2002 Volvo v70XC oil pump damage??
 

I am replacing the oil pump seals and once the oil pump is removed I see a sensor on the inside of the pump that is dented like the pump was dropped at some time and is now out of round. This is the first time I have removed the pump to solve an oil leak issue and the the car was previously only worked on by Volvo mechanics. So, if the car was running before is the dented sensor a non issue? Also, the inside of the oil pump looks yellow/brown like burnt oil. Is this normal or of concern? Don't want to replace the pump if it isn't necessary. Probably unrelated but whenever I start the car I get a tapping noise that the mechanic said was a lifter and not the end of the engine yet. Could there be some other internal component at the oil pump that has damaged/bent this sensor component and causing the tapping noise? The noise goes away shortly after starting the car. BTW, I do oil changes every 3000 mi which was recommended by the mechanic as precautionary and to hopefully keep the engine going a bit longer. Thanks for any help.