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Operation of the Oil Pump in a Vehicle

Model: (Various brands) Various
Part: Pump

Video tutorial

In this video, you can see the operation of the oil pump, which is the heart of the engine's lubrication system. Here is its work cycle step by step: when the engine starts, the pump (which is driven by the crankshaft or the timing system) begins to rotate.

This creates a vacuum that draws oil from the sump through the pickup tube, which is a pipe with a mesh filter to prevent large debris from entering the pump. The oil passes through gears or rotors (depending on the type of pump): the gear pump is where two gears rotate, compressing the oil between the teeth and the walls of the pump, while the lobe or rotor pump is similar but with different profiles to increase efficiency.

The rotation increases the oil pressure (typically 2-5 bar in standard engines). The pressurised oil is pushed towards the oil filter, which traps metallic particles from engine wear, carbon deposits, and other contaminants.

If the filter is clogged, a bypass valve allows the oil to skip the filter. This filtered oil travels through the engine channels, reaching the main bearings; the cylinder head; the pistons and the turbo.

After completing this cycle, the oil returns to the sump by gravity, ready to be drawn and recycled.


Posted on 22 February 2026 by ScegliAuto


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