Being an automobile owner, you must be aware of the oil related issues in many vehicles that can lead to engine failure and other serious concerns. One such issue is about how to change an oil pump on a Ford f150?
Ford F-150 oil pump replacement can be an extensive task requiring proper professional help. Oil pump works as the heart of the engine in any vehicle, as it pumps lubricants to all portions of the engine and adds pressure to them.
The significance of the oil pump can be demonstrated by the fact that it pumps around 6 gallons of oil per minute while keeping the pressure steady.
The oil pump is made up of two gears that are closely fit together and the oil flows through the pump between the gear gaps.
Keeping the oil pump Ford f150 running and in a good shape adds so many more years to the Ford engine. A problematic oil pump disrupts the oil circulation throughout the engine block which can result in excessive friction among the engine parts.
That is an indication that the oil pump of your vehicle, which reduces the friction on the engine using oil needs to be changed.
7 Steps to Change an Oil Pump on Ford F150:
If your engine faces issues regarding lubrication, changing the oil pump will fix the problem.
Tools and Material Needed
Before you move to the oil pump replacement process, make sure you have all of that stuff around you:
- Ratcheting Wrenches
- Rubber Gloves
- Pressure Sensor
- Oil Drain Pot
- A Scraper
- New Oil
- New Oil Pump
- Hand Tools Set
Step One: Make room around the engine
The foremost thing you want to do before getting into the Ford 4.2 oil pump replacement is to make some space in the area around the engine.
You can do this by removing some accessories around the motor like the fan shroud and valve covers. Doing this will make it easier for you to start the actual oil pump replacement process with more room available around the engine now.
Step Two: Remove the front case and unscrew the bolts
Once there is enough room for you to operate freely, it's time to take off the front cover to reveal the oil pump of the Ford f150.
What is challenging in this step is unscrewing the bolts which are right next to the pulleys. Choose the right tool for that and carefully place them somewhere safe.
Step Three: Drain the old oil
After you have removed the studs and the bolts of the motor, unscrew the oil drain plug to trench the old oil into a container.
Usually, the drain plug or the cap is located on the top of the engine block. Do not throw away the old oil anywhere, there are federal and state laws for disposing of the waste oil, discard the oil accordingly.
Step Four: Remove the oil pump Ford f150
Now it’s time to remove the oil pump of your beloved Ford f150, by using the right tools. There are around five-six bolts on the engine block that provide support to the oil pump.
First, you want to undo those bolts, after which, you can move on to getting rid of drive gears, valves, and O-rings.
Step Five: Fill the new oil pump with oil
Before starting the re-installation process of the oil pump, make sure that you fill the new pump with enough oil to carry on the lubrication functions.
Step Six: Put the new oil pump in place
Now it’s time for the placement of the new oil pump on your Ford f150 engine block.
For this, you want to get your hands on a torque wrench and start screwing the bolts back in place. The new pump will fit perfectly in place with the bolts you have undone earlier.
Final Step: Tighten the bolts and put the O-ring in place
Make sure that the bolts are all tightened in the right sequence, using the right tools for each set of bolts.
Beware of the O-ring placement during the re-installation, an out-of-place or dented O-ring can cause a lot of damage to the engine. Ensure that there are no oil leaks and you are good to go.
Symptoms of a Failing Oil Pump
Although it is not so common for the drivers to change the oil pump themselves, but knowing the major indications of a weak oil pump can be beneficial.
Since the oil pump is what keeps the engine of your vehicle running, you wouldn’t mind knowing the common symptoms of a failing oil pump. So, here they are:
Excessive noise
Major symptom of a failing oil pump is a noisy ride, if you hear a whirring sound coming from your vehicle, it means your oil pump is not performing its best.
The excessive noise is created by the hydraulic lifters and occasionally the pump itself when the oil supply is not enough.
The engine feels hotter than usual
We know that the oil pump produces lubrication among the engine apparatus by circulating oil and reducing friction.
An unhealthy or failing oil pump will not be able to circulate oil; hence friction will increase, creating more heat. As soon as you notice that, it automatically means that your oil pump is failing and needs to be changed.
Abnormal oil pressure
If you see a light on the dashboard of your vehicle indicating lesser oil pressure of the engine, it is a common symptom of a faulty oil pump. The lower the oil pressure of the engine is, the worse will be the oil pump performance.
Also, read our related article on How to Replace Oil Pan Gasket on Chevy 350.
FAQs
1. What is an Oil pump?
An oil pump is a crucial internal part of a vehicle that is designed to pump oil throughout the engine. It serves the function of circulating the engine oil using high pressure to the pistons, gears, and shafts.
An oil pump is also regarded as a key component for the lubrication and heat management of the engine.
2. How urgent is an oil pump replacement?
The replacement of a faulty oil pump should not be ignored as it can lead to severe consequences and causes permanent damages to the vehicle.
As soon as you notice strange noises coming out of your car, a high temperature of the engine, or the engine light showing low oil pressure, a replacement becomes necessary.
3. Where is the oil pump located?
The oil pump is located on the front of your vehicle engine, typically enclosed inside of the oil pan. The oil pan has the oil pump attached to it using tubes and takes oil from it.
The exact location of the oil pump is near the crankshaft, within 1.5 feet of the vehicle’s front.
4. How much does it cost to replace the oil pump on F150?
The typical price range for the Ford f150 oil pump replacement is between $1,000 to $1,500.
The costs for the new oil pump parts and the technical labor are not included in this and combined charge up to $1,400. However, these rates vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle.
5. How long do oil pumps last?
Oil pumps are normally pretty sturdy and last as much as 50,000 to 75,000 miles if taken care of and handled properly.
You can see the lifetime of your oil pump ending when you notice performance issues and apparent wear and tear.
6. What causes engine oil pump failure?
The most common cause of engine oil pump failure is the poor and irregular oil maintenance of your vehicle.
Another cause is the dirt and the grease from the old oil, which is supposed to be cleaned. Excessive friction due to faulty gears can also cause oil pump failure.
Conclusion
Knowing how to replace oil pump on ford f150 saves you from a lot of trouble caused by the faulty oil pumps.
The primary role of the oil pump is to keep a steady flow of oil throughout the engine of a vehicle, which in return keeps the engine running effectively.
The oil pump on your Ford f150 allows the oil to be distributed evenly to all the bearings, camshafts, and pistons of the engine using pressure. At optimum pressure, the oil pump keeps a firm flow of the oil and lubricates the engine.
Lubrication is also necessary for the safety and functioning of the internal components of the engine. This is why most of the Ford f150 oil pump problems can be solved by changing the oil pump.