I finally got the 455 in my Regal a few days ago, got everything hooked up, double-checked everything, so I started it for the first time... Sounded awesome then my friend told me to shut if off, I go to the front of the car and there is oil pouring out of it from somewhere! The oil filter gasket had came off on the bottom side of the filter. There was about an inch or so where the gasket had popped out and it was pouring out oil. So, not knowing what else to do, I filled it back up and tried another filter (Purolator)... same thing. I thought maybe there was a small possibility that I just had a bad batch of filters or something, so I tried a different (Wix) filter... same thing. I took the oil pump off, everything looked fine. I have no idea why it's doing this... can anyone help me?
I'm sure you've checked this, but just in case....are you SURE that there isnt and old rubber gasket stuck to the oil filter housing? Sometimes the gasket sticks to the housing when replacing the filter. Then you install a new filter and you wind up with two gaskets instead of one. Instant major leak.
Yeah, I checked that already. That was one of the first things I thought of... I can't really describe the way it looks, but it's like there was WAY too much pressure inside the oil pump and it was enough to push the gasket out of the way. But the filter was on pretty tight every time...
The EXACT thing happened to me and I posted on the board the problem.Here's what you must do.Put a drain pan under the oil filter and remove the filter.Then take the appropriate sized wrench and remove the oil pump spring and remove the spring.There is only 1 nut on the front of the oil pump housing.Behind the spring there is a short(approx 3/4 in )sleeve that should move in and out while using a small screwdriver of similar tool.This is a check valve.If it doesnt move freely,that is the reason you are blowing the gaskets on the filters.Use whatever you have to remove this check valve and when you get it out,make sure its clean inside there and polish up the check valve.It would be in your best interest to take the oil pump housing off and clean it up again.Watch for the gears falling out,Repack the oil pump and put the check valve and spring back in and then try it.Do NOT use Fram filters as they suck and blow out easy too.I used AC filters and they did exactly the same too. Hope this helps.
BigNastyGS probably has the problem pinned down pretty well. That said, I'd take a look at the oil pumps filter gasket sealing surface. It's pretty narrow where the gasket seats. I've seen some of these damaged with a deep enough groove dinged or cut in that you could spring a leak there.
Like Pat said, check the oil pressure relief valve. That valve should move in its bore. If it doesn't, it's possible for the pump to make very high pressures. The only other thing I can think of is you have a V6 oil pump cover. The V6 takes a smaller filter. If you put the bigger filter on the smaller pump cover nipple, the misfit could cause a leak. o No:
I had that happen to me to me when I fired up my new motor last summer. Turned out I just had a filter with a bad gasket, deformed in one small area.
Is there an oil pressure gauge on this thing? Sounds like the relief valve is stuck and you have WAY too much pressure. Jim Burek
Well, thanks, that was the problem. It was stuck pretty bad. I had to use a bolt, a big hammer, and lots of penetrating oil to get that thing out. I got an oil pump rebuild kit from the part store and it fixed everything. Thank God for the internet and you guys, I would never have figured this one out on my own!
Well done - Just a little more detail for the (lurking) Chevy guy here: Isn't the oil pump inside the pan? Did you have to drop the pan while you were doing this? Or are you guys refering to the oil filter adapter that bolts up into the block? Thanks, K
Keith, The oil pump is the part you referred to as the oil filter adapter.If you remove the filter there are a few bolts that hold it to the block.When you seperate the lower part there are 2 gears in there.1 has a long stem that drives the distributor and the other is just a gear that has a hole in it and rides on a sorta shaft.These two mesh and make up the drive system for the pump.This is why a Buick is easy to change the oil pump on as opposed to a Chevy,which you have to remove the oil pan. Hope this wasn't too confusing.Buicks oil pump are external Chevy internal.
See above post :TU: Buick oil pumps are external, and on the front of the of the engine. Completely different from a Chevy.
