I am a little confused about the oil pump

[AlphaAssault]

I have a little oil seeping from my oil pump. I actually took it to the shop so I could find the leak, since I couldnt seem to find it by crawling under my car. I asked the shop guys how much they would charge to "fix these oil leaks" (there was another at the oil pan), and they gave me an estimate of roughly $1000. Apparently, to replace the oil pump, you have to take apart the side of the engine, kinda like you are doing a timing belt change. However, here is what confuses me: I can see the oil pump by wedging under my car. Because the pump is leaking, would it be possible to replace the pump gasket without dismantling half the engine? I am just confused on the layout of the pump with respect to the engine.

Another question within the same vein, what is the cheapest way to stop a leak at the oil pump? My oil pressure is right where it should be, so I dont think the pump is dying, its just leaking a little.

 

[GVR4592]

It depends one where the leaks are. If they are behind the front case, everything has to come off. It's really not that difficult to do if you're mechanically inclined, it just takes time and a factory service manual really helps. I would only use OEM gaskets and don't use any RTV, if it comes loose it could possibly clog an oil passage and destroy your engine.

 

[AlphaAssault]

Well, Im fairly certain the leaks are outside the front case (assuming we are talking about the same thing when we say timing cover and front case). No one has really answered my question of if its possible to replace the pump gaskets without dropping the engine. I realize that a leak under the timing cover would require an engine drop. However, this leak *appears* to originate outside of the timing cover, and if this is the case, is it possible to replace the leaking gasket without dropping the engine? Has anyone replaced an oil pump gasket without dropping the engine and removing the timing cover?