The oil pump lubricates the running engine by supplying oil to the engine. This lubrication prevents the metal parts of the engine from contacting each other. The oil pump also absorbs heat from engine components when the engine is running.
Even if the oil pump looks heavy, it may malfunction over time. It is important to recognize the signs of when the oil pump is beginning to wear because it means that the engine and its components will not be lubricated.
When the oil pump fails, what really happens is that if you don't replace it immediately, it may cause serious engine damage. Below, we will discuss more symptoms of oil pump failure and the estimated oil pump replacement cost.
Top 5 Bad Oil Pump Symptoms
When the oil pump fails, there are many symptoms to look for. Some common symptoms are noise from the valve mechanism, strange noise from hydraulic tappets, reduced oil pressure, hotter engine, and noisy oil pump.
Normally, oil pumps are not repaired until they actually start to fail. Once this is done, it will quickly damage your engine.
1. Low Oil Pressure/Oil Pressure Warning Light Comes on
The oil pressure is regulated by the oil pump. When the oil pump fails, the oil pressure in the engine will begin to drop. Usually, when the low oil pressure warning light comes on, the first sign of a drop in oil pressure appears on the dashboard.
Once this happens, check your oil level. If the oil level is too low, add more oil until the oil level is normal again. If your oil pressure is still low after this, it means that the engine oil pump is damaged. Replace the pump immediately before symptoms worsen.
2. Increased Temperature in Engine
When oil is pumped into the engine, it acts as a lubricant, cooling the moving metal parts of the engine. When the engine does not get enough oil, these metal parts will rub against each other and generate heat. Once enough heat is generated, the warning light on the dashboard will signal that your engine is hot.
Once the engine overheats, it will damage the engine and its components. Since it costs thousands of dollars to repair this damage, it is best to send your car to the repair shop as soon as the warning light comes on.
3. Valve-Train Noise
There are some key components in the valve system to keep the engine running. In addition to the hydraulic tappet in the valve train, it also contains push rods, seals, and valve guides. These components all rely on oil to flow through them, so they can be lubricated.
When they are not properly lubricated due to low oil, these parts may jam and stop working altogether. As the oil level continues to drop, the valve mechanism will also generate a lot of noise.
4. Oil Pump Noise
A noisy oil pump is a rare symptom because the oil pump only makes noise when it starts to malfunction. When this happens, you may hear whirring or whining sounds, even when the car is idle.
This indicates that the internal gears of the oil pump have worn out, which means that you need to replace the entire pump.
5. Hydraulic Lifters Noise
Hydraulic lifters are essential to maintain the function of the valve train. These elevators can only work properly when they are lubricated with enough oil. A faulty oil pump will cause the oil pressure to drop to the point where the oil cannot flow into the engine's hydraulic tappets.
This will cause noise from hydraulic elevators because they are not properly lubricated. Therefore, they wear out quickly. In some cars, the type of oil you use has a direct effect on the noise of the elevator.
Replacement Cost of an Oil Pump
The two main costs of replacing an oil pump are the cost of parts, and then the labor cost of replacing the old pump. You can always install the parts yourself to save money, but mistakes can make the situation worse. A new oil pump will cost you 100 to 300 dollars, depending on the make and model of your car.
As for the labor cost, it is generally around US$200 or US$300, because it takes several hours for a mechanic to complete this type of work. Therefore, you can expect to pay a total price of US$300 to US$600 for the oil pump replacement.
Maintenance Tips
The oil pump is durable, so it can be used for many years. However, as all car parts are manufactured, they will eventually wear out with age. This is why you should always pay attention to the oil pressure and heat in the vehicle.
Never assume that overheating is caused by the radiator without checking the evidence. The noise from the engine is a clear warning signal that the oil pump is malfunctioning. This noise means that oil does not flow into the parts of the engine to lubricate them. If you notice these symptoms, be sure to replace the oil pump.
