3SFE oil pump play

[RS13]

Bought another 3SFE to drop into a Rav 4, when we took the old 170km motor out we noticed that there was very slight radial play in the (cambelt driven) oil pump gear, maybe a couple of thou.. the replacement engine (which looks in much better condition, no oil leaks but with unknown km) has similar play in the gear. Neither of them look like they've been leaking, both feel similar when spun by hand.

I can't help but think that it should be pretty solid and should be replaced, or is minute play in the gear normal wear and acceptable as long as it isn't leaking? I can't ever recall one being replaced or even checked during a cambelt replacement, surely it would take a lot more mileage than that to wear them out?

[Dell'Orto]

Can't remember offhand what the tolerance is meant to be, but unlikely they'd be worn out sub 200k without serious neglect.

[RS13]

Yeah thats' just the thing, the engine we're replacing did 5 years without an oil change, the only reason we got onto it was that the cambelt snapped. It was pretty gunked up inside, however this new engine is very clean under the covers with no apparent oil leaks, which makes me ask the question. Hmm. Might just price one up and change it if they're cheap enough.