What are the symptoms of a faulty car oil pump?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a faulty car oil pump are: 1. Weak acceleration, with jerking during sudden acceleration; 2. Difficulty starting, requiring prolonged key turning; 3. A humming noise while driving; 4. Illumination of the engine warning light; 5. Engine vibration. The function of the oil pump is to raise the oil to a certain pressure and then forcibly deliver it to the moving surfaces of the engine components. Oil pumps can be structurally classified into gear-type and rotor-type. Gear-type oil pumps are further divided into internal gear and external gear types, with the latter commonly referred to as gear-type oil pumps. When the engine is running, the oil pump operates continuously to ensure oil circulation within the lubrication circuit. Under various engine conditions, the oil pump must supply sufficient lubricating oil.
I once experienced an oil pump failure, and the most obvious symptom was the sudden illumination of the oil warning light. While driving, I noticed the engine sounded off, making a grinding noise like something was rubbing. After stopping, I touched the engine casing, and it was frighteningly hot—clearly due to insufficient lubrication causing overheating. The temperature gauge on the dashboard was also creeping into the red zone. The throttle felt sluggish, with weak acceleration; normally, reaching 70 mph was easy, but that day, even 50-60 mph was a struggle. I immediately took it to the repair shop, where the mechanic said the oil pump blades were worn, causing low pressure, and continuing to drive could risk cylinder scoring. After replacing the pump, the abnormal noise disappeared, and the power returned to normal. So, if the oil light comes on and the engine overheats, it's crucial to pay attention.
