Hello gents,

Looking for an answer concerning a 1999 B2500 ext cab pickup with 150K miles. When first started, the oil pressure guage indicator needle stays at the bottom of the range and does not move at all. The engine is kind of noisy and sounds like oil is not getting to the valve train to pump up the hydraulic lifters. After a few minutes, the oil pressure guage needle immediately pops up to midrange on the range and stays there all the time while driving. This only happens during the first startup of the day. I am hoping that there is a reasonable explanation and easy fix for this without having to change the oil pump. The oil is adequate on the dipstick. Also, the engine runs fine. It seems like the oil pump is loosing its prime and taking awhile to suck up and distribute the oil to the rest of the engine. Is this a common problem for a @2500 engine in this mileage range? My first inclination is to change the oil and put on a quality oil filter then see what happens. Any other suggestions to try? I do not think it is a guage indication or sending unit error because of the engine clatter upon startup. I would hate to go to the trouble and expense of changing the oil pump if there is an easy fix without doing so. Please fwd any advise to Jetmon135@yahoo.com Thanks much in advance!

Alex