Engine
Engine Oil Pump
The oil pump pressurizes the oil that protects every bearing in the engine.
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Combustion flow
Interactive — tap a partTap a part to see how it fits in the system.
What it does
- Draws oil from the sump and pressurizes it
- Feeds the filter, galleries and bearings
- Driven by the crank or timing system
When it fails
- Oil pressure warning light
- Low oil pressure at hot idle
- Engine noise / knocking
- Metal in the oil
How to diagnose
- Check oil level and viscosity first
- Measure oil pressure with a gauge
- Inspect the pickup screen for blockage
- Check the pressure relief valve
Maintenance
- Change oil on schedule — sludge kills pumps
- Fix oil starvation causes immediately
Use the diagnosis order. When a part fails, confirm each hypothesis with measurements before replacing anything — codes and symptoms overlap.
Related part
Engine Oil System
The oil system lubricates, cleans and cools the engine under pressure.