'01 Impala 3400 oil pump R&R

[Brad_Olson]

Yesterday my '01 Impala's "Low Oil Pressure" light came on. It has the 3400 engine and after topping off the oil the light now comes on intermittently.

This afternoon I'm going to replace the sending unit and change the oil, and hope for the best. However, if that doesn't do the trick...

...how difficult is it to replace the oil pump? I've been poking around online a bit and it seems that dropping and installing the pan will be the worst parts of the job.

Thanks!

Brad

[Fireball]

Hows the motor running?
Is it possible that you have a bad oil pressure sender?

[Brad_Olson]

Hows the motor running?
Is it possible that you have a bad oil pressure sender?

That's what I'm hoping. Later today I'm going to replace the sender, change the oil, and cross my fingers...

It's actually running fairly well with no unusual noises. It does have over 267,000 miles so I'm hoping that it is indeed the sender that's gone bad; I've had it happen on other vehicles I've owned.

Shop quote to replace the pump is $500 labor so I'm hoping to do it myself if it comes to that. Then again, I could pick up a used engine, freshen it up a bit, and pay the shop a little more to swap it in, but the car's 12 years old and the body's starting to go (my kid drives it now) so that might be a bit tough to justify.

[Brad_Olson]

It looks like it was the sensor and not the oil pump, at least right now. Replaced it and the light's stayed off since then.

[Fireball]

It looks like it was the sensor and not the oil pump, at least right now. Replaced it and the light's stayed off since then.

Good stuff man, had a similar experience with our Century!