oil pump noise

we have a 94 s-15 with the 4.3. 60k miles i could hear a whirring noise under te engine and traced it to the bottom of the oil pan.i had just changed the oil and thought that it just had some trapped air from the remote lines draining back but it seems to continue to do this. i was hoping that it was just some trapped air in the oil pump that would work itself out. anyone have trouble with this or ideas? thanks

Oil pump is all enclosed, a couple gears running together, can't imagine that type of noise from that. I'd suspect the front pump on the automatic trans. Be sure it's full. Or maybe the power steering pump, but that would be more forward.

Could also be whirring from bearings just carrying accoustically...(sic?)

Check the shaft on your distributor. Any slop in the bearings will telescope the noise into the hollow of the oil pan.

Never heard of a oil pump making noise. Did you check the trans for this noise?? like the trans front pump