Common Symptoms of a Faulty Oil Pump

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The Oil Pump is the principal component of a vehicle’s lubrication system. Its primary function is to maintain adequate oil pressure, guaranteeing that all engine parts receive the essential lubrication required for smooth operation, and to circulate oil throughout the system to lubricate and cool various moving parts.

If the Oil Pump fails, the engine may experience a lack of lubrication, causing serious damage to other components. This article highlights the common symptoms of a faulty oil pump, to help you identify potential problems and their underlying causes.

What Causes Oil Pump Failures?

Physical Damage: Physical damage to the oil pump can occur due to impacts, vibrations, exposure to extreme conditions, improper installation, or corrosion. These causes can affect the performance and lifespan of the oil pump.

Contamination: Contaminants such as dirt and debris, which are not thoroughly filtered through the oil filter, will enter the pump, leading to pump blockage and failure.

Neglecting Regular Maintenance: Failing to perform regular maintenance, such as Engine Oil and Filter Changes, can cause the oil filter, oil supply pick-up tube screen, or pump to clog, forming a restriction on oil flow.

Wear and Tear: Over time, regular usage can lead to the gradual wear and tear of the oil pump's components, diminishing its efficiency and ultimately resulting in failure. Components such as the pump's gears, bearings, or seals may wear out, compromising the pump's ability to maintain proper oil pressure and lubrication within the engine.

Common Symptoms of the Faulty Oil Pump

Warning Lights Illuminate

When the oil pump malfunctions, it cannot pressurize your vehicle’s oil system, leading to oil pressure drop. The first sign of decreased oil pressure is an illuminated Oil Pressure Too Low Warning Light on the dashboard. You should stop driving immediately if this light illuminates because low oil pressure can quickly cause catastrophic engine damage.

Additionally, a bad oil pump will affect the pressure of oil entering the engine. In one example, a Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL), or service engine soon message may display on the instrument cluster. An OBD2 scan tool can retrieve the OBD2 Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) and Freeze Frame information to determine the root cause of the issue.

Increased Engine Temperature

Lubrication: Engine Oil has a significant role in absorbing heat generated by the engine, dispersing it as it circulates through various engine components, and decreasing engine component friction. When the oil pump fails, it can no longer pump enough oil to sufficiently lubricate the moving parts, leading to higher engine temperatures. Such overheating can cause severe hazards to your engine.

Engine Noise

If the oil pump is not functioning properly, it does not provide enough oil to lubricate the engine, resulting in increased friction and wear on the moving parts. This will cause unusual noises such as ticking, knocking, or grinding sounds. Therefore, if you hear abnormal noises from the engine, it may be a symptom of a bad oil pump.

The Vehicle Can’t Start

Many newer model vehicles feature a low oil pressure switch directly connected to the vehicle's ignition system. If this switch detects an issue with the oil pump's operation, it can prevent the engine from starting altogether.

Identify A Faulty Oil Pump with the Innova Scan Tool

The Innova Scan Tool is a highly useful diagnostic device designed to quickly identify problems within a vehicle's systems. It can effectively aid in diagnosing and resolving issues related to the Oil Pump by retrieving and identifying Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) associated with it. With a quick Innova Scan, you can retrieve existing DTCs, the I/M Status of the vehicle, and any collected Freeze Frame data stored in the vehicle’s computers. The tool efficiently diagnoses Oil Pump-related problems in vehicles, helping you easily pinpoint and address issues.

In addition, you can also read the Engine oil pressure value (Live Data) with the Innova Scan Tool to determine if the Engine oil pressure value is low or not. The normal operating value depends on your vehicle.

Please visit us at innova.com/support or pro.repairsolutions.com/Support for additional information.

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