Have you ever wondered what is responsible for the vehicles you see running on the roads with unrestrained capabilities? Let us debunk who plays the lead role!
All these are made possible by the automotive oil pump. Most of the time, auto oil pumps are overlooked, but they contribute to ensuring proper lubrication. Plus, most importantly, it prevents engine damage.
This all-inclusive guide is dedicated to addressing each and every aspect of engine oil pumps, be it their types, how they work, pros, and more.
Get to Know Automotive Oil Pump
Imagine a toy car without a battery. Similarly, an automobile is incomplete without an oil pump. It is the most vital component of the lubrication system in an internal combustion engine.
Significantly, it circulates engine oil under pressure to the bearings, pistons, and camshaft. This is to make sure the engine parts remain cool and friction-free. The engine oil may overheat, seize, or sustain irreparable damage if the oil pump isn’t working properly.
The oil pump is typically located within the engine compartment, either outside the oil pan or within the pan itself.
How It Works
To help you get a better understanding of its working, the automotive oil pump in your car is like the circulatory system. The engine oil pump takes oil out of the engine oil pan and pushes it around the engine oil track before putting it back in the oil pan to be pumped around once more.
Once the engine becomes operational, the auto oil pump circulates oil to form a protective layer between moving metal parts. However, for repetitions, the pump then rotates gears by the engine itself.
Types of Oil Pumps in a Vehicle
Oil pumps are available in different varieties, and the type depends on the design and its work in an automotive space. The most popular types are gear and rotor oil pumps.
Besides, its variations include the following:
- Rotor Oil Pump: Also known as gerotors or trochoidal pumps, the working of rotor pumps depends on an inner gear and an outer rotor, as these are responsible for generating the pumping action. You can find this installed inside the crankcase for easy circulation of engine oil.
- Twin Gear Oil Pump: This is the most preferred type of oil pump due to its high efficiency in operation. The twin gear oil pump is also known as an external pump. The engine components are supplied with oil by a pair of intermeshing gears. Later, the set turns in opposite directions, traps the oil, and ensures its smooth supply.
- Front Cover Oil Pump: It can be found internally or externally in the engine. Similar to rotor pumps, the front cover oil pumps, the inner drive gear, and outer rotor of the front cover oil pumps are responsible for the generation of high oil pressure.
- Vane Oil Pump: Vane pump designs are less common in automotive applications. It consists of paddle-like vanes that are placed on a cylinder rotor. The engine oil is trapped in the compartments and later transported through the system.
- Trochoid Oil Pump: This pump features both inner and outer gears within the pump casting. It operates in a certain way. It makes the outer gear grip spin in the same direction as the inner gear when it’s turning. This, in turn, put pressure on the oil.
- Crescent Oil Pump: Crescent oil pumps are fixed to the control end of the crankshaft. These are special types of pumps that use two overlapping gears, which are set apart by a crescent-shaped divider. The crescent element contributes to increasing pressure and improving the efficiency of oil displacement.
Engineering Comparison Between Gear and Rotor Pumps
Here is a comparative breakdown of gear and rotor oil pumps:
| Parameter | Gear Oil Pumps | Rotor Oil Pumps |
| Viscosity Handling | With high-viscosity oils, efficiency decreases | It ends up giving high performance with thick lubricants |
| General Maintenance Requirements | The service process is fairly simple | The assessment is quite complicated |
| Power Demand | Even speed range | Lower dependable losses |
| The Highest Pressure | Up to 60 PSI | Up to 80+ PSI |
| Cost for Manufacturing | Lower | Higher |
Pros of an Automotive Oil Pump
Now that you are done with exploring its variations, let’s explore the pros of an automotive oil pump:
- Maintenance of Oil Pressure: The engine oil ensures the consistent oil pressure within the engine. Thereby, facilitates the lubrication flows to every component, crevice, and channel. Without this steady pressure, parts such as bearings and pistons would experience wear and tear.
- Maintains Optimal Engine Temperature: When the oil is circulated continuously, the pump carries excess heat away from the engine’s internal components. This is how engine oil maintains a balanced engine temperature.
- Supports Fuel Efficiency: Variable displacement oil pumps supply oil to the engine at a consistent flow rate. It even ensures the pressure needed at the time. When the engine doesn’t have to work hard, the vehicle consumes less fuel for excellent performance and improves fuel efficiency.
- Lubrication and Cooling: The auto oil pump is held responsible for the lubrication of engine components, which reduces friction and heat generation. By reducing friction, the engine serves as a coolant.
- Reduces Maintenance Costs: With continuous lubrication and fewer internal strains on engine parts, a dependable auto oil pump helps extend the engine’s lifespan. Therefore, this results in fewer breakdowns, less frequent repairs, and long-term savings on maintenance.
What Effects Are Next-Gen Fuel Pumps Having on Vehicle Performance?
As high-pressure fuel injection systems and more advanced engine management systems become more common. Next-gen fuel pumps focus on reliability, performance, and efficiency.
Additionally, these pumps feature a greater supply capacity and improved control over discharge volume. As a result, it makes the performance more versatile so that it suits specific operating conditions of different engine types.
Plus, the V-shaped internal impeller of next-gen fuel pumps enables automobiles to produce less motor noise and maintain pump performance for longer hauls.
How Much Does an Engine Oil Pump Cost?
Various factors come into play when it comes to the cost of an engine oil pump. The factors include the type of pump you’ve chosen, who the manufacturer is, and most importantly, the vehicle model or equipment you own.
In addition to this, other factors that add up to the cost include the pump’s complexity, materials used while constructing it, and the technology it employs.
Final Words
To sum it up, automotive oil pumps make sure that the engine is well-lubricated. These can be driven by the camshaft or the crankshaft, where next-gen engines widely utilize crankshaft-driven pumps.
Overall, these can circulate oil to maintain temperatures, cleanliness, and lubricate the engine’s moving parts.