How do you know if the oil pump is working well?

The oil pump is a fundamental part of the engine of any machine. Like any important element of machinery, it is essential that it works properly so that the cycle continues correctly and that it can work normally.

However, sometimes it is difficult to be sure whether the oil pump is doing its job as it should or not. Therefore, in today's article we are going to explain how to know if the oil pump is working well and what parts make it up.

What is an oil pump?

To begin with, we must understand what an oil pump is and what functions or function it performs. The oil pump is considered by many to be the heart of a machine's engine . This is so since it is responsible for uniformly distributing the lubricant throughout all the ducts. Furthermore, it is not only that it performs this function, but that it is capable of carrying it out with the appropriate pressure, thereby managing to regulate the temperature to avoid overheating.

The oil pump is normally located in the crankcase or timing cover , submerged in the oil. It is from there where it carries out its activity: injecting oil throughout the entire engine. The pressure manages to raise the oil to the highest areas, ensuring that from there it is distributed throughout the entire engine equally.

In addition to circulating the oil, you must also ensure that this circulation is done progressively, continuously and with a balanced pressure . We must understand the importance of this process since the metallic materials of the engine would rub or wear out if it were not for it.

Oil pump: parts

Once you understand what an oil pump is, it is time to move on to the next point: knowing the parts of this element. This way it will be easier to understand if it is working well or not and detect where this error may come from.

Case

It could be defined as the body of the oil pump. It is the place where the oil is placed that will later be sucked by the oil pump to distribute to the engine.

Rotor

Its main function revolves around the management of the pressure and temperature exerted in the distribution of the oil. It seals the combustion chamber, preventing the mixture between air and fuel from passing into the crankcase.

rotor blades

They control the air flow based on the pressure exerted at all times.

Return

The return of the oil pump has a role linked to the control ring, since it is the piece that controls the movement of this other one.

Oil inlet and outlet

There is not much to say about this piece, it is responsible for managing the entry and exit of the oil.

How to identify a fault in the oil pump

Now that we know what an oil pump is and what its parts are, it is time to reveal how to know if the oil pump is working well. Nothing is 100% certain, but there are a series of indications that announce a possible breakdown or failure in the oil pump:

  • High temperatures are one of the biggest signs through which we can detect a possible damaged oil pump or that at least it is not working as well as it should. When the oil circulated by the pump is distributed throughout the engine, it is not only responsible for avoiding friction and friction, but also regulates the engine temperature . If you notice that the engine temperature is above normal, let me tell you that it is more than likely that the oil pump is faulty. The cause of this comes from the fact that the lack of lubrication causes a rise in temperatures due to increased friction between parts.

  • Although it may seem somewhat obvious or simple, a very useful way to find faults in our oil pump is by listening to noises . Thanks to the oil distributed by the pump, the parts move smoothly without producing loud noises. When the oil pump fails and lubrication is poor, the opposite effect occurs. The movements of the engine parts become abrupt and due to friction , somewhat strange but very characteristic noises are produced . Therefore, if you hear knocking noises from the engine, it is likely that the oil pump is not in good condition.

  • Something that we should always do, even more so in case of doubt about possible failures of the oil pump, is to carry out inspections . For example, it is very important to check that the pump crankcase is working properly . To do this, it is vital to check that the oil level is adequate. If it is not, we will have evidence of why our oil pump may be failing. It is also interesting to check the proper functioning of the engine block , this way we can verify that the engine is indeed driving the oil pump. If not, there is a problem.

  • If we find particles of worn parts in the oil, it can be great evidence that the oil pump is deteriorated. For this reason, it is important to check the engine parts frequently to avoid their detriment and that this could cause the detriment of others, either due to the release of particles in the oil , as in the case of the oil pump, or other circumstances. .

  • This is the most logical option of all, but it is extremely useful. Check the oil pump itself , that everything is in order and that there is nothing strange. Make sure the shaft and oil distributor are perfectly in place to work. Check that the pump is correctly positioned and that its screws are good. Additionally, if there are traces of oil on the mounting surfaces, it is more than likely that there is something wrong with your pump's performance.

At Comercial Méndez we can help you with your oil pump and other parts for your engine, we have all the spare parts you may need! In addition, we are specialists in the sale of engines from leading brands on the market. Contact us .