How To Deal With A Failing Lexus Oil Pump

If you own a Lexus, chances are you've heard of the dreaded oil pump failure. This serious issue can cause catastrophic damage to your vehicle's engine. However, there are ways to prevent this and even ways to fix it if it does happen. This article will discuss the hows and whys of failing or failed oil pumps in Lexus vehicles and some preventative measures you can take to keep your car on the road for years to come.

How The Oil Pump Works           

The oil pump is a small but crucial part of your Lexus. It's responsible for moving the engine's lubricant, or oil, through the vehicle. With it, you will be able to get enough lubrication to all of your engine's moving parts. The oil pump may be separate from other systems on your car (such as the cooling system), but it still works with them to ensure everything runs smoothly.

The basic function of an oil pump is similar in most cars: when you start up your engine and press down on the accelerator pedal, it moves pistons inside cylinders that compress air and fuel together so they can ignite together and create power for your car. As these pistons move back and forth inside those cylinders thanks to combustion pressure generated by burning gasoline mixed with oxygen from outside air via exhaust pipes running out through mufflers attached near each wheel arch where they're covered over by black plastic grates called wheel covers which prevent damage caused by rocks hitting them while driving off the road.

Why And How Oil Pumps Fail

• Bad design. The oil pump is a vital component of your car's engine, so it needs to be designed and manufactured with care. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.
• Bad materials. Some materials are more prone than others to failure over time due to wear and tear or environmental factors. Like any other mechanical part throughout your vehicle's various systems, an oil pump can be made from parts that aren't particularly sturdy or made from low-quality materials—and this will make them more likely to fail in the long run.
• Poor maintenance is one of the most common reason why you might experience problems with your Lexus' oil pump later on down the road; if you're not regularly performing routine maintenance checks on it like changing its filter every few months (or at least once per year), then you'll miss out on detecting any potential problems early enough for them to be repaired before they become serious enough for major repairs costing thousands of dollars!

Oil Pump Failure Symptoms

• Loss of oil pressure is a telltale sign that your oil pump has failed. You may also see an oil leak, which will become more pronounced as the engine loses its ability to maintain pressure and keep the leak contained.
• Another symptom of a faulty oil pump is a loud noise coming from under the hood of your Lexus vehicle. This sound can range from a whining sound to something resembling an angry cat.
• If you notice that your dashboard warning light is on, take it as another sign that something isn't right with your car's engine. The most likely cause for this would be an issue with the oil pump itself or some other part connected to it (such as one of its lines).
• If any of these things happen when driving home from work or after getting off from running errands, it's time for action!

Can I Fix It Myself?

To replace the oil pump, you'll need to have a basic understanding of how cars work and are able to use some tools. A few hours is all it takes—but if you're not mechanically inclined, enlisting a mechanic might be your best bet.

The parts of an oil pump are fairly simple, so the price for these can vary wildly depending on where you shop. An aftermarket part may cost around $100; a genuine Lexus part will likely set you back $300-$400 at minimum. The labor cost is harder to estimate because every mechanic charges differently (and we don't know what yours charges!). Either way, get multiple quotes before deciding whether it's worth doing it yourself or paying someone else.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that it's easy to overlook oil pump problems since they are not often considered as serious as other issues. If you notice any signs of a failing oil pump, make sure that it gets checked immediately.