Oil Pump Replacement Cost? A Complete Guide for Car Owners

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Oil pump replacement cost is quite expensive depending on whether you go to the mechanic or do it yourself. If you’re replacing the pump, you might have to make other repairs or maintenance, like changing the oil filter, replacing the gaskets and oil pan, and changing the oil.

What Is The Oil Pump Replacement Cost

For your engine to work properly, you need engine oil, and this is powered by the oil pump. In this guide, we will look at the signs of a damaged pump so you can look out for them and replace the pump before it’s too late.

What Is the Oil Pump Replacement Cost?

The oil pump replacement cost is between $400 and $1,400, depending on whether you’re making the repairs yourself or you’re visiting a mechanic. The cost depends on the make and model of your vehicle, the shop you visit, and if there are other faulty components in your car.

If you’re visiting a mechanic, the labor costs can be between $700 and $1000, depending on your location. The mechanic would get the parts that you need, and this alone can cost up to $400. Depending on your car model, it might take the mechanic up to eight hours to replace it. Sometimes, the mechanic would notice other faults in your car, which take longer to fix.

 

Ensure that you regularly maintain your vehicle so that the oil pump works for a long time. The mechanic can also do that for you. On the other hand, you can replace your bad oil pump by yourself. It would cost about $400 to get the parts like the pump, oil pan gasket, and engine oil. The average oil pump repair cost is $1000.

The difficulty level of replacing your oil pump is intermediate, which means that you would need some tools and mechanical knowledge to replace it yourself. If you have knowledge about car systems and repair, you can save money to replace the pump. You should refer to the owner’s manual to know more about the pump that fits your car.

Parts

The exact price of an aftermarket pump depends on the model of your car, but it would cost between $100 and $1000. For your average car, you can buy the pump for $300 to $400, but a luxury car or performance car would cost up to $1000.

Labor

The labor costs of replacing pumps are quite expensive because it is hard to access the pump. Mechanics charge between $50 and $150 per hour, and it can even take up to 10 hours to remove the bad oil pump and replace it. In some models, it would only take four to five hours to access the pump.

For luxury and performance vehicles, it would be even more expensive to replace your oil pump. It can cost as high as $3000.

What Are the Symptoms of a Faulty Oil Pump?

The symptoms of a faulty oil pump include low oil pressure, high oil pressure, increased engine temperature, a noisy valve train, and a noisy pump. You might also notice the engine warning light coming on, and if you ignore the signs, the car won’t start after a while.

Low Oil Pressure

If your bad oil pump has failed completely, it won’t be able to pump any oil, and this would lead to low pressure. The sensors won’t be able to pick up pressure readings too. Most cars have a low pressure light, and this would let you know that there is low pressure.

Odometer Alarm Of Low Oil Pressure

You can test if your oil level is low by topping off the oil. If the pump has failed, the light will come back on even if you just added oil. This would let you know to replace the pump rather than add more car oil.

High Oil Pressure

Another sign that you need a new oil pump is the high oil pressure. A malfunctioning pump can also cause high pressure, especially if the pressure relief valve malfunctions. It would no longer be able to regulate the pressure gauge, which can increase the pressure. This would also make the check engine light illuminate.

If you see the check engine light come on, you should stop driving. High oil pressure is also worse than low pressure because it can damage the path of oil. You would start leaking oil and eventually run out.

Overheating Engine

The engine oil regulates the engine temperature, especially since it is meant to lubricate the engine. It also reduces the wear and tear of the metal component in the engine. If you notice that your engine is overheating, you should check the level of the oil.

Overheated Engine With Steam Coming Out of It

With a faulty pump, the oil will be unable to regulate the car’s temperature. This would heat up the engine even if the coolant and water pump are functioning properly.

The Oil Pump Is Noisy

Although the oil pump makes a noise when you drive, it’s not a sound that you can hear. So if you’re hearing whining noises from your car when driving, even when it is idle, it is due to wear and tear on the pump. When the gears wear out, it makes a whining noise. You can replace the gears alone or the entire oil pump.

Valve Train Is Noisy

Another part of the engine that can show you a fault with your oil pump is the valve train. This is a component sitting on top of the engine’s camshaft, and it consists of seals, valve guides, and pushrods. It is needed to keep the engine running and requires lubrication.

