Do you have a bad oil pump in your car that urgently needs a replacement? Are you wondering what oil pump costs to estimate what you will be charged at the auto parts shop?
Look no further because you are at the right place. We have analyzed the current oil pump cost this year from numerous shops and provided you with the average cost.
In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about oil pump cost, how to pick the best mechanic for your tie oil replacement, is oil pump replacement something you can do on your own? If so, how is it done? We also give you tips on saving on an oil pump replacement.
Let’s get started!
How Much Does an Oil Pump Cost?
Tie rod replacement costs between $300 and $2,500. This estimate includes labor and parts. A new oil pump costs between $100 and $500, and Labor costs are estimated at $200 to $2000. This doesn’t include any applicable taxes or fees and doesn’t account for your particular vehicle or location. Other Related repairs may also be necessary.
A bad oil pump can be very harmful to your car engine because the oil will no longer be injected into the engine, and there won’t be lubrication in the car engine, so if you have a bad oil pump be sure to replace it immediately.
Also Read: How To Replace an Oil Pump
What Is an Oil Pump?
An oil pump is an essential part of your car engine located just beside the engine block. Its operation is designed to receive oil from your car oil section and pump it to the engine direction so that the oil can get to all engine components and lubricate them.
The oil pump should deliver a certain amount of oil at a given interval so that the engine components won’t fall short of lubricating oil.
Regular change of oil will help keep your engine healthy and working; however, if the oil pump which pumps the oil to the engine is bad and does not function, what good is changing the oil.
Therefore the oil pump guarantees that your engine is well lubricated; if by any means the oil pump gets faulty, it creates a huge problem for the engine and the car in general.
How Does an Oil Pump Work?
We have been able to define what an oil pump is and give a brief reason why it is an essential component; now, let us talk about how it works because it is also very vital.
Below is a breakdown of how the oil pump works to ensure that all engine parts get appropriately lubricated.
- An engine oil pan is where the car stores engine oil
- Your car draws the oil from the engine oil pan and sends or pumps it into the engine faster than the engine would use it.
- Your car engine permits the oil coming from the oil pump to go through the oil passages, thereby creating pressure within the engine.
- From the oil passage, the oil will be delivered to various sections of the engine parts that need oil.
- The engine oil lubricates the engine parts so that they won’t be friction between the parts of the engine as it runs.
- The engine parts will keep receiving oil from the oil pump so that enough oil will be in the engine and surround all engine parts to ensure no friction.
The above process will keep repeating itself as long as the car runs.
Bad Oil Pump Symptoms
Below are bad oil pump symptoms you should pay attention to and do something as soon as you notice them.
1. The Oil Pressure Warning Light Comes On
The oil pressure regulates the oil that goes into your engine; when the oil pressure warning light comes on your dashboard, something is wrong with the oil pump, and the oil pressure has decreased.
Once you notice this sign on your dashboard, go and verify the oil level. Suppose it has dropped significantly; top up the oil until it has come up.
If the oil pressure did not come up, and the dashboard light still read low oil pressure, then something is wrong with the oil pump, and it needs to be changed or worked on as soon as possible.
2. Increased Engine Temperature
The sole purpose of oil in an engine is to lubricate the engine components, ensuring no friction. When there’s short or no oil at all, friction will be created on the engine’s moving parts, thereby generating heat.
Once this heat has been generated, your car’s dashboard will display a warning light signaling high engine temperature.
If nothing is done, overheating of the engine will occur, and it will damage lots of engine components; sometimes, it can kill the engine. Therefore once you notice this sign, get your mechanic immediately.
3. Hydraulic Lifters Noise
The hydraulic lifters maintain the function of your car valve-train. Hydraulic lifters are vital to this operation, and they function correctly only when they have adequate oil for lubrication.
When the oil pumps get bad, the oil will no longer be able to flow to hydraulic lifters due to a drop in oil pressure.
This shortage of oil and lack of lubrication will make the hydraulic lifters start making noise and making it wear out quickly. In some vehicles, oil type influences the kind of noise the lifter will make.
4. Valve-Train Noise
In the valve-train of a car, there are vital components that ensure that the engine never stops running. These components are seals, valve guides, and valve trains.
Also, these components always need to be lubricated at all times. When they don’t get enough oil or no oil at all, they will stop working altogether, causing the valve train to produce awkward noise.
