2000 S6

hi,
my ws6 has about 90 k on it, and i was wondering what the tell tale signs of a failing oil pump were. for the past few weeks, i've been hearing a funny noise at idle, kind of like the belt isn't aligned right, or something, and right away i thought about my oil pump since my water pump has been replaced 500 miles ago.
coincidently, it started after staring my engine for the first time after cleaning the engine with a can of degreaser. it may not have anything to do with it. i found a stain in my driveway weeks after cleaning the engine, and although i do not know if it is oil or tranny fluid, the darkness makes me think its oil. sorry for being so vague, but if anyone has insight, can u let me know?
also if a oil pump fails, does it do so slowly or all at once? is there a dummy light that comes on?
thanks
robert

Gregg1LE

iTrader: (5)

Watch your oil pressure guage ! What are your pressures at startup,at speed and at idle? If I had even a doubt that my pump was going bad that bitch would be in the recycle bin in a heartbeat.

I have a friend whose pump on his '99 SS went in a matter of minutes. He had to have the bottom end rebuilt.....

2000 S6

i will check and follow up...thanks for the post.

CTSmechanic

iTrader: (2)

I lost the stock pump on my 00 WS6 At first it would take a few seconds longer for the guage to read then it got worse where the lifters would clatter but it would go away and then finally nothing at all It was never driven with no oil pressure and I had it replaced but the motor has a slight vibration now... so go figure

01ls1lover

iTrader: (18)

Scary ****...

2000 S6

ok...at idle i am at 35 and arount town its 45. at 80 mph cruisin it's at 55. as you know...dead center of the gauge is 40.

ArcticZ28

iTrader: (14)

Those numbers don't seem too bad, considering you're reading the dummy gauge, but that doesn't mean the pump isn't failing. It just means it is still pumping hard enough to get decent pressure. If I were you, I'd start with the easy things like removing the a/c belt and see if it goes away. If it doesn't, then listen to hear if it's the tensioner. Spray a bit of WD-40 on the inside of the belts and see if it goes away, etc. Try everything possible to isolate the sound first.

Gregg1LE

iTrader: (5)

Those are exactly the same pressures as my 79,000 mile 2000 Z.Follow Arctic's advice and try isolating the sound.If you can't, take it to a professional .
Good luck!

2000 S6

thanks everyone. i appreciate the comments.