Oil Pump Cleaning and Inspection
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Montana, 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and 2003 Chevrolet Venture. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION:
Refer to CLEANING SOLVENT CAUTION
in Cautions and Notices.
- Clean all parts of sludge, oil, and varnish by soaking in cleaning solvent.
- Inspect for foreign material and determine the source of the foreign material.
- Inspect the pump housing and cover for the following conditions:
- Cracks or casting imperfections
- Scoring (3)
- Damaged threads
- Do not attempt to repair the pump housing. Replace the pump housing.
- Inspect the oil pump gears for the following conditions:
- Scoring (1)
- Excessive wear (2)
- Inspect the idler shaft for looseness or scoring (4). If loose or damaged, replace the oil pump.
- Inspect the drive gear shaft for looseness or scoring (5).
- Inspect the pressure regulator valve for the following conditions:
- Scoring
- Sticking
Burrs may be removed using a fine oil stone.
- Inspect the pressure regulator valve spring for the following conditions:
- Loss of tension
- Bending
- Inspect the suction pipe and screen assembly for the following conditions:
- Looseness
If the suction pipe is loose, bent or has been removed, replace the pump body cover and suction pipe.
- Broken wire mesh or screen
- Looseness
- Measure the oil pump gear lash. Install the gears, and measure in several places.
- Measure the oil pump housing gear pocket (1, 2).
- Measure the oil pump gears (1, 2).
Important: When deciding pump serviceability based on end clearance, consider depth of the wear pattern in the pump cover.
- Measure the oil pump gear side clearance.