Lmtv oil pan r&r

[RRaulston]

I changed my oil pump this weekend on a 3126B . Not much to add other than the top drivers side bolt of the oil cooler mount required 2 different 7/8 12 point wrenches to be able to make the bolt rotate in the tiny space available. A ratcheting wrench wouldn’t fit.

Also, I zip tied the tranny cooler lines to the frame rails and removed the exhaust down pipe to get great access to the pan from the back. Made installing the pan uneventful.

View attachment 896725

this job is on my radar. Was there a noticeable change in oil pressure??

 

[Lostchain]

this job is on my radar. Was there a noticeable change in oil pressure??

I would say, across the board the pressures are better. My previous oil pump wasn’t terrible, but sometimes in the summer, I would occasionally get the low oil light on while idling. Last night on the test drive I got the oil to 200F and it still maintained 40 psi at idle, which it couldn’t do before. Driving is pretty much always at 60 now, (usually 40) before. Also, in the time it took to put 20gallons in the tank and look under the truck for leaks, the engine had cooled enough that the oil pressure almost hit 80 again for a bit after leaving the gas station. That NEVER happened before. Also I got my pump as a reman at CAT and the idler gear had a markedly bigger bushing. Clearly this was a reliability update as my existing oil pump had a much smaller bushing and was actually showing signs of wear (with only 9k on it)

 

[Wingnut13]

I’m in the same boat as it seems you were. So I’ll be shopping for a pump and gaskets soon.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

At the first signs of lower than normal oil pressure or especially if you get that oil pressure idiot light it's time to drop the pan and replace the pump. The job isn't that bad but it's enough labor and enough expense in oil, filter, and time that to simply inspect it would be a waste. You get a reman or new pump from CAT and you replace it. It's well worth the expense considering the possible implications if the pump should significantly fail.