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Using a GM PF63 oil filter on your 2010 5.3L

Toggenburg

Full Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2021
Messages
24
I have put 40K on my AV since I got it 2 years ago. Now has 223K.
I have found that my dash warning system displays a warning of severe engine damage if I keep running.
I had a former GM dealership (now operates as an independent with the same GM techs) do their thing on it.
They replaced the oil pressure switch and said the little screen/filter below it (just above the actual oil filter) was clean, and they did not replace that screen.
They put on the standard GM filter, and in about 100 miles of use, the oil pressure gauge would read about no higher than 10 to 15 psi.
I changed oil and replaced the oil filter with a PF63 one.
I had read that it has like a 22 psi valve on it vs whatever the 15 or so psi one GM says should be on my engine.
Immediately, with the PF63, my gauge reads 30 to 40 psi, and higher when the AFM kicks into 4 cylinders.
It's odd, I never see comments about similar issues and I don't recall where I first found out about the higher oil filter valve making the difference.
So, usually, I change the oil around 2000 miles (the dash indicates anywhere from 60 to 70 oil life remaining).
So, is my experience different from others here?
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Odd thing, my wife has a 2004 Suburban with an older 5.3L and 195K on it, the oil pressure (on the dash) always shoots up to 80 psi and stays there until key if off.
It should show higher pressure on any gauge as the rpms increase, and drop somewhat at idle...
 
The oil pressure sensor on your wife's Suburban is most likely bad.

Shooting up to 80 and staying there is a common issue with those sensors.

I think you may be surprised what the gauge shows when you get the new sensor installed.

Been there, done that.
 
2010 uses a PF48
The PF63 is a longer version of the PF48
 
Thanks, but there is a 7 psi difference between the 2, and at 15 psi, my particular engine setup causes low operating oil pressure DTC warnings, until I found out the difference. Changing to the PF63 has solved that issue for me completely. Looks like no one else has had this problem, or resolved it some other way.

Here is the complete GM Service Bulletin No.: 17-NA-157 Date: May-2017

"Today's engine has very tight tolerances, two stage oil pumps and high flow lubrication system requirements.
The proper match of oil filter to engine application is more important than it has ever been in the past.
The use of a replacement oil filter with an internal bypass valve opening pressure specifications of 15 PSI (100 kPa) or less, allows debris to circulate in the engine causing damage to bearings and other tight tolerances areas, which may result in premature engine failure.
The oil pressure was increased to accommodate these tighter tolerances. As a result, the oil filter specifications of the production oil filter and the service oil filter were also improved to meet the new engine requirements.
Beginning in 2012, the oil pumps began to regulate main gallery feedback instead of pump out pressure.
This means that the oil pump now does not begin to regulate until pressure is built up to the main gallery.
This change reduces the amount of time it takes to provide oil to the engine bearing and lifters during extreme cold start conditions.
Main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are present on the following engine families which use Spin-on oil filters: Small Gas Engine (SGE), Large Gas Engine (LGE), High Feature (HFV6) Gen2 and Small Block Gen5 gasoline engines.
These engines with the main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are factory built with an ACDelco® oil filters. Important:
The PF64 and PF63, which is commonly confused by many in the automobile service industry as an ACDelco® PF48 and/or PF48E , because both oil filters have the same appearance and oil can size. However these oil filters are not the same and have different internal bypass valve opening pressure specifications (PF48/PF48E = 15 PSI (100 kPa), PF64/PF63E = 22 PSI (150 kPa).
Note: Any aftermarket filter must also have an internal bypass valve opening pressure specification, element integrity, filtration performance, media particle trap specification and burst strength that is equivalent to the ACDelco PF64/PF63E filters".

To repeat the main point> "However these oil filters are not the same and have different internal bypass valve opening pressure specifications (PF48/PF48E = 15 PSI (100 kPa), PF64/PF63E = 22 PSI (150 kPa)".

Now, this bulletin references starting with 2012 models, they changed the oil pump.....well, I purchased my 2010 AV and not long after, the shop replaced my oil pump, I betcha the put in a newer pump than what my AV came with and hence why I have a NEED for the higher 22 psi relief valve.
 
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