Replace an Oil Pump
A vehicle's oil pump pushes oil through the various passages of the engine to keep the engine lubricated. This helps reduce heat buildup on pistons, shafts, and bearings, as well as friction between engine parts. The guide below describes how to replace an oil pump so that your engine will not fail due to improper lubrication.
Steps
- Use a jack to lift the vehicle. Place jack stands underneath the car to hold it in place.
- Place a drain pan underneath the oil drain plug. The plug is typically located at the bottom of the engine. Unscrew the plug and let the oil drain out. Screw the plug back in once the oil has finished draining.
- Remove the oil pan gasket. Use a putty knife or gasket scraper to do this.
- Some cars do not have oil pan gaskets. If yours does not, you can disregard this step.
- Remove the oil pan. The oil pan is usually held in place by three or four bolts.
- Clean the engine block mounting surface. Use a scraper tool and a rag to remove excess build-up from the engine. This will help it to perform more efficiently.
- Remove the old oil pump. The oil pump is located close to the rear of the motor. It is usually held in place by one bolt.
- Install the new oil pump. Make sure to keep the alignment pin in its hole as you put the new pump in place. Place the bolt into the new pump. You can use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt appropriately. It is recommended to use {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}-pounds (47.4 to 54.2 newton-meters) of force. If you don't have a torque wrench, the pressure equivalent is basically one complete turn with a conventional wrench past what is considered "hand-tight."
- Install a new gasket on the oil pan. Use sealant to secure the gasket. Let the sealant dry for about a half an hour.
- Replace the oil pan. Securely fasten the pan by screwing in the bolts you removed earlier.
- Add new oil to the crankcase. Your owner's manual should tell you what kind and how much engine oil to use. Use the dipstick to verify the oil level is correct.
- You should also replace the oil filter when you replace the oil.
Warnings
- Check carefully for any oil leaks after replacing the oil pump. A leak has the potential to cause serious engine problems.
Things You'll Need
- Wrench (or torque wrench) and ratchet set
- New oil pump
- Car jack
- Car jack stands
- Oil drain pan
- Gasket scrapper or putty knife
- New oil pan gasket
- New engine oil
- Sealant
