I looked in the How-To section & Tech Info, but to no avail. I'm needing some info on replacing the oil pump on a '99 SLE with the non-SC 3800. I just had to replace the water pump & when I tried to drive it home, it made a loud knocking/rattling from the bottom side of the car. The oil pressure guage was jumping all over the place, so I'd say that this is no sending unit problem. I didn't investigate exactly where the noise was coming from (maybe the front of the engine, maybe the back) because I was frustrated. That water pump job was easier than I expected, but no walk in the park. Since I'm a broke ****, any help would be appreciated.

Our oil pumps are bolted into the timing cover. They are also driven off the crank. This makes them the most reliable pumps you've ever come across. Any oil pressure issues are typically bearing related or pressure blow off valve related.

Blow off is located behind the oil filter adapter when it'* bolted to the engine.

Do you or anyone know where I might find a write-up of how to replace it? If it requires removing the timing chain cover, then it probably goes over my head as far as a "stupid easy" repair.

I don't know of one...but here'* how it would go.

Remove alternator and it'* tensioner bracket.
Remove passenger tire and splash shield
Remove harmonic balancer
Remove timing cover
Flip timing cover over and remove the torx 5 screws holding the oil pump cover
Lift oil pump out of the cover.
Put new in and reverse the procedure for installation of parts.

I should be able to get you some pics of an oil pump in the cover if you'd like. Pretty sure there'* one or two laying around.

I didn't check in very often. I'll be trying to do this tomorrow morning. Hopefully it won't be as bad as I'm dreading. Thanks for your help. If I run into any trouble, I may be asking more questions.

Ask away..

I finished putting a transmission together. If you need the pics..I can get them for you.

Oh..and yeah, the harmonic balancer..yep..special bolts. M6 x 1.0 by at least 75mm.