Bad Oil Pump? Need help asap

[blkonblk240sx]

Ok this is that is happening and has happened. About 2 months ago my oil light would stay on for like a minute when i would turn the car on. Then when I would come to a stop at a stop light it would come on til i would give it some gas and it would go off. Well one day it stayed on for like 5 minutes and I didn't drive it. I let it sit for like 4 days then I started it and the light came on for like 10 minutes and it was clicking really loud. Then it went off and I said its ok clicking gone. Well now the light still comes on when I start it but only for like 30 seconds, but not when I stop or any other time. I installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge this week end and this is what it does:

At cold start 0-15 psiAt hot start 20-25 psi

At idle 25-30 psi

At 2000 rpms 25 psiAt 3000 rpms 25 psiAt 4000- 5000 20 psi

Now is moves from 25 to 30 psi if I rev it but then it drops to 20 psiand it don't seem to go any higher that 30 once it hits 30 it drops down.

Any one if you can help me let me know cause I need to know what I can do to solve my problem. Thank you.

Also it still clicks when i come to a stop if I had it in high rpms like on the highway and after a minute or so it goes away.

[DAEDALUS]

That's very bad news. How long since you last changed the oil, and how often have you been changing it? What brand of filters have you been using?

[blkonblk240sx]

Oil change was last done in jan. fixing to get it done again tomorrow and it has a fram filter on it. I have owned the car since Dec.

[DAEDALUS]

I assume you've at least checked the oil level? Fram filters are bad news, but a single filter is probably not the cause of your woes, unless the cardboard inside broke up and is floating around in the engine now.You may have unknowingly bought a lemon. Did the light start coming on before or after the last oil change? A thicker oil will help raise the pressure, but not enough. Verify your gauge is accurate. 25-30psi is too high for hot idle. 20psi is way too low for 5000 RPMs. What kind of oil did you put in it?

[blkonblk240sx]

The light came on after the oil change but not right after more like a month or so later. When I got the car it had little if any oil in it. And it had a mobil 1 (it was blue and white) or something like that oil filter on it to begin with. I had put in 10-w30 oil when it was changed. I did the oil change myself. Do you think i need to drop the oil pan and check the pick up screen and tubes for obstructions? The car has 165,000 miles on the chassis and it has a newer motor in it with like 110,000 or so miles on the clock.

[DAEDALUS]

Man, the story's not getting better. Little if any oil when you bought it? Rebuilt engine? You can check for obstructions, but my guess (JUST A GUESS) is that the engine is on it's way out. Change the oil at least once more and use a quality filter. Factory filter is probably the best value, especially if you get it wholesale (our sponsors sell things much cheaper than your local dealerships). Verify the pressure again with a different gauge. Look under the valve cover for signs of sludge/abuse/neglect, and pull one of the cam bearings to check the clearance. Only if that's good would I bother to check other things, like pick-up and main bearing clearance, or the oil pump. Too many rebuilds go to the lowest bidder. There's usually a good reason they're the cheapest.

[blkonblk240sx]

No, its a motor from the junkyard and I will get the oil changed today. The gauge I bought was from O'reillys and it was like 20 bucks. I was planning on getting a rebuilt motor from my dad for 500 bucks but I wanted to see if I can atleast drive the car for a little longer before I rip the motor out cause I need to get to work and stuff. I need little if any down time. I have Weds. and Sun. off so I got to do it on those days.

I was planning on buying an oil pump but if I don't need it then forget spending 200 bucks on it since I need front wheel bearings and tires.

[blkonblk240sx]

Ok I changed the oil but before i did I put in some gunk oil treatment to dissolve stuff. Well I changed it and it took like 10 minutes for it to build up pressure but same results (damn clicking was loud as heck). I put in 20-50 oil so that on cold starts it will still have oil up top. So I'm leaning toward the fact that its the oil pump. Any one have any clues or ideas? If I had the time I would drop the pan and clean the heck out of it and inspect the pick up tube but before I do I need more input. Also anyone know where I can get a front left abs sensor for cheap?

[Chezedik]

Is it single or twin cam. I do not know much about SOHC motor, but on the DOHC there is a relief on the oil pump that seems as if it would be prone to failing with varnish/sludge build up, something like you might see when an engine sat for a while, like say at a junkyard. That's my two cents anyway.