Lextreme II
Active Member
Not easy is the answer. It is prettty much impossible to change it without taking the motor out. The oil pump not only mounted in front of the block, it also mounts to the oil pump pan and oil pickup pipe. So in order to take out the oil pick up pan (aluminum portion), you have to remove the cross member and the rack & pinion along with few other things. From there I am still not sure if you can remove the pick up pan from there.
Obviously you have to remove everything in the front of the engine (water pump, timing belt, brackets, pullies and so on). So basically it is a lot of work and will cost labor wise anywhere from $800-$1000 USD. However, most shops would take out the motor and change it outside of the car.
So my advice always have been when you do a rebuild, don't forget the oil pump. It is unlikely it will create any problems, but it is better to be safe than sorry. My friend just had his oil pump gone out on him and he had to take out the whole motor just to replace it.
Pic # 1: A brand new oil pump from Lexus Dealer
Pic # 2: A picture of the oil pickup pipe and related structures
Pic # 3: A view from the bottom of the oil pump
Obviously you have to remove everything in the front of the engine (water pump, timing belt, brackets, pullies and so on). So basically it is a lot of work and will cost labor wise anywhere from $800-$1000 USD. However, most shops would take out the motor and change it outside of the car.
So my advice always have been when you do a rebuild, don't forget the oil pump. It is unlikely it will create any problems, but it is better to be safe than sorry. My friend just had his oil pump gone out on him and he had to take out the whole motor just to replace it.
Pic # 1: A brand new oil pump from Lexus Dealer
Pic # 2: A picture of the oil pickup pipe and related structures
Pic # 3: A view from the bottom of the oil pump