Oil pump

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the pumps used in petroleum production, see pumpjack or submersible pump.

An oil pump is a pump designed to supply pressurised oil as part of a lubrication system.

[edit] Internal combustion engines

In an internal combustion engine, the oil pump is usually a gear pump driven by the camshaft or crankshaft. <ref>Bob Mehlhoff. How Oil Pumps Work. Chevy High Performance. Retrieved on 2006-11-13.</ref> Oil pressure varies quite a bit during operation, with lower temperature and higher RPM's increasing pressure. To ensure the oil pressure doesn't exceed the rated maximum, a spring-loaded pressure relief valve routes oil back to its source once pressure exceeds a preset limit. <ref>Larry Carley (2005). Oil Pumps & Engine Lubrication. AA1Car. Retrieved on 2006-11-13.</ref>