On a 98 Trooper is the oil pump acessable when the timing belt is replaced?

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This is no job for a novice. Take it to somebody that knows about these. NOT a simple job. You will need to replace water pump and tensioner also. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjhNOVl1Tcc

Sometimes you have to heat the head of the bolt with a torch the use an impact wrench to break it loose.

If you don't have access to the above, you can remove the starter motor and jam the flywheel with a screwdriver or something and use a long breaker bar on the crankshaft bolt. (Kind-of the hard way, but it can work)

If you are replacing the water pump, it is recommended that you also replace the timing belt and the belt tensioner pulley while you are in there. I also personally recommend replacing the camshaft, crankshaft, and oil pump shaft seals. This can keep you from having to go back in there because of an oil leak. If this is all done at the same time, there will be no need to go back in there for another 60,000 miles.

If you had replace the timing Belt correctly according to the timing marks you on the cam,oil pump and Cranhshaft you shouldn't have a problem If the car won't start you may have to remove the timing belt and line up the marks correctly. other wise you can easily get a timing tool at the parts store and if you have repair manual it show you how.

behind timing cover, i believe it run by the timing belt. do timing belt when replacing waterpump, kind of a big job.

It sound like you have a timing belt tensioner that is bad. Is the noise at the front of engine? If it is replace tensioner,timing belt and water pump. The pump is driven by the timing belt.

You can get a workshop manual from PDF town.

I had always ran synthetic oil because the guy I bought my 99 from said it will burn less oil that way. One time I had an oil change done and they used regular oil by mistake and the knock was gone and it doesnt use any more oil. mine has 85k on it.