Oil Pressure Light on Left Turn

2005 Montana 3.4 with 57K miles. The oil pressure light is coming on when making a left turn and hitting the brakes, or turning in a tight left circle. I replaced the oil pressure sender, problem persists. Low tech test to see if problem was truly oil pressure or shorting wiring - went to a parking lot and went in approx 10 left circles and the lifters let me know they were missing their vital oil, so it is confirmed the low oil pressure light is just that, low oil pressure. Anyone have any history with this problem, suggestions? Forgot to mention, problem is not present on right turns or circles.

...The oil pressure light is coming on when making a left turn and hitting the brakes, or turning in a tight left circle. ...left circles and the lifters let me know they were missing their vital oil, so it is confirmed the low oil pressure light is just that, low oil pressure....

This has all the characteristics of low oil level, or possibly a loose oil pickup in the oil pan. Either way, engine damage is sure to occur unless the root cause is found and soon. Is it still covered under any warranty program? If it is, take it in to the dealer and have them test drive and diagnose.

If not, I suggest two things:

* Confirm the level of oil in the oil pan is correct
* If answer to oil level is 'correct level', remove the oil pan and see what is going on inside.

Looks like the pump is driven off the camshaft, not the crankshaft through an intermediate shaft (similar to old distributor drive setup), I think.

Here is more to the story from my first post. The dealer replaced the oil pan gasket Oct 1, 2008. Of course my extended warranty ran out Dec 7, 2008.

Today I drained the oil in hopes of getting a snake camera to look in the oil pan, no luck finding one.

So I simply put a pen magnet in the oil pan drain hole and found the oil pickup screen assembly loose in the pan.

Mystery solved to loss of oil pressure on left turn. Now the question, in 53K miles this never surfaced as a issue, 4k miles after the pan gasket is replaced it is a issue??

Anyone ever heard of the oil sump screen assembly coming off the pickup tube, or does anyone know how the screen assembly attaches to the pick up tube.

My goal, have the dealer fix this (they caused the problem?), me not trying to drop the subframe to get the oil pan off in my garage with no hoist!!

Let me know what you think, should dealer fix, their fault??

You don't want to try to take that oil pan off--there are so many bolts on it, I'm not sure its possible while its still up in the van. It might be doable, but would be an awful experience I'm sure.
My knowledge is limited to having the engine out and on a stand. In any event, there is no reason that the screen coming loose from the pickup tube would cause a problem--it sounds more like the pickup tube has fallen off the oil pump and then got mashed by the crank shaft which caused the screen to fall out. You need to have that pan removed and the dealer that did the gasket work should do it no charge. If they don't want to, call GM customer assurance and try that way.
Given that currently GM is bankrupt I'm not sure how this will work out for you, but there should be no question that the previous service caused this problem. Start calling right away, the more time/miles that collect since the repair the more they can make the case that its not related.

OK, update on my saga. Dealer - flat out denies they could have been the cause of this issue, but would charge me 90 dollars to see what the problem is, kinda did this already for them.

Called Pontiac Corp, and they echoed what the dealer said, what were the chances of this?

Everyone but one's who should take responsibility have come to the same conclusion, the oil pan seal replacement caused this, but they deny, so I lose, I get it.

Called a independent shop, 600 dollars to fix a problem caused by the dealer, and yes they agree the dealer probably caused the issue.

I have a real problem paying this much coin to have this fixed, so I will do it myself (I was a GM Dealer Mechanic, so I am capable and unfortunately knew this was going to be the result anyways).

The other bummer, I work for GM and was hoping the customer service was better at the company I worked for. The other reason I decided to do repair myself, my employer is almost bankrupt, are laying off scores of people this month, I am upside down in my house in a state with unemployment rates that are highest in the country, need to keep as much money in the bank as possible.

Sorry to vent, will let you all know how the repair comes out and see if there was obvious damage from the previous repair, and yes, the Service Manager at the dealer will have the uncleaned, dripping mess of a oil pump screen held over his desk as I explain to him what I think of his Service Department.:evillol:

The problem you are having and your pick up tube assembly screen being out I wouldn't think are related.

Being that you are only having the problem with oil pressure on sharp left turns sounds more like to me something is outta line with the engine and transmission putting your crankshaft in a bind.

I would check all your mounts, transmission and motor mounts. And have a front end alignment done and see if the problem persists.

[Being that you are only having the problem with oil pressure on sharp left turns sounds more like to me something is outta line with the engine and transmission putting your crankshaft in a bind.

I would check all your mounts, transmission and motor mounts. And have a front end alignment done and see if the problem persists.]

OK, really having a hard time understanding this response, a alignment problem? Please explain further. Thanks

Update on the Left Turn Oil Pressure Issue - Pulled the oil pan and indeed the pickup screen and tube were at the bottom of the oil pan. The pickup tube diameter was not fitting snugly in the oil pump assembly - I still have a issue with thinking this was caused by the dealer, see previous posts.

Few clues if you take on this job at home, it can be done without a hoist, but you do need an engine support bar and good amount of tools as you will need to drop 3/4 of the subframe.

To assemble a new tube assembly to the oil pump bake (make sure the wife does not see you!!) the pump in the oven @ 250 degrees and put the new pickup screen assembly in the freezer, it will assemble much easier after this.

I also found harnesses and critical bolts the dealer did not fasten or tighten. There were also may bolts over torqued from the dealer repair.

In short, took the van to dealer for a oil pan gasket, 3500 miles later this happens, would have been further ahead if I did the oil pan gasket in the first place even with the van under warranty. Will I buy the extended warranty next time, uh, NO.

[Being that you are only having the problem with oil pressure on sharp left turns sounds more like to me something is outta line with the engine and transmission putting your crankshaft in a bind.

I would check all your mounts, transmission and motor mounts. And have a front end alignment done and see if the problem persists.]

OK, really having a hard time understanding this response, a alignment problem? Please explain further. Thanks

That was just an oddball off the wall response I didn't think you or anyone would take that seriously, I have no clue though what would be making it only show up on left hand turns. The screen being out shouldn't have anything to do with that. The only thing that really I could think of that would cause that is being a low on oil and when you make the left hand turns the oil sways over to one side where it can't get picked up by your pick up tube. But I think you've already said you have plenty of oil so I don't know.

[Being that you are only having the problem with oil pressure on sharp left turns sounds more like to me something is outta line with the engine and transmission putting your crankshaft in a bind.

I would check all your mounts, transmission and motor mounts. And have a front end alignment done and see if the problem persists.]

OK, really having a hard time understanding this response, a alignment problem? Please explain further. Thanks

I am having this same problem with my 2002 montana. It has 102000 miles on it. I have had it tested and they cant find anything wrong. but my light comes on when I turn left , going down a hill its really weird. HELP

I am having this same problem with my 2002 montana. It has 102000 miles on it. I have had it tested and they cant find anything wrong. but my light comes on when I turn left , going down a hill its really weird. HELP

Take a look at my (MtnBikerMi) previous posts on this thread. You can verify if the pickup tube has come out of the pump by sticking a pen magnet through the drain plug hole in the pan. If it has fallen out of the pump you will be able to hook it with the magnet and drag it around. The previous posts also give a few tips if you decide to take on this repair at home.