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Priming the GM LS Oil Pump
Priming your oil pump and your engine before startup is very important, but it is often difficult on engines with a front crank-driven oil pump. Here is where a pressurized oil priming tank is handy. It is common with the GM LS engines to replace the pump in the car. Here are some important steps that need to be addressed before starting the engine.
The LS oil pick-up screen is attached to the bottom of the pump and sealed with an o-ring. It is important that the correct o-ring be installed, or air may leak in and cause severe engine damage. Use engine oil to lubricate the o-ring and install it on the pick-up tube, then install the tube to the oil pump. This is a good time to install a new pick-up screen rather than chance getting any debris from the old screen into your new pump that can easily cause a by-pass to stick, creating a low or no oil pressure condition.
When installing the pump, it is important to locate the pump and install the locating bolts just finger tight. Once all the bolts are snug, torque the bolts to the correct torque spec, working around the pump in a star pattern. It is time to complete the engine assembly. Make sure your oil level is correct and fill the new oil filter with new clean oil before installation.
To prime the pump, use an 8mm Allen wrench to remove the oil galley plug on the left, lower, front corner of the block. Use a 2-ft. long length of 3/8” I.D. fuel hose and screw it about an 1.5” into the hole where you just removed the plug. Slowly pure about 8 oz. of engine oil into the hose via a funnel. Wait about 3 minutes, remove the hose, and replace the oil galley plug. Your pump should now be primed and ready for the engine to start. If you do not have oil pressure right away, shut down the engine and do not start it again until you have corrected whatever has caused the problem.
Engine Pro Technical Committee and Melling Tool Company
Priming the GM LS Oil Pump
Priming your oil pump and your engine before startup is very important, but it is often difficult on engines with a front crank-driven oil pump. Here is where a pressurized oil priming tank is handy. It is common with the GM LS engines to replace the pump in the car. Here are some important steps that need to be addressed before starting the engine.
The LS oil pick-up screen is attached to the bottom of the pump and sealed with an o-ring. It is important that the correct o-ring be installed, or air may leak in and cause severe engine damage. Use engine oil to lubricate the o-ring and install it on the pick-up tube, then install the tube to the oil pump. This is a good time to install a new pick-up screen rather than chance getting any debris from the old screen into your new pump that can easily cause a by-pass to stick, creating a low or no oil pressure condition.
When installing the pump, it is important to locate the pump and install the locating bolts just finger tight. Once all the bolts are snug, torque the bolts to the correct torque spec, working around the pump in a star pattern. It is time to complete the engine assembly. Make sure your oil level is correct and fill the new oil filter with new clean oil before installation.
To prime the pump, use an 8mm Allen wrench to remove the oil galley plug on the left, lower, front corner of the block. Use a 2-ft. long length of 3/8” I.D. fuel hose and screw it about an 1.5” into the hole where you just removed the plug. Slowly pure about 8 oz. of engine oil into the hose via a funnel. Wait about 3 minutes, remove the hose, and replace the oil galley plug. Your pump should now be primed and ready for the engine to start. If you do not have oil pressure right away, shut down the engine and do not start it again until you have corrected whatever has caused the problem.
Engine Pro Technical Committee and Melling Tool Company
