I have a question. How hard is it to replace the oil pump on a 98 3800?

 

JJ have u tried looking on the repair guide on Autozones site?
i would but for the life of me cant remember my password

 

should just have to drain the oil. drop the pan and its right there if im correct.

 

this is the pic that autozone gives for the pump which makes me belive it runs off the crank

 

3.8L Engines


NOTE
The oil pump is located inside the engine front cover.




WARNING
When troubleshooting a low oil pressure complaint, another possibility is a clogged screen on the oil pickup pipe, damaged pipe or gasket. The oil pan will have to be removed to check this. Running the engine without measurable oil pressure will cause extensive and expensive damage.

1. Remove the engine front cover using the procedure found in this section.
2. Remove the oil pump cover attaching screws and remove the cover.
3. Remove the oil pump gears.
4. If desired, remove the oil filter adapter and remove the pressure regulator valve and the spring for cleaning.

To install:

1. Clean all parts well.
2. Lubricate the gears with petroleum jelly, packing all the spaces around the gears, filling the pump cavity. This is important. The petroleum jelly seals the pump cavity to help "prime" the pump. The reduces the time the engine will run with little oil pressure on initial start up after oil pump installation. DO NOT use chassis grease. Petroleum jelly melts at a low temperature and will "go away" as the engine warms.
3. If the oil pressure relief valve was removed, inspect the valve and bore for burrs. Check the spring for loss of tension. Replace the spring if in doubt.
4. Install the pump cover and tighten the screws evenly to 98 inch lbs. (11 Nm).
5. If removed, thoroughly clean the oil pressure relief valve of all varnish and install the spring first, the valve. Use a new oil filter adapter gasket. Install the adapter. Tighten the oil filter adapter bolts evenly to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm).
6. Install the engine front cover using the procedures found in this section.

This is from Autozone's repair guide

 

Wrong.

You're going to have to take off all the necessary parts to get the whole front cover off (including a tool with the threaded bolts to pull the balancer off). Then once the front cover is off- its just like the pic shows- from the back side of the front cover, there are 5 torx bolts holding the plate on- once you remove the plate, you'll see the gears.

Its definitely not going to be a quick job. Why do you need a new oil pump?