A while back I started to get lower oil pressure on my 2006 5.3. It used to run right around 40 psi at cruising speeds. It had dropped to 30-35 at speed and 15-20ish at idle. Then it statrted to get slow oil pressure build up at start ups. So much so that my low oil pressure warning would chime. I did increase oil weight to 20w/50, and it did help, but after a few thousand miles I could see it was slowly getting back to low. At the point of needing an oil change I was contemplating whether to have the oil pan dropped to do the pick up tube O-ring. After some flip flopping I decided to have the whole job done and replace the oil pump too.
So glad I did. Oil pressure is great and my intermittent lifter tap is also gone.

Before oil pressures




After new Melling HV pump and pick up tube

 

@3Js Nice change - what does a job like that cost to have done?

 

I will admit it isn't an inexpensive job but it is a labor intensive job. I work at a repair shop (up front) and we get a good discount on labor cost and a discount on parts. That said, I paid a tad below $1700 OTD parts/labor/tax/fees and it was done in a day. I turned 60 last October and some work I just don't want to do anymore.

I am at the point I needed to do the work. Just last year we did the transmission rebuild, rear main seal, starter (just because it was out), upper control arms and front shocks, rear caliper, hydroboost and master cylinder.
Year prior I did the waterpump, belt, tensioners, tires, brake pads.

 

Thanks - a whole lot less $$$ than a new motor or new ride!