The oil pump is a component of an internal combustion engine that pushes engine oil under pressure to the engine’s rotating bearings, sliding pistons, and camshaft. This helps to cool the engine and lubricate the bearings while also enabling the use of fluid bearings with bigger capacities.
Having learned these important functions of an oil pump, knowing when it is beginning to wear down is massively crucial because this implies the engine and its parts won’t be properly maintained.
Symptoms of a Bad Oil Pump
The dashboard warning light for low oil pressure is the most typical sign of a faulty oil pump. Other typical symptoms include noisy oil pump, unusual noises coming from the hydraulic lifters, noisy valve train, decreased oil pressure, hotter engine, and noisy hydraulic lifters.
Additionally, you might have noticed that your engine is now noisier than usual. By opening the hood while idling and listening for any metallic noises, you can detect this. As you may have noticed, there aren’t many different symptoms, yet they could all be highly reliable warning signs.
- Increased Temperature in the Engine
When the engine overheats, it can cause harm to the engine and its components. Lubricant oil lowers engine temperature in two ways.
First, it absorbs excess heat produced by the engine and dissipates it as it passes around the engine’s various components. Lubricant oil also reduces friction between engine components. Higher engine temperature leads from increased friction.
- Noise at the Oil Pump
When the pump, however, starts to malfunction, it attempts to circulate oil to the engine parts while making a whining and wiring noise. A properly working oil pump runs quietly even when the car is at a standstill, the moaning or whirring sound persists.
The oil pump’s gears are wearing out, which is the cause of the unpleasant noises, and you will need to replace the oil pump as a whole.
- Noise from the Valve-Train System
The engine can continue to run attributable to several vital elements of the valve-train system. Along with push rods, seals, and valve, the valve-train also includes hydraulic lifters. All of these parts require oil to pass through them in order to be lubricated.
These parts are susceptible to seizing and complete failure when they are improperly lubricated as a result of insufficient oil. The noise from the valve-train will increase as the oil levels drop further.
Low Oil Pressure/Oil Pressure Warning Light
Your oil pump is what maintains the pressure in your oil system, so it stands to reason that if it begins to malfunction, the oil pressure in your car will decrease.
An oil pressure warning light needs to be present if your engine lacks an oil pressure gauge. When this light illuminates, you must immediately stop driving. Low oil pressure can cause serious engine damage very rapidly, which could cost you thousands of dollars.
When you accelerate and when you take off, look at the dashboard. When the “check oil pressure” indicator illuminates while you are stopped and goes out when you start moving, your oil pump may be malfunctioning. Not that you shouldn’t use your vehicle when this occurs. Have your car towed to the mechanic shop instead.
Hydraulic Lifters Noise
Hydraulic lifters are additional vital parts of how your car’s engine operates in the valve-train. By using the rock and cam follower, they maintain the valve clearance.
Therefore, sufficient oil lubrication is required for the lifters to effectively carry out their task. The hydraulic lifters cannot get oil because of the oil pump’s low oil pressure.
After that, they will have trouble moving around and make a lot of noise. The lifespan of the hydraulic lifters is drastically shortened by excessive friction and subsequent wear and tear caused by a lack of lubrication.