KA24DE Oil Pump Issues

[MezaS13]

How do I know if my oil pump is working on my S13? (An easy way)
Earlier today I looked at all the pulleys on the front of the engine and there seems to be one that is not rotating when the engine is on. Its the one at the very bottom and center of the engine block. I checked this because I'm starting to get a rough noise at 2200/2300 RPM and I think it's my timing chain, maybe its loose since there is no oil pressure and the tensioner is not working properly. All I need to know is, Should the pulley in the bottom middle of the engine block be spinning when the engine is running?

[Jabberwocky]

The way youre describing that it sounds like the crank pulley isn't spinning, and Im not sure how that wouldn't spin with the motor running. That would be your problem though because the oil pump is driven by the end of the crankshaft, right inside the timing cover behind the pulley.

Id say check the keyway in the end of the crank, perhaps that was sheared off and thats why its not spinning.

[MezaS13]

OK, I went for a second look. Front-to-back the 1st belt is spinning, the 2nd one is spinning, but the third one doesn't seem to spin even with the A/C on. There is no annoying belt whine, but it is full of grime and what-not.

You say the oil pump works internally via the crankshaft and not with a belt?

[Jabberwocky]

Yes, when you install the lower timing cover the crank sticks out through a hole in that cover. Inside the hole and the end of the crank are shaped so that it will only go on one way (shaped like a circle with 2 flat sides) and this drives the oil pump.

How much slack do you have in your belts? Is your oil light on in the gauge cluster?

Looking at the front of the motor, the water pump is directly above the crank, power steering and AC are on the right and alternator is on the left.

Oil pressure gauges are fairly inexpensive, and by searching this site I'm sure you can find a write up on how to install an electric or manual.

[MezaS13]

I don't have slack on the belts and the oil light is not on.

I should have the oil pressure checked.

[MezaS13]

Nevermind, the belt is moving and everything is in order. The sound I was talking about is coming from the exhaust system, something is probably loose from the OEM headers.