How to Replace an Oil Pump in a Chevy Silverado?: Step By Step Guide
An engine’s life depends on its oil pump. It pumps lubricant into the essential parts of the engine and puts pressure on the moving components. The oil pump plays a crucial role in supplying 3 to 4 gallons of oil per minute while maintaining the pressure of the engine system.
Any fault in the oil pump can completely cripple your engine system. Therefore, proper daily maintenance is required. Oil pump replacement is more important in case of complex problems.
In this article, we will discuss the functions of an oil pump and how to replace the oil pump in a Chevy Silverado.
How does the oil pump work?
Most cars have engine oil pans that store engine oil. High-powered automobiles use an external oil tank to hold more engine lubricants. In both cases, the function of an oil pump is to quickly pump oil to all the moving parts in the engine.
The oil pump creates pressure to supply oil through a passage, and it remains constant. There are various outlets along the passageway where protection is required. Oil pump supply lubricants to all these places. Oil pumps can prevent metal contact by delivering oil to the running components of the engine.
If the oil pump temporarily shuts off the oil supply or does not keep the pumping steady. It can severely damage the engine.
How to replace an oil pump in a Chevy Silverado?
Changing the oil pump of a chevy Silverado is not easy as changing the oil filter. You need to know the general technical concepts and opinions of experts to do the replacement. Then we will show you step by step how to replace an oil pump in a Chevy Silverado.
Materials needed to replace
- An oil drain pan.
- Wheel chocks.
- Safety glasses.
- A pair of protective gloves.
- A Jack stands.
- Repair manuals.
Step by step guide:
Step – 1: Set the parking brake, extend the front with the stand and disconnect the battery connection.
Step – 2:
- Remove the aerator.
- Empty your car fuel tank.
- Remove the built-in serpentine belt carefully.
Step – 3: You should turn the engine towards the compression stroke to get the benefit. However, in this step, you should take the help of professionals.
Step – 4: Then remove the oil pan bolt to disconnect the pan connection. The pan should be closed very carefully and cautiously.
Step – 5: Remove the oil pump holding assembly with a light pinch or pressure with your hand.
Step – 6: After removing the oil pump, clean the whole place and the oil pump thoroughly with a dry rag and give it some time to dry.
Step – 7: Inspect the oil pump. Replace if all is well and install a new pump if faulty. Careful to install the oil pump and reverse the removal process.
How often does the oil pump have to be changed?
Oil pumps help to keep the engine running smoothly and prevent engine failure. After a thousand miles of drive, it is normal to have no problem with the oil pump.
However, if your oil pump is many years old, then the oil pump may have a slight defect, then you may have to change the oil pump. There would be no fatal damage to the car oil pump if new oil was added on time and the oil filter changed.
How will you know if your oil pump is bad?
The fuel pressure sensor transmits a signal to the computer pointing to low oil pressure when a car engine oil pump fails. The engine computer checks the engine by turning on the check light, and so the sensor check’s all the activities of the engines, then the sensor reads the level of oil supply.
If there is an error in the oil supply, the sensor sends the (OBD) problem code to the car screen. Due to the oil pump malfunction, even if the engine is restarted, it may stop again after a while. The engine will not start even if there is a lot of oil in the engine because the damaged oil pump will fail to supply oil.
What types of oil should be used to keep the oil pump running?
Different types of oils are used to lubricate the engine and oils of varying viscosity cause damage to the oil pump. The use of different kinds of oil in your engine results in a mud lining at the oil pump, disrupting the efficient oil supply.
Drivers are currently using 10W 20 and 10W 30 engine oil, whose popularity is increasing daily due to their compact quality. It is best to use a blend of synthetic oils, but it is much more expensive than conventional motor oils.
The oil pump can flow synthetic oil steadily in cold weather, and due to its improved viscosity, it does not freeze and form a mud coating.
Final Verdict
However, oil pumps do not deteriorate easily. An oil pump can serve you with some maintenance or timely oil changes for many years. An oil pump is the heart of a car engine. If it does not supply oil to the engine, the engine will not start. There may be a problem with the oil pump, and if this happens, there are some opening techniques that we have described step by step above.
We have even discussed when to change the oil pump or what kind of oil to use to keep the oil pump in good condition. We have also discussed how to replace the oil pump of a Chevy Silverado. Hopefully, after the full article, you have a complete idea about the oil pump.