A Closeup On Valve in Engine of Car

One of the main faulty oil pump symptoms is that the valve will be squeaking, grinding, or squealing. If you hear those sounds while driving, you should check the pump.

Check Engine Light Is On

If your check engine light or engine oil light turns on, there are different causes. But a failing oil pump is one of the possible causes. These could be signs of a bad pump, but you should inspect the car to ensure that that is the problem. A sure sign is if you see the check engine light, oil pressure warning light, and oil light come on at once.

Engine Check Alarm on Odometer

You Can’t Start Your Car

The worst case is if you can’t start your car due to a faulty oil pump. If you ignored other pump signs, it would eventually stop you from driving. Once the pump stops working, there will be no oil pressure, which means that the car won’t start. It’s best to get the pump replaced as soon as possible before it becomes worse.

What Are the Causes of Oil Pump Damage?

The causes of oil pump damage include wear and tear due to the age of the vehicle, poor maintenance, using the wrong oil, and low oil levels. Oil pumps are heavy-duty made, so you can use one for a long time. If it fails, replace it as soon as possible.

Wear Due To Age

Every part of your car engine has an expiry date, even the pump. It goes through a lot of strain, like high pressure and heat from the engine. After about 60,000 miles, you should expect your pump to fail. With proper maintenance and a new car, it can last for up to 100,000 miles.

Wrong Engine Oil

Using the wrong engine oil can also cause the oil pump to get damaged. Oils differ based on their viscosity, and you need to check the type of engine, manufacturer, and climate to determine the right type of engine. Using the wrong oil would damage the engine and pump. You can ask your manufacturer to know more.

Poor Maintenance

Lack of proper maintenance is also a reason why your pump can get damaged. If you neglect your oil pump, you can end up with old oil, which has debris and dirt, and this would damage your pump. You should change your oil every 3000 miles because oil cleans out the engine by taking the dirt from it.

Low Oil Levels

If you’re constantly keeping your oil levels low, it will cause oil pump failure. There won’t be enough oil to lubricate the pump, and that would shorten its lifespan. For your car to circulate the oil that it has, it needs a lot of pressure, so ensure you always have oil in your car.

Technician Checking The Level of Oil With Specific Devicex

How Long Will the Oil Pump Last?

The oil pump will last between 60,000 and 70,000 miles. Oil pumps are highly important to the car’s ability to function. They are designed for durability and long-lasting use. If you’re using a new car, the pump will last for up to 100,000 miles.

If you don’t maintain your pump properly, it can cause it to get damaged faster. In the best cases, your pump can last for up to 250,000 miles.

Is It Worth It to Replace the Oil Pump?

Yes, it is worth it to replace your oil pump. If you only repair the pump, it can get damaged again, costing more to repair later. You need to remove different components of your car to get to the pump, so it’s best to replace it at once.

It is worth the time and cost to replace your pump. You might be tempted to fix the gears alone, but it’s advisable to replace the entire pump once and for all.

How Long Will It Take to Change the Oil Pump?

How long it takes to change the oil pump depends on the make and model of the car and what you have to replace. When replacing the pump, you might have to replace the gaskets in front of the engine block and the oil pan gasket, which would last longer.

The job can take as short as four hours, but you should expect to spend up to eight hours on the repair job. This means you can spend your entire day changing the pump. Even with a skilled mechanic, repairs would still last this long.

You might also be wondering, where is the oil pump located? It might be hard to find it, so you should use your user manual.

Can You Still Drive With a Faulty Oil Pump?

Yes, you can still drive with a faulty oil pump, but you shouldn’t. Driving with a damaged pump would damage the camshaft and crankshaft of your car. Furthermore, driving with a faulty pump can damage the hydraulic lifters in your car.

Conclusion

The oil pump replacement cost is quite expensive, but you should pay it once and for all to replace it. Before you go, check out the summary of our article below:

  • The average cost of replacing a pump is between $400 and $1400, depending on the make and model of your car and the car repair shop you visit.
  • The signs of a faulty pump include low or high oil pressure, noise from the pump, noise from the valve train, and the lights on your dashboard.
  • The causes of pump damage include wear and tear, poor maintenance, low oil levels, and using the wrong engine oil.

If you notice any faults with your oil pump, you should replace it as soon as possible. Ensure you work with a trusted mechanic if you cannot do it yourself.

References

https://www.uti.edu/blog/industry-relationships/everything-about-motor-oil

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