There oil pump has the task of circulating the motor oil and is a fundamental component of vehicles with internal combustion engines. The car oil pump is operated directly by thecrankshaft, allowing the pump to draw the oil contained in the oil sump. Before being introduced into the circuit, the oil must pass through the oil filter which retains impurities. The oil filter is housed in the rear part of the oil pump so as to filter it when it is taken from the oil pan. If the engine oil pump does not work correctly, the oil may circulate in an unsuitable manner with the risk of overheating and damage.
Car oil pump: how it works and where it is located
There most common type of oil pumpin vehicles with internal combustion engines, is that a gears: the oil is caught and circulated by gears using the extrusion principle. The oil pump can be mounted in various positions, such as on the cylinder block or in crankshaft cover.
The choice of pump placement depends on the engine specifications and lubrication needs. The oil pump is designed to cover the entire life of the vehicle, but when the kilometers are high the pump can cause problems and require replacement. Even in the case of impacts or accidents, obviously, the oil pump can suffer damage that requires replacement with one replacement oil pump.
The oil pressure sensor, and the related indicator, is essential for determining the functionality of the oil pump: a non-compliant pressure is in fact the first indicator of an oil circulation problem which, in addition to an oil filter clogged oil, it could be due to a problem with the pump.
Types of car engine oil pumps
Different types of oil pumps can be installed on cars, depending on the application and construction needs. The most common types are the following:
- gear oil pump: this type of pump, which is the most widespread, uses a system of gears coupled together to lift the oil from the oil pan and move it in the circuit. They are designed to resist wear and to avoid oil leaks.
- Lobe oil pump: in this type of pump lobes/rotors are used instead of gears. Using the lobes to move the oil ensures greater pressure and flow. For this reason they are generally used in the highest performing engines and high-end models
Other types of oil pumps, although less common, are vane pumps and screw pumps, which respond to specific manufacturer preferences or engine characteristics.
- Vane oil pump: in this type of pump there are vanes which, moving inside a chamber, manage to draw and channel the oil. They are present in older car models and show a higher tolerance to lubricant impurities.
- Screw oil pump: This oil pump uses a rotating screw to push the oil through the lubrication circuit. They have the advantage of better managing high pressures, but are generally more expensive than other types
- Centrifugal oil pump: these oil pumps are the least widespread in the automotive sector and are mainly used in diesel applications. Through the centrifugal force generated by the rotation the oil is pushed into the lubrication system.
Damage to the oil pump
A oil pump damage of the car can have a serious impact on the performance of the car engine, accelerating wear and causing damage to the components. It is therefore essential to pay attention to symptoms of oil pump malfunction and intervene promptly, even in the event of a Defective oil pump.
There are some easily detectable signs that can indicate a malfunctioning oil pump:
- drop in engine oil pressure
- overheating of the engine and its components
- poor lubrication of components
Between more frequent problems that cause the oil pump to malfunction there is fouling of the crankcase which, as a direct consequence, leads to a clogging of the intake manifoldThis results in reduced efficiency of the pump, which no longer has adequate suction power.
Using a wrong oilor not compliant with the manufacturer’s specifications, can cause damage to the oil pump, as can the prolonged use of poor quality lubricants.
A pump failure it can also be attributed to mechanical damage, generally resulting from a shock or stress that could have damaged the housing and gears.
If one is detected low oil pressurethe problem could simply be one worn gasket which causes the lubricant to leak. It is therefore advisable to always check the tightness of the gaskets first before proceeding to replace the oil pump.
It is also important to check thespring wear and the state of oil filterthe clogging of which could be the cause of the problem.
Although the life of the oil pump should cover the life of the vehicle, in some driving conditions – off-road, dry and dusty areas, etc. – the pump may wear prematurely. Even excessive accumulation of dirt on the pressure reducer it could cause it to jam and damage the pump.
The use of the oil pump can also be problematic poor quality lubricating oil or failure to change the oil within the time or mileage interval prescribed by the car manufacturer.
Pump problems: watch out for the oil filter
The oil filter, with the passage of time and use, accumulates retained particles and impurities inside it. This reduces its filtering capacity, hindering the flow of oil. Even improper or low-quality oil, which is easily degraded, could release residues which accumulate in the filter, clogging it.
When the oil filter is severely clogged, obstructing the flow of lubricant, the pump is put under excessive effort and works hard to keep pumping oil into the lubrication system. This can damage the pump itself, wearing out seals, gears and in some cases leading to breakage. Another consequence of excessive effort of the oil pump due to a clogged oil filter is a increased load on the engine, which translates into increased fuel consumption as well as putting strain on the engine itself. If this is accompanied by poor lubrication of the components, the risk of engine overheating is high, with the possible resulting failures.
L’ engine oil filter replacement interval expected by the manufacturers is around 15-20,000 km for petrol engines and 30,000 km for diesel engines. Even if the journeys are short, the filter should still be replaced once a year.
Replacing the oil pump
L’oil pump efficiency is generally guaranteed up to 150,000 km. Challenging driving conditions, irregular oil changes, use of poor quality oil, failure to replace the oil filter, or collisions, can however increase the wear of the oil pump and require its replacement. There repair of the oil pump is almost always not recommended, because the problem could persist and require a further return to the workshop to proceed with the disassembly and reassembly operations again, which in the case of the oil pump are extremely laborious.
For remove the oil pump it is necessary to remove the well and unscrew the fixing bolts. The oil suction fitting must then be removed and, after having cleaned the sump and replaced the gasket, proceed with the assembly of the new oil pump, restoring the oil level.
