Signs of an oil pump failure?

[Twisted]

I have a mechanical oil pressure guage. When I first installed it the needle stay steady at whatever pressure I was at. ~20psi at idle. Now it is fluctuating +/-3 psi so fast it is making noise. Do you think this is the begining signs of an oil pump failure? Or is it air in the line somehow? How hard are oil pumps to change?

 

[sgarlic]

Sounds more like gauge failure or air in the line than oil pump failure to me. What year vehicle?

 

[hognutz]

I would verify it is not the guage first. I would not think the pump would fail like that. I don't think air in the line would cause that either. air compresses pretty nicely under pressue.

 

[1LowGT]

when the gauge reads 10 psi then worry

 

[the98stang]

the gauge is most likely failing. If your car has low miles, it's unlikely that the pump is failing.

 

[Twisted]

45,000 miles, 2 year old gauge.

 

[bakos24]

I with the other guys here. Sounds like your gauge has gone bye bye.