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Is your diesel engine oil pump failing? Do you know what caused it?
We know how frustrating it can be when your components fail, especially if you're not sure what went wrong.
In this post, we're going through what can lead to oil pump failure and what you can do to help prevent it.
Signs of Oil Pump Failure
Your oil pump keeps your engine lubricated. If it's functioning poorly, parts of your engine could wear or seize, leading to further failure.
And these failures mean even more money spent on repairs.
If you have a failing oil pump, there are some things you might notice:
- Low oil pressure
- Higher operation temperatures
- Unusual Noise
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, don't ignore them! Even if your oil pump is working great, they might point to another problem in your engine that should be addressed.
Causes of Oil Pump Failure
A common cause of oil pump failure is poor installation techniques.
It's important to ensure that the engine and all the components you're installing are clean and free of debris. Otherwise, you might experience some issues with contamination.
Similarly, you should follow the manufacturer's install guidelines. This will help prevent damage to the oil pump and nearby parts as you complete the install.
Oil Pump Issues from Improper Install
In some cases, when an oil pump is installed improperly, you can have a bending break of the pump housing caused by the retaining bolts sideloading the housing.
In these situations, the gear shaft can work itself loose, and in turn break the crankshaft gear.
We've also seen cases where a buildup of lock tight causes a gap where the pump meets the block. This forms an obvious difference in thickness.
Similarly, poor installation techniques can lead to a lack of lubrication. Improper lubrication from sideloading can contribute to bushing failure.
If you see a near 45-degree break angle on the shaft, a twisting break, rather than a clean break, it's probably caused by the force of the engine causing the shaft to seize and twist. This can be caused by the pump not being properly shimmed, which leads to the gears not having appropriate backlash.
Problems You Can Experience from Contaminants
If proper cleaning procedures are not followed during install, contaminants can wreak havoc on your components. In many cases, these failures could be avoided if the debris had been cleaned away.
Examples of these issues include damage on the driven rotor from foreign material or channeling caused by contaminants on the inner housing surface.
Highway & Heavy Parts Can Help!
As we've covered, proper installation is vital to having your oil pump function correctly. A poorly installed pump can lead to further failure in your engine.
If you're installing your pump, be sure to refer to the manufacturer's guidelines and instructions to help ensure everything is going in as it should.
If you have any questions about oil pumps, give us a call! We have ASE Certified Technicians on staff who can help answer your questions and diagnose your diesel engine problems.
We don't want to just sell you parts: we want to make sure you're getting the best parts for the job at hand.
From diagnosis through delivery, we're Highway & Heavy Parts!
Related Articles:
DIESEL OIL COOLERS EXPLAINED: BENEFITS, COMMON PROBLEMS, AND DIFFERENT TYPES
7 POSSIBLE CAUSES OF LOW OIL PRESSURE IN YOUR HEAVY DIESEL ENGINE
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