The principle of operation of the internal combustion engine oil pump and the subtleties of the selection of the replacement unit

Effective lubrication of engine components and parts car can only be carried out under pressure. A special pump is used to create it. Its task is to continuously supply oil in a cyclic manner. The service life of the power plant, fuel consumption (meaning energy losses due to friction), and the amount of harmful emissions into the atmosphere depend on the correct operation of this device.

Pump operation and its varieties

The principle of operation of this unit in all its variants is the same: the lubricant is taken from the sump and injected into the lines under pressure. There are several options for ensuring the performance of the pump and its regulation. In accordance with them, three types of devices are used in machines.

Gear pumps

These are unregulated mechanisms driven by the engine crankshaft. That is, the pressure in the system depends on the number of revolutions of the power unit. To prevent its excess, pressure reducing valves are installed in it. This type of pump includes:

• ✅ driving and driven gears
  
• ✅ housing with conductive channels
  
• ✅ oil seals
  
• ✅ spring plunger that relieves pressure if necessary
  

Two types of gear pumps are used. These are devices with external and internal gear engagement. In the first case, they are close. This technical solution is distinguished by the simplicity of design, but the efficiency of such pumps is low, especially at low crankshaft speeds. In the second version of the device, the drive gear is placed inside the driven one. This design is more compact and has better performance.

Rotary pumps

They are a bit like gear devices with internal gearing. Only the compression of the technical fluid is carried out here by the stator and the rotor located inside it. There are two types of mechanisms:

• ✅ non-adjustable, with pressure reducing valve, driven by crankshaft
  
• ✅ automatically adjusted using a special spring (as the engine speed increases, the pressure decreases and vice versa)
  

Slide (lamellar) devices

Here, too, there is a rotor and a stator, but they are offset and form a gap in the form of a sickle. Also in the special grooves of the mechanism there are plates. Under the influence of centrifugal force, they move forward, forming small compartments where the technical fluid is compressed. The rotating rotor increases the capacity of the chambers and creates a vacuum through which the oil is sucked in. As the compartment shrinks, pressure increases and lubricant is pumped into the engine.

How to choose an oil pump

It is best to do this by the VIN code of the car: then you will definitely not be mistaken. The second option is to enter the exact data of the machine - make, model, year of production, the main parameters of the power plant. Here, too, the risk of buying is not minimal. Below are the brands of the most reliable manufacturers.

Swag

A German company that is one of the largest suppliers of components and parts for cars (more than 22 thousand commodity items) and is part of the Bilstein Group. In addition to oil pumps, Swag manufactures any kind of internal combustion engine components, steering parts, various types of lubricants and much more. The company has all the necessary certificates, and the products undergo triple quality control before being sent to the shelves. Spare parts are supplied to the conveyors of Ford, Mercedes, Audi, VW and other automakers.

Febi

The full name of the German company is Ferdinand Bilstein JR. The year of foundation is already 1818. The Febi brand has been mentioned since 1844. Over the 150 years of its existence, the company has become the largest supplier of spare parts to the global car market. Febi's arsenal includes over 9 thousand items of components and parts for any European mass-produced cars. The company's products are used on DAF and Mercedes-Benz conveyors.

Kolbenschmidt

The company (Germany) began its activities in 1910 and today is part of the MSI concern. In addition to oil pumps, Kolbenschmidt produces almost all components and elements related to the engine. These are crankshafts, pistons, valves, cylinder heads, injector nozzles, filters and much more. Among the customers, in addition to European and Asian automakers such as Opel, Ford, Daewoo, Nissan, DAF, Renault, Porsche, there are also Russian factories. These are KAMAZ, GAZ, AvtoVAZ, buying piston kits from Kolbenschmidt.

How to replace the oil pump (for example, VAZ-2113-15)

This device has a simple design and problems with it appear infrequently. The operating life of the pump is 120 thousand kilometers, but in practice this figure is higher. The unit does not require maintenance - it is only necessary to periodically fill in fresh oil after 8-10 thousand km. To replace the mechanism, you will need a viewing hole or a lift. Action algorithm:

• ✅ drain the old oil from the pan
  
• ✅ remove the timing belt cover and dismantle the crankshaft pulley
  
• ✅ unscrew the bolts securing the pallet
  
• ✅ using the socket on “12”, unscrew the hardware fixing the oil receiver
  
• ✅ dismantle the pump, "sitting" on 6 bolts
  

Work on installing a new part is carried out in the reverse order. After installing the pump, it is recommended to change the oil and filter. It is highly undesirable to use the old ones.

Symptoms of an oil pump failure

The failure of this mechanism and (or) the untimely replacement of a worn part is a direct path to an overhaul of the engine. There are three main signs of oil pump failure.

Reducing the pressure in the system

First of all, this will be signaled by an indicator that does not go out for a long time after starting the engine and flashing when it is idling. Passing signs include a drop in engine power, its frequent unreasonable stops, and a poor start. Also, if you see at least a very small puddle of oil under the car, urgent action must be taken. In most cases, the “culprit” is the crankshaft oil seals or a worn pan gasket. In the "best" case - loosely tightened bolts of its fastening.

The appearance of noise in the engine

This symptom is associated with a lack of oil in the pump due to pressure drop. Its parts are not lubricated and their friction is accompanied by extraneous sounds. They are especially pronounced when driving a car and rotating the crankshaft at high speeds. The main reason is the wear of the gears or the pump rotor.

Increase in engine temperature

Low pressure in the lubrication system increases friction. This causes a natural reaction of the power unit, which consists in the release of more heat. As a result, the temperature alarm indicator starts to light up, blink (or the arrow approaches the red zone).

How to extend the life of the oil pump

When changing the lubricant, add it to the level. If it is less than normal, engine parts and components will suffer from oil starvation. But excess lubrication will not lead to anything good - due to excess pressure, oil seals can be squeezed out, candles will start to splatter and piston rings will coke. And one more important point in service. When changing the oil (at least after a couple of times), remove the pan and clean the intake.