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Got ya. So by removing that plug I should be able to see part of the barbell? I will be surprised if it is not there but at the same time I’m pretty baffled as to how I can have so much contamination in my drained oil yet my filter be so clean it’s just not really adding up. I’m also going to pull my valve covers off today and see if I have any flakes or specs in the heads
Yes, if you remove the plug, you should be able to see part of the barbell. You'll probably see the shaft of the barbell rather than the two large ends. If the barbell is missing, all you will see is an empty oil gally.
My oil pressure is completely normal and what it should be so the likeliness of the barbell missing in my opinion is very low.
So basically what you are saying is take this MF to Carmax and dump it right? lol
Ignore that comment about no oil pressure if the barbell is missing. That is totally false. The barbell controls flow direction, not pressure. There is nowhere for the oil to escape even if the barbell is missing because the rear cover seals the hole off where the barbell goes.
Believe what you want. I would dump the car. Its gonna cost you major time and money. So think about how much your going to lose fixing the engine to losing trading it in. It might be a wash. Anyway you go your going to lose money. How much is the question. The headaches of removing an engine and replacing without issues we be very rare.
Couldn't resist seeing what AI has on a missing oil barbell in an LS3 , ---->
Yes, if the LS3 oil diverter barbell is missing, oil pressure will be lost, and oil will dump directly back into the pan, starving the engine of lubrication. The barbell forces oil through the filter; without it, oil bypasses the filter, leading to severe, unfiltered oil circulation and engine failure.
Consequences of a Missing Barbell:
Fatal Oil Pressure Loss: The oil galley passage remains open, allowing oil to bypass the engine and dump back into the oil pan.
Zero Filter Function: Oil is not directed through the filter, allowing contaminants to reach the cam bearings, lifters, and crank.
Engine Damage: Due to the severe drop in pressure, the engine will likely suffer immediate damage.
Ignore that comment about no oil pressure if the barbell is missing. That is totally false. The barbell controls flow direction, not pressure. There is nowhere for the oil to escape even if the barbell is missing because the rear cover seals the hole off where the barbell goes.
Right, but if it were bypassing the filter how could that possibly not affect the pressure?!
Originally Posted by helga203
Believe what you want. I would dump the car. It’s gonna cost you major time and money. So think about how much you’re going to lose fixing the engine to losing trading it in. It might be a wash. Anyway you go your going to lose money. How much is the question. The headaches of removing an engine and replacing without issues we be very rare.
Although that’s exactly what I don’t wanna hear I think you are totally correct. I’ve tried to be optimistic about this whole situation but truth is it’s going to cost me quite a bit of money either way I go. The question is which one is less of a headache. So selling the car to Carvana or Carmax is likely the route I will take although they are going to burn me up.
Originally Posted by Dzv69
Couldn't resist seeing what AI has on a missing oil barbell in an LS3 , ---->
Yes, if the LS3 oil diverter barbell is missing, oil pressure will be lost, and oil will dump directly back into the pan, starving the engine of lubrication. The barbell forces oil through the filter; without it, oil bypasses the filter, leading to severe, unfiltered oil circulation and engine failure.
Consequences of a Missing Barbell:
Fatal Oil Pressure Loss: The oil galley passage remains open, allowing oil to bypass the engine and dump back into the oil pan.
Zero Filter Function: Oil is not directed through the filter, allowing contaminants to reach the cam bearings, lifters, and crank.
Engine Damage: Due to the severe drop in pressure, the engine will likely suffer immediate damage.
I’m not an engine builder but this is basically exactly what I was thinking. My wife gives me crap for using AI but so far it has been pretty damn spot on with everything I’ve asked lol
Right, but if it were bypassing the filter how could that possibly not affect the pressure?!
Because even with the filter bypassed, the oil still has to flow through the rest of the engine, just as it did without bypassing the filter. If anything, the oil pressure at the oil pressure sensor will read a higher value when the filter is bypassed because there is no pressure lost at the oil filter.
I found this picture of an LS3 block and circled in red the galley plug that I think is the correct one to view the presence of the barbell. I hope that helps.
