Sudden dramatic loss of oil pressure?

[xracer900z]

Ok, for a little background info the car is a 98 3.8L Heads/Cam/Built internals v6. My car has been a garage queen for a little over a month due to slipping clutch and not having the time/funds lately to fix it. I now have the funds for a new clutch, so that issue has been resolved.

I try to start it once a week just to keep things operating smoothly, the car had sit for 2 weeks without engine running. The engine has been freshly rebuilt less then 30k miles ago and since has held great oil psi, around 45-50 at idle and 65 driving. Has been this way ever since rebuild.

After I went to give it a crank after sitting for two weeks, the car started but i had violent shaking and the oil psi surged up to 20psi, then slowly was dropping down to 0 all while this violent shaking of the engine was going on. When the oil psi fell to 10, I killed it. Let it sit for 10 mins, tried again, same exact problem and killed engine as soon as psi was dropping. The oil has nearing 3k miles on it and due for a change, im going to see if some fresh oil would resolve the issue, but I fear it isn't.

I have ran this question by many of my friends, and they suggest the oil pump has gone bad. I find this VERY odd that sitting in a garage the oil pump has somehow gone bad. Wanted to bounce this question off of some of you guys, this board has provided me with many helpful responses.

Thanks in advance guys :wavey:

[Mogobs30th]

Re: Sudden dramatic loss of oil pressure?

Could be the pump, although the pump is nothing more than a gerator in the front cover. Could also be the slim chance that you turned a bearing or two.

[vanbibber]

Re: Sudden dramatic loss of oil pressure?

first thing that comes to mind would be bearings. you wouldnt be the first person to do it.