What are the causes of oil pump failure?
2 Answers
Here are the reasons for oil pump failure: 1. Wear between the plunger and plunger sleeve: During operation, mechanical impurities in the fuel enter the injection pump chamber, causing abrasive wear. Combined with the corrosive effect of the fuel, this increases the clearance between the plunger and sleeve. 2. Wear of the delivery valve: Mechanical impurities in the fuel, under high-speed flow scouring, cause wear on the delivery valve, pressure relief band, or valve seat, leading to poor sealing and insufficient residual pressure in the high-pressure fuel line. Additional information on the causes of failure: 1. Failure of the delivery valve spring: Fatigue of the delivery valve spring reduces its elasticity, impairing the one-way shut-off function of the delivery valve and causing reverse fuel flow. 4. Insufficient pressure in the low-pressure fuel line: Reduced or absent pumping capability of the fuel supply pump, clogging of the diesel filter or fuel lines, or air entering the fuel system can decrease the fuel pressure in the low-pressure circuit of the injection pump. This prevents pressure generation, and during operation, fuel cannot quickly enter the injection pump chamber, resulting in no or insufficient fuel injection.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've learned the hard way about oil pump damage. The most common issues are using poor-quality oil or not changing it regularly. The accumulated impurities in cheap oil can cause the pump gears to jam and wear out. Another problem is insufficient oil levels – sometimes we don't check carefully enough, and when the oil level is low, the pump runs dry, overheats, and over time the gears can deform or crack. Older cars are especially prone to cracks due to mechanical fatigue. When the engine overheats, the oil thins out and the pump can't handle the pressure. I remember once on a long trip when I didn't check the oil, the pump seized and left me stranded. That's why regular maintenance is crucial – don't slack on oil change intervals to extend pump life and avoid major repairs.
