I'm still wondering where to start with this.

 

If you've got 150K on there you're probably hearing worn lifters, cam lobs, and rocker seats. On my 2003 with 40K mi or so you can hear the lifters so it's only going to get worse with time.

Honestly if you plan on keeping that engine you'll want to do a full inspection, probably a head rebuild at least. I err on the picky side, but I do suggest you read the RPI pages on the Rover V8's and longevity and they'll help you know what to look for. I'm either going to drop a new complete powerplant in when I reach that point and build it properly or at least new performance heads and changing all the bottom end bearings and oil pump. That hits most of the high-wear parts on these engines.

 

I think I'm going to go ahead and replace the oil pump.
I know the timing cover is part of this whole deal so my next question is how hard is it to replace these parts?

 

Check your manufacture date, if it's in the first 2-3 months of 03 then yes that's a good idea. Otherwise I'm not sure, I'd do a pressure check. Wonder if there's another pump alternative to the OEM one that's more reliable.

 

do you know how hard it is to replace?

 

Just to make sure, what year is this? I tried to look back through, but I think people are confused here. If you have a 98 and recently did a flush and it got worse, first thing I would do is drop the pan and check the oil pickup tube. Make sure everything is clean. Then find your oil pressure switch on the block kinda behind your filter. Hook it up to a gauge and check it cold at idle and at 2K RPMs. Let it warm up and do the same. I would check both of these before throwing another pump on. 2003 was the only year that I know of having problems with the oil pumps...

Whatever you do, stop driving it....

 

It's a 98. Parked in the driveway and I'm dropping the pan right now. I'll taka a look down there and let you know what I see.

 

If you are going to wrench on your own truck, get a Rave CD. THey are all over E-bay, or there are places you can download for free.

 

I'm wrenching and not seeing anything that I think would be my problem.

The nasty little black spots on the left side of the pan came out of the pickup tube, but that material wasn't packed in it just kind of dripped out when I tapped it.
There is a bunch of metallic flake material in the pan so I can't imagine that's good, and there was no pan gasket only silicone crap which I guess is okay, but I'm surprised that a dealership would do this. Land Rover North in Houston on 45 replaced the oil pump (supposedly) about 23 months ago, but I'm beginning to wonder if they put a new one in or a used one. I would think it would have a longer life than 23 months.

Here's the pickup tube with more stuff...
Is this enough to clog things up? Like I said it wasn't packed in and I was able to blow through the tube and there was no back pressure.

If anyone sees anything out of wack in these award winning photos please let me know.
Where exactly is the oil pump in this thing anyway? I'm thinking that's my next step.