1999 GMC Jimmy blown engine 4.3 vortex w code

1999 GMC JIMMY

235,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC

THIBS

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driving down road engine starts to knock oil guage shows no pressure pull over and shut down engine. pull stick very hot and smoking no oil on stick and no oil on the ground. put oil back in to get the truck home. in the morning i check for oil on the ground and nothing pulled oil stick and oil is half way up the stick. been told that the oil jurnals got pluged up with carbon not letting the oil to drain back down, is this possible have also been told that the oil pump started to pump more than it is regulated to. any suggestions are welcome

markus

Jun 20, 2009 at 10:12 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

CERTIFIED EXPERT
110,175 POSTS

In the cylender heads, there are locations that allow oil to drain back to the crank case. If they get plugged due to sludge build up, this can happen. As far as the oil pump pressure, how did the mechanic determine it produced too much pressure. It can happen, but is very uncommon.

Jun 28, 2009 at 4:01 PM

THIBS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Jacobandnickolas thank you for getting back to me. the oil pump producing to much pressure was suggested to me that this could also be the cause or part of the cause of the engine failure. i was asking if it was possible for this to happen.

thank you very much for answering my question

markus

Jun 28, 2009 at 4:14 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

CERTIFIED EXPERT
110,175 POSTS

Markus,

It is possible, but usually it will cause the oil filter to expand or blow the gasket. There is a regulator (I believe on yours), built into the pump. It should limit pressure no a max of around 70 - 80PSI. I've seen them cause the oil filter to blow up like a ball. Others, have caused the oil filter gasket (which is rated to hold up to 150 psi) to blow out. Like I said, it doesn't happen too often, but it can happen and has.

If you ever have other questions, let us know.

Joe

Jun 29, 2009 at 12:34 PM