96 Firebird V6 Oil Pres. Prob.

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Penstar

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I have a 1996 Firebird, 3.8. 117,000 miles.
My son came home with a slight motor knock and no oil pressure.
Thinking the oil pump gear went ? Any other ideas ??
Thats behind the timing Cover ??
What am I in for replacing this ???

Thank Pete
 
If you are doing the work yourself you will have to replace the pump, the rod bearings and the main bearings, hopefully without pulling the engine. Not clear what you mean by what's behind the timing cover?
 
Melsg5:
Looking at an exploded view, It seems that the rebuilt pump kit goes behind the timing cover. Its not showing a pump for that car that you would see inside the oil pan, just a rebuild kit. Autozone part # k-195.
Thx for the reply..... Pete
 
Mel, That does help, thanks, but let me ask this, can this no pressure issue be caused by a oil pressure switch failure ? or another type of switch or sensor ???
 
You originally stated it was accompanied by a knock, do you think the knock was there before the no oil pressure reading? Try attaching a mechanical gauge to the oil pressure sensor port.
 
No, no knocking. it was all good til my son took it. He pulled in, i heard the knocking, check the oil pressure gauge, saw it was around 0, shut it off. haven't started it since. I haven't had a chance ripped it apart yet.
 
OK, dumb question, you did check the oil level? You didnt have the oil changed at a shop immediately before the 0 pressure?
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Are you running a Fram oil Filter. You can verify it with a mechanical gauge, but it sounds like rebuild time.
 
Zimgxp, I always use a/c delco filters. I changed the oil about 1000 miles ago. I also did some research, there is a oil pressure relief valve behind the oil filter housing. I'm told that if that gets stuck open, you won't have any oil pressure. Took the housing off and found that the valve is stuck. it is spring loaded but its stuck in. I ordered a new valve and spring. Now just have to figure out how to get the valve out.
Any thoughts on this ??? Keep you guys posted.
 
Update:: The pressure relief valve was the problem. Finally got it out. Replaced the valve and spring. Put it back together and got 60 lbs oil pressure on idle. Unfortunately when i take it up to 1500 rpm, there's the knock. Problem solved, but the damage is done. I was told that it is rare that these relief valves stick, but when they do, that's it. Pressure goes to zero.
Thanks for the help...
 
sorry for the bad news, are you going to repair it?
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Yes, the car is too nice not to fix it. I guess I'll try to find a low mileage 3.8. Anyone know what I'm in for doing an engine swap ??? Looks kind of tight in there..
Any advice ??? Thx
 
Ok, I also looked at a youtube video on engine removal for these cars. It's a nightmare...
How about trying to just change the bearings from the bottom without removing the engine ??
Any advice on that please ?
 
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