El oil is one of the fluids most important of our car along with the refrigerant. It is essential to review its status and levels periodically to replace it when necessary. However, the car's lubricant is just as important as the one in charge of taking it to where it is needed. That is the function of the oil pump of an engine.
If it fails to do its job properly, due to breakage or lack of oil, the engine can suffer very serious breakdowns such as what is commonly called flu. Pieces as important as the pistons, camshaft or crankshaft they have to be permanently lubricated, so as not to end up deteriorating causing expensive and complicated breakdowns to fix.
Oil pump operation
When the engine is off, the oil falls to the sump by the action of gravity, so the parts do not have the necessary lubrication. As soon as the engine is started, the oil pump starts to work sucking the oil from the crankcase and taking it to the top of the engine. From there it is distributed through all the holes necessary to keep each of its parts greased.
By operating the oil pump constant flow and pressure is maintained throughout the lubrication circuit. In case of having a pressure above what is due, it has a discharge valve which is responsible for relieving pressure.
The oil pump is normally driven by the Timing belt and not for the auxiliary strap, which takes care of other systems such as the steering pump, air conditioning, etc. In addition, it is usually located inside the crankcase, submerged in the oil itself.
Oil pump failure
If there is a fault in the oil pump, the most normal thing is that the dreaded engine fault warning light in car instrumentation. As it is a key piece, it is equipped with the necessary sensors and detectors to see if it is working or not. Otherwise we would use the car without knowing that we are seriously damaging it for not having lubrication.
As you will be able to see in the breakdowns that we are going to mention, the failure of the oil pump It is usually due to the malfunction or breakage of other components. of the car. It is usually a very reliable element that if it fails on its own, it is usually in very old vehicles.
Lack of oil pressure
The engine receives oil at less pressure than necessary, so it will be poorly lubricated during operation. This is usually due to faults such as oil leak somewhere in the circuit or for the slack that occurs in some engine parts. The first of the cases will end up being noticed by the drop in the oil level in an accelerated way.
Excess pressure in the oil
The engine receives oil at more pressure than necessary, so it will have excess lubrication. This is usually due to excess oil in the crankcase or by the relief valve malfunction. Depending on the engine this can cause excess oil in the combustion chambers, with the consequent excess oil burning and emission problems with the characteristic bluish smoke.
Oil changes are also very important. as the manufacturer brand. If we do not do it this way, the oil pump can be damaged little by little, which can cause long-term problems with serious consequences.
circuit clogging
With the daily use of the engine, particles are generated that can clog the circuit or the oil pump itself. This can be caused by a malfunction of the filter de aceite or by the deterioration of any mechanical part from which a piece has become detached.
If the oil pump needs to be changed, the price may range between 200 and 800 euros, depending on the make, model and type of engine. As we have told you, it is usually located inside the crankcase, but it can be placed in other less accessible places, which require more hours of work in the workshop.
oil pump care
As with almost all parts of an engine, its good condition largely depends on the rest of the components being in good condition. In this case, for an oil pump to work well throughout the life of the car, it is important to change the oil and its filter at the time recommended by the manufacturer. If this is not done, the particles generated with the use of the oil will end up damaging or clogging the pump.
Of course, keep oil at proper levels It is also very important, not because the pump will break if it does not have enough oil, but because it will not be able to do its job effectively. In addition, this lack of lubricant will become more noticeable in curves with a lot of inertia, because the oil will stick to one side of the crankcase and the pump will stop receiving oil for a few seconds.
What should be the level of pressure that an aveo active 1.6 car should have, in idle and later accelerated, please if you can help me with that, thanks
Good day, the vehicle had Shell oil to change at 5000 km, now I am using a synthetic oil to change at 10000 km, this can cause damage to the vehicle in the short or long term.
Very good information provided on this site, very detailed, understandable and very useful