5. Oil Pump Noise
The oil pump does not make noise except on rare occasions when it fails. Then, it will start making whining and whirring noises; this can happen even while the car is idle.
When you notice such noise, the oil pump gears have worn out, and the oil pump should be replaced as soon as possible.
For more signs of a bad oil pump check out our guide on Bad Oil Pump Symptoms
How Long Does an Oil Pump Last?
Depending on your car’s make, you may want to check with your owner’s manual or with the manufacturer’s website to determine how long your car’s oil pump will last.
A typical oil pump should last between five and six years If you drive about 12,000 miles per year.
This is subjected to factors such as car model and make and how often the vehicle goes for maintenance.
For example, old cars tend to develop fuel pump issues because of age, and if you do not go for regular car maintenance, your vehicle can quickly create an oil pump problem.
To keep your oil pump healthy, you must do a few things as a driver: regular oil changes, change of oil filter, and routine maintenance checks. You should also be able to pay attention to your car to detect the signs of a failing or failed oil pump quickly.
Oil Pump Replacement Cost
If you want to replace an oil pump, you will encounter two kinds of costs: the cost of parts and labor. Of course, you can choose to do the labor yourself to save cost, but you may make things worse if you do not have experience with such a job.
To get a new oil pump, you will be spending around $100-$500; this cost is based on your car model and make. The labor cost for this is also about $200-$2000, and you won’t spend more time in the mechanic for this, especially if there is no other work to be done on your car.
Therefore you will be spending a total of $300- $2500. Make sure while buying the oil pump that it meets the specification of your car and that it is not of substandard quality.
Other Factors That Affect Oil Pump Replacement?
The oil pump and its function are linked with some other components of your car engine; when it gets faulty, it can spread its damage to these linked engine components.
In addition, some of the components can also be very expensive, thereby adding to the cost of repair. Examples of such components are the piston, bearing, and other related parts.
Therefore, whenever you go for an oil pump change, please ensure that other parts are in good shape; if not, replace them at once.
Can I Perform an Oil Pump Replacement Myself?
You can only carry out an oil pump replacement if you have experience in machine tools and work. If not, do not carry out the replacement yourself; use the service of a good mechanic.
If you insist on doing it yourself, you can run into trouble due to the technicalities of the replacement; you can also cause more damage.
Oil Pump Maintenance Tips
Oil pumps are designed to last for a long time, but just like other car components, they fade or wear out as they age. This is why paying attention to your car’s signs is vital, especially if they are old cars.
Your radiator could cause overheating, but you should first be sure that this overheating results from an oil pump problem.
It could be a warning signal accompanied by a noise trying to tell you that something is seriously wrong with the oil pump. The noise is a result of friction due to poor lubrication. Always change the oil pump whenever these symptoms surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions – Oil Pump Cost
How Do You Know if You Have a Bad Oil Pump?
The warning light on your dashboard will notify you of low oil pressure. You can also notice that your car engine’s temperature has increased, sometimes overheating. In some cars, when the issue of a bad oil pump gets serious, they start giving out awkward noise.
Where Is the Oil Pump Located?
An oil pump is a vital part of your car engine; it is located beside the oil block inside the oil pan. The pan has a pickup tube, which pushes oil through the engine and circulates it around the engine components. In addition, some car manufacturers site oil pumps within the crankshaft.
What Happens When Your Oil Pump Stops Working?
When your oil pump stops working, your car engine won’t be able to receive oil anymore, thereby creating friction, wear and tear, and also heat. It will overheat the engine and destroy other engine components in severe cases.
How Often Does an Oil Pump Need Replacing?
The oil pump is designed to last for a long time. In most cars, it can go as high as 60k to 70k miles before developing any fault.
What Causes Oil Pump Failure in a Car?
As the oil pump ages, tear and wear will develop, causing it to become faulty over time. In addition, when you have a low level of oil in the oil house of your car, it can create a problem with your oil pump as well. Also, if you don’t regularly change oil and oil filters, you are likely to experience oil pump failure problems.
What Does an Oil Pump Do in a Car?
The oil pump is responsible for drawing oil from your car’s oil pan and pumping it into the engine components that need it so that they will be lubricated and free from friction, wear and tear.