Right, but if it were bypassing the filter how could that possibly not affect the pressure?!
Because even with the filter bypassed, the oil still has to flow through the rest of the engine, just as it did without bypassing the filter. If anything, the oil pressure at the oil pressure sensor will read a higher value when the filter is bypassed because there is no pressure lost at the oil filter.
I found this picture of an LS3 block and circled in red the galley plug that I think is the correct one to view the presence of the barbell. I hope that helps.
Ignore that comment about no oil pressure if the barbell is missing. That is totally false. The barbell controls flow direction, not pressure. There is nowhere for the oil to escape even if the barbell is missing because the rear cover seals the hole off where the barbell goes.
There is a gap between the rear cover and the machined back face of the engine block equal to the thickness of the rear cover gasket.
With the barbell missing, oil will flow out this gap and back into the pan.
There is a gap between the rear cover and the machined back face of the engine block equal to the thickness of the rear cover gasket.
With the barbell missing, oil will flow out this gap and back into the pan.
I was thinking that the rear cover bolted up tightly to the back face of the engine block to seal that area off. If that is not the case, then, yes, all oil pressure will be lost as the oil leaks out of that area when the barbell is missing. In that case, I don't have a clue as to what could be causing the OP's symptoms of particles in the oil, but not in the oil filter.
I was thinking that the rear cover bolted up tightly to the back face of the engine block to seal that area off. If that is not the case, then, yes, all oil pressure will be lost as the oil leaks out of that area when the barbell is missing. In that case, I don't have a clue as to what could be causing the OP's symptoms of particles in the oil, but not in the oil filter.
Well, sounds like I need to keep searching for answers. My luck with cars is unbelievable
Do you have any of the old oil from your last oil change you could send in for analysis?
Yes but it didn’t have enough miles on it for an analysis. I’ve got a few hundred miles on my current oil and when I get around a thousand miles on it I’ll send a sample in.
Yes but it didn’t have enough miles on it for an analysis. I’ve got a few hundred miles on my current oil and when I get around a thousand miles on it I’ll send a sample in.
All the oil that your going through you probably could of bought the parts that are bad. just giving you some humor with all this **** your going through.
All the oil that your going through you probably could of bought the parts that are bad. just giving you some humor with all this **** your going through.
bro you have no idea how much money I’ve spent on oil and filters, it’s ridiculous
Ok, were or have, your heads been swapped recently?
I got a set to replace the OEM LS7 Exploding version and they were filled with swarf, zero points to the well known vendor/porter who sent them like that. I scrubbed them as best as I could but some of the water gallery's etc are pretty deep, Im certain some chunks will have fallen into the oil pan.
Ok, were or have, your heads been swapped recently?
I got a set to replace the OEM LS7 Exploding version and they were filled with swarf, zero points to the well known vendor/porter who sent them like that. I scrubbed them as best as I could but some of the water gallery's etc are pretty deep, Im certain some chunks will have fallen into the oil pan.
TLDR; Maybe its swarf from the heads.
Just bought the car back in November from a dealer. The car was completely stock and I haven’t done anything to it. IF the heads have ever been changed then they put stock 821 heads back on.
I have a possible explanation for your problem. The barbell may be missing. The purpose of the barbell is to direct oil flow through the oil filter. If the barbell is missing, oil will not go through the filter, but merely circulates throughout the engine without ever being filtered. That would explain why you have particles in the oil, but no particles in the oil filter. Unfortunately, you have to remove the rear engine cover to see if the barbell is there or not, and that is a big job any way you look at it. I wish I had better news.
I did a little looking around to see if there was an easy way to detect whether or not the barbell is present in your engine. I found this on the LS1 fourm:
You can pull the oil plug in the back of the block that goes in at a 45 degree angle up on the drivers side and see the shaft of the barbell if it is in place.
You should find that plug just above the oil filter. It should be a simple matter to remove that plug and have a look. A small inspection mirror may be required. Good luck!
is this access point "window" on all LS engines (LS7)?
just giving you some humor with all this **** your going through.
