Replacing Silverado Oil Pump: Quick, Easy Guide

Changing the oil pump in a Chevy Silverado without removing the oil pan is a complex task that requires careful attention to avoid damaging the engine. The process involves removing several components, including the fan, water pump, harmonic balancer, and timing chain cover. Accessing the oil pump bolt and pickup tube can be particularly challenging, requiring creative use of tools like wrenches, pliers, and magnets. It is essential to tie a string around the bolt to prevent it from falling into the oil pan. The oil pump itself must be carefully disassembled and reassembled, ensuring proper lubrication and gasket placement. While it is possible to complete this task without a lift, it is more challenging and time-consuming.

Remove the fan shroud and fan

To remove the fan shroud and fan from your Silverado, follow these steps:

Begin by removing the front clip. This step is not mandatory, but it will make the process easier. Next, take off all the belts, including the AC belt. Drain the coolant and oil, and replace the oil filter—but do not refill the oil yet. Disconnect all radiator hoses and remove the harmonic balancer. You may need to use a socket to push against the crank and remove the balancer after removing its bolt.

Now, remove the water pump. Take off the plate that covers the timing chain, being careful not to forget the two bolts at the bottom of this plate that go up through the oil pan. These are the only bolts on the pan that need to be removed.

At this point, you will need to access the bolt on the bend pipe, which is inside the pan. Use a small wrench to loosen it, and once it's loose, tie a piece of fishing wire or string around the bolt. This will ensure that if the bolt falls into the pan, you can easily retrieve it without adding hours to your work time. Continue removing the bolt and carefully pull it out of the pan, keeping it on the string for reinstallation later.

With the bolt removed, you can now take out the oil pump itself. Start by taking off the front plate and removing the gears, then remove the four mounting bolts. Getting the oil pump out will require some finesse; spin it towards the top, pull, and get it at a kitty-cornered angle on the gears while pulling down on the flex pipe. Be patient and keep wiggling and working with it until it comes off. Be careful not to use a screwdriver, as you don't want to damage the oil pan gasket.

Now that the oil pump is out, you can move on to the next steps in your oil pump replacement process.

Remove the harmonic balancer

To remove the harmonic balancer from your Chevy Silverado, you will need a few tools, including a harmonic balancer tool, a 3/8-inch ratchet, a 16mm socket, and a 15mm socket. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to remove the harmonic balancer:

Step 1: Loosen the Serpentine Belt

• Turn the serpentine belt tensioner with a 3/8 inch ratchet to loosen the belt.
• Remove the serpentine belt by taking it off the idler pulley, alternator, AC compressor, power steering pump, and crank.

Step 2: Remove the Crank Pulley Bolts

Remove the four bolts on the crank pulley. The center bolt is typically a 16mm bolt, while the other three are 15mm. You may need to use an air tool to remove these bolts if you don't have a way to hold the crank from spinning.

Step 3: Remove the Harmonic Balancer

• Attach a harmonic balancer tool to the harmonic balancer. Make sure you get the correct bolts that thread into the balancer.
• Tighten the bolts on the harmonic balancer tool to the same level.
• Tighten the center bolt on the puller using a socket and ratchet. As you tighten the center bolt, it will pull the harmonic balancer off the crankshaft. You may need to use a pry bar to keep the pulley from spinning.
• Once the harmonic balancer is loose, grab it and pull it off.

By following these steps, you can safely remove the harmonic balancer from your Chevy Silverado. Remember to have the necessary tools and always exercise caution when working on your vehicle.

Remove the water pump

To remove the water pump from a Chevrolet Silverado, follow these steps:

First, drain the radiator of its coolant by removing the drain plug underneath the radiator. Make sure to collect the coolant in a container. Then, using an adjustable wrench, disengage all engine parts attached to the water pump, including the ducts, hose, fan, clutch, and belt.

With all attachments removed, loosen the bolts holding the water pump in place with a 10mm socket wrench. There should be six bolts. Support the water pump as you remove the last bolt, as coolant may spill.

Now, remove the water pump. Use a razor scraper to remove any residual adhesive from the engine block mating surfaces. Clean and dry these surfaces to ensure they are free of oily residue so that the gasket dressing can adhere tightly.

Remove the timing chain cover

To remove the timing chain cover from a Chevy Silverado, you will need to first remove the following parts:

• Fan shroud
• Fan
• Water pump
• Harmonic balancer
• Air intake tube
• Battery

Once these parts have been removed, you can access the timing chain cover. It is worth noting that this process is specifically for 4x4 trucks, which require a significant amount of work to drop the pan.

For those looking to avoid dropping the pan, there is an alternative method. This involves stuffing a rag into the oil pan and removing the skid plate for better access. You will then need to use a small pry bar to apply pressure to the pickup tube, in order to get it flush with the oil pump. A magnet can be used to manoeuvre the bolt into the hole, while a flathead screwdriver can be used to apply pressure to the top of the bolt. Once the magnet is removed, small pliers can be used to tighten the bolt, before finishing with a 10mm wrench.

Remove the oil pickup tube bolt

To remove the oil pickup tube bolt, you will need to access the bolt inside the oil pan. This can be challenging and may require removing the oil pan or loosening it to drop it down for better access. However, some people have managed to access the bolt without removing the oil pan entirely. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Remove the necessary parts to access the oil pan: fan shroud, fan, water pump, harmonic balancer, air intake tube, battery, and timing chain cover.
• Use a wrench to loosen the oil pickup tube bolt. You may need to use a 10mm wrench, depending on your specific model.
• Once the bolt is loose, switch to a pair of forceps or needle-nose pliers to finish removing it. This step can be tricky, as the bolt is in a tight space. Take your time and work carefully to avoid dropping the bolt into the oil pan.
• If needed, you can use a magnet to retrieve the bolt if it falls into the pan.
• With the bolt removed, you can now access the oil pump for replacement or other maintenance.

It is important to note that accessing the oil pickup tube bolt without removing the oil pan can be difficult and may require some creativity. Some people have shared their experiences and offered suggestions, such as using a special bracket or washers to hold the pipe in place. Always exercise caution and make sure you have a stable and safe work environment when performing any maintenance on your vehicle.

Frequently asked questions