m20 oil pump

[billybobjoseph]

I have an 88 325is and the oil pump is making horrible noises. Does anyone sell a rebuild kit for these things or is there an aftermarket oil pump setup that anyone knows of?

[jlevie]

If the oil pump, rather than the intermediate shaft, is the cause of the noise the fix is a replacement pump. If the noise is actually from the intermediate shaft the odds are that the engine will have to come out and new bearings installed. That is a non-trivial task and will have to be done by a machine shop.

[MR 325]

I'm interested to know what kind of noise an oil pump can make.

No there is no aftermarket high flow or performance pumps.

[billybobjoseph]

Thanks for the help guys. After putting the car up on ramps, starting the motor and pressing my ear against the oil pan I've determined the noise isn't coming from there. It sounds like it's coming from in front of it. I used a piece of steel rod against the motor where the front crank bearing is ( other side against my jaw bone by my ear ) and I don't hear any unusual noise from there either. Gonna tear it down to the timing belt this weekend see if I can find the problem.

[bataangpinoy]

howling waterpump?

[billybobjoseph]

It better not be. I just did a timing belt with a new water pump 300 miles ago. I'm sure I torqued the pump down correctly and didn't over-tighten the belt.

[riceh8r]

if you didn't have the tensioning spring do all the tightening, and you don't have a 5 spoked intermediate shaft gear...i recommend redoing it a.s.a.p. i over tightened belt and the gear collapsed after 3000 miles or so...same result as a broken belt. wish you the best of luck.

[billybobjoseph]

Thanks riceh8r. That's a tough story. Did you wreck valves as a result? I am certain the tension is correct; I pulled the upper cover off and rechecked it the day after I put in the new belt and I used the origina plunger and spring. I'll know tomorrow for sure, gonna take off the hood and take it down to the timing belt again. Fortunately for me I don't have to drive it.

[riceh8r]

oh yes...multiple intake and exhaust, and all 6 intake rockers.

[richard.bratton]

I'm interested to know what kind of noise an oil pump can make.

No there is no aftermarket high flow or performance pumps.

Metric Mechanic sells a blue printed oil pump that also has modifications to the housing that increase flow. MM's pump works great for me!

[billybobjoseph]

Sorry to hear that rice. Thanks for the info Richard. So I spent 6 hours yesterday pulling the timing belt. Tested the bearings on the crank, cam, and intermediate shaft. Everything is fine. Turns out I re attached the plastic part of the timing belt cover incorrectly. You know the one that snaps over the upper cover where the wires for the crank pos sensor go. The plastic was rubbing on the intermediate shaft gear. WHEW! I've done plenty of timing belts over the years but this is my first bmw. I was really nervous I had screwed something important up.