer....just ordered the new oring and new oil pan gasket.....there shouldnt be any additional parts that I need right?

There are 4 spots that require a bit of RTV sealant, 2 where the front cover gasket meets the block and the same where the rear cover gasket meets the block.