is my oil pump on it's last breath? need help ASAP

[Mac]

Started up my car the other day, lifters were ticking a bit, but it was cold so I figured it'd be fine after it warmed up and oil got circulated. Well, after driving for a while the noise didn't go away, just got worse. Stopped the car, did some shopping, came out and checked the oil, thought it was low. There was lots of oil in it.
I'm thinking the oil pump isn't feeding the top end with much/if any oil. Is this a fair bet?

3.1L V6 btw, in a 1994 Grand 'Am

[Mac]

also, if it is the oil pump, how hard is it to change? should just have to drop the oil pan and take the pump out right?

[Corpse]

Well, it is possible. Do you have a pressure guage? if so, where is it at?

There could just be a blockage in your system. the sump (pickup) for the oil pump can become clogged with gunk at the bottom of the pan, this can be cleaned to like-new again though.

Change the oil filter lately? Bring your car to a bussiness? Some bussiness', nio matter how nice of a GM dealer or whatnot will NOT change your filter some of the time. A couple friends of mine work at different GM service centers and even they do it. So, if you don't change your own oil, the filter could be old.

There could be a blockage kater in the system or a lifter may have debris in it, or perhaps one failed.

The only real way to tell is use an Oil PSI guage and test the engine at multiple points of the oiling system.

If you have to replace the pump, you must remove the flexplate/flywheel splash guard and your starter. Depending on vehicle, you may have to remove splash shields or other things.

Once you take the pan off, it's right up there. You will have to turn the oil pump drive to make it fit in place when installing a new one.

i just did this a few days ago. I got a 2.8 with 152K MI so, I did my breathing of new life into it. Everything has been changed except the Pistons/Rods/Crank. Craziness! I'm a little nuts.

BTW, I did not need to replace all those parts, I just did cause I like to have fresh parts on an engine. I think more people should be "randomely" replacing stuff liek the timing chain and oil pump. It never hurts to have a new one. (Ok, I lied. It hurts, your wallet)

-Dave

[Corpse]

BTW, please check your coolant level. Your engine, which should be a 3100 SFI has a potential leak in the intake gaskets. This can cause Coolant to seep into the lifter valley causing lifter/cam noise and then, potentially destroying the cam bearings, rod bearings, etc.

If the coolant is low check the oil for ANY traces of coolant. Do not run your engine if it is ticking and has coolant in the oil. You will need a new engine pretty much if you do that.

[bszopi]

Unfortunately, with a 3100, the oil pan isn't as easy to change. There are the 4 side mount bolts that go into the main caps. The back ones are blocked by the tranny and usually require a special tool to get off with the tranny and engine in place.

[geoffinbc]

If you pull the oil fill cap when the engine is running can you see oil splashing over the rockers? That is the true sign your lifters are getting oil.

[Mac]

Okay, well I changed the oil and the filter out, which quietened it down alot. The filter was quite gummed up. The oil light still comes on every once and a while when the car is idling, but goes off at rpm's higher then idle.
And yes with the oil cap off you can see oil splashing onto the valvetrain.

[Mac]

There could just be a blockage in your system. the sump (pickup) for the oil pump can become clogged with gunk at the bottom of the pan, this can be cleaned to like-new again though.

-Dave

about 90% sure theres just a blockage now, since replacing the oil and gummed up filter quietened it down ALOT. Is there a good oil additive that will clean the sump and screen up, as well as anything else that might be blocked?
I've used diesel oil w/conditioner before to clean them out, but not too sure if it would agree with an engine with this high miles.

[geoffinbc]

USE SEAFOAM. Everyone loves it. Put 1/3 in the intake 1/3 in the fuel and 1/3 in the oil. Run it for 500K and drain the oil.

[Mac]

USE SEAFOAM. Everyone loves it. Put 1/3 in the intake 1/3 in the fuel and 1/3 in the oil. Run it for 500K and drain the oil.

where can i get it?

[geoffinbc]

NAPA

[zoideraserb]

Seafoam does work good. Some of the old school mechanics have put kerosene in their oil to clean up the internals but i wouldn't recommend it. Also i know that some people put ATF in there and it works well too. i'm having the same problem with my ex's car as your having with your's. It ticks and the "low oil" light is one sometimes despite oil level up to spec. I think that when i change it out for a new filter and put some Mobil 1 5w-30 in there along with seafoam that it will clean it out and help it alot. If not then i'll bea tearing the bottom end apart for a new oil pump, and if i do i'll do a write-up for it

[60dgrzbelow0]

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