Hey guys,

I have a question for you guy'*. Is the oil pump on these 3800 V6'* in the oil pan like a small block chevy would be? I just looked at my Alldata and it should them taking off the engine front cover?

I ask because i may have to change my oil pump, I'm not sure just yet. My oil pressure goes down to just a hair above the red line on the stock guage, only at idle. at 2000 rpms it is somewhere around 50-60 lbs. No noises, i just changed the oil again tonight, because i only noticed this after my last oil change and 10w30 oil with a carquest filter. I just changed to 10w40 and an A/C delco, didn't test drive it yet.

Thanks,
Sellncars

It is in the timing cover but this may just be the oil pressure sender unit gone bad.

I would be happier the hell to just have to change that again. I changed it 2 years ago. This time i would buy a GM oil sender, i won't buy anything again at Advanced or Auto Zone, they carry junk!

Thanks,
Sellncars

Yes it is a gerotor style oil pump, integrated into the timing cover. Not really a joy to replace. I'd check your sending unit, if that'* not it it might be a bad guage cluster connection. But 50-60 PSI at operationg RPM is acceptable by far, even if idle is a little low.

Most reputable shops will have an oil pressure gauge that they can put into the block in place of the oil pressure sending unit to verify the true oil pressure. Before you put the time into replacing your oil pump (which is not a fun job), I would suggest you have this diagnosis performed to find out the true pressure.

As mentioned Sellin.. the type of oil pump we have, very rarely goes bad. Simply on a matter of the style of pump.

Confirm with a mechanical gauge.

Thanks for the help guy'*. I drove the car all day long and not a single problem, the oil pressure is up around 38 - 40 at idle now and 50-60 at 2000 rpm'*. I think it had to do with the oil filter or maybe just the 10w30. I switched to 10w40 and a delco filter.

I also got around to cleaning the evap core today, it was just a little dirty, not a bad job at all and i would like to thank the person that placed his info in the tech article. It was very helpful.

Thanks again,
Sellncars