What are the symptoms of a faulty car oil pump?
2 Answers
Symptoms of a faulty car oil pump include: 1. Weak acceleration, with jerking when accelerating suddenly; 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 pressure to a certain level and then forcibly deliver it to the moving surfaces of engine components. Oil pumps come in two structural types: gear-type and rotor-type, with gear-type oil pumps further divided into internal gear and external gear types. During engine operation, the oil pump continuously works to ensure the oil circulates through the lubrication circuit. Under all engine conditions, the oil pump must supply sufficient lubricating oil.
I've experienced oil pump failure before, and the symptoms were quite obvious. The most direct sign was the sudden illumination of the red oil warning light on the dashboard, which wouldn't turn off no matter how much I revved the engine. The engine noise would also become louder, especially during acceleration, with a distinct metallic grinding sound—like bones scraping against each other. The temperature gauge would start climbing rapidly because the oil's lubrication and cooling functions were compromised. The worst part was the car losing power progressively; even flooring the throttle wouldn't increase speed, and in severe cases, it could stall abruptly. In my case, it had to be towed to the repair shop, where they found the engine was on the verge of total failure.
