Where is the Oil Pump Installed?
2 Answers
The oil pump is installed near the engine oil pan. It is responsible for delivering engine oil, creating pressure to supply oil to all parts of the engine that require lubrication. Oil pumps can be categorized into gear-type and rotor-type structures. 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. The working principle of an oil pump is as follows: when the engine is running, the drive gear on the camshaft rotates the transmission gear of the oil pump, causing the driving gear fixed on the driving gear shaft to rotate. This rotation drives the driven gear to rotate in the opposite direction, transporting oil from the inlet chamber through the gear gaps and pump walls to the outlet chamber. This process creates low pressure in the inlet chamber, generating suction that draws oil from the oil pan into the oil chamber. As the driving and driven gears continue to rotate, oil is continuously pressurized and delivered to the required parts.
I've driven many cars and repaired my own engine, and found that the oil pump is usually installed on the inner side of the oil pan at the very bottom of the engine, positioned near the front or middle section, directly connected to the crankshaft. Since oil collects in the oil pan, the pump needs to draw it from there and pressurize it to lubricate various parts of the engine. The design in this location is because it can efficiently utilize the crankshaft's power to operate, with easy chain or gear connections, otherwise oil pressure would be insufficient. Precise installation is crucial—once my old car's oil pump shifted, causing the oil light to come on and the engine to rattle loudly, and I had to remove the oil pan to fix it. Everyone should pay attention to regularly checking the oil pressure sensor to prevent such issues.
