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How to Tell if a Snowmobile Oil Pump is Working? (Answered)

A snowmobile’s oil pump is an important piece of the machinery for it dictates if the engine is working correctly and getting enough fuel to be efficient. 

Whether you are a frequent rider or a beginner, it is good to know if the oil pump is working to keep the ride hassle-free and enjoyable.

How to tell if a snowmobile oil pump is working?

The oil pump is part of the internal combustion engine that essentially drives the engine and so the snowmobile. You can tell the oil pump is working by filling the gas tank with mixed gas, and after filling the oil tank, running the sled through the gas tank and check if it used up any of the oil.

The oil pump helps to lubricate the bearings, cools the engine while enabling the fluid bearings to be capable.

If it isn’t working properly the result will be a smoked motor due to the reservoir having air bubbles. It could also make a motor starve for oil and so run out of it uncharacteristically soon.

Air bubbles could hurt the engine, so it is always advised to check if the oil pump is working regularly.

How to test a snowmobile oil pump? How do I know if the snowmobile oil pump is working or not?

Since it is imperative to know if your oil pump is working properly, here are a few ways you can test the pump.

Check engine oil port pressure 

Once you know the oil pump is facing issues, you might need to mount the oil pressure gauge on the engine’s oil port. Check the readings for discrepancies, if it is normal then the problem lies elsewhere. 

If it is lower, clean and check the oil filter before testing again. If it still persists, it is time to contact a professional mechanic.

Ride it out

If you do not have a pressure gauge the other way you can check if your oil pump is working is to ride out the gas tank and see if it depleted anything.

Fill the oil tank and fill the fuel tank with a premix of either 50:1 or 40:1 and mark the level. If it does not go down as fast as it should, there is something wrong.

How does oil injection work on a snowmobile?

Oil injection needs to work to keep the snowmobile going forward, making it easier to metaphorically measure the oil and how efficient it is. They also minimize the chances of oil leakage.

The oil pump cylinders rotate to a speed proportional to the engine’s crankshaft, aligning the rotations to the discharge outlet. Basically, they control the cables stretching and moving parts with each stroke they make. The larger the strokes, the more oil is delivered.

A pump essentially provides and regulates the engine’s oil pressure whilst lubricating and controlling the temperature of the engine. This ensures that the engine and moving parts of the mobile are getting an adequate supply of oil regularly and whenever needed.

Can a snowmobile oil pump be repaired?

Snowmobile’s oil pump can be repaired depending on the damage is done to the machine. Sometimes to repair it you need to rebuild it or replace it as well.

Some people believe it is better to change and replace rather than to fix and repair it. Usually, it costs around 300 to 800 dollars, varying from model to model.

Usual tools needed to fix an oil are a screwdriver, oil pump with minimal miles on it, 2-stroke oil for reassembly, rubber mallets, and maybe high-count sandpaper.

It is suggested you be patient with the whole process if you are trying it out yourself but go for a professional if you are unsure.

What are the signs of a bad snowmobile oil pump?

Now that we know how important a snowmobile’s oil pump is and how they work, the next step is to know the signs of a bad snowmobile oil pump so you know when to intervene and make repairs.

  • Your snowmobile is losing power regularly and it’s happening even more and more as you go on. 
  • Another stopping sign is that you lose power when you stop the vehicle. Bad fuel pumps make the engine stutter so it becomes a go-stop-go again motion.
  • Since a bad fuel can keep oil from reaching the engine, it will crank but it will not start.
  • You will also see low oil pressure for a bad oil pump will cause inadequate oiling that in turn, causes the engine components to rub roughly on each other.
  • This will also make the engine temperature rise, so an increased engine temperature is a sign of a bad snowmobile oil pump as well.
  • You could also hear noises from the hydraulic lifter or the valve train system. You could also find noises at the oil pump itself.

Most of these signs can also signal something else going wrong, so despite where it is originating from, you should get it checked upon.

What happens when an oil pump fails?

If the above-mentioned problems are ignored, the oil pump can fail which will lead to even worse problems. To start with,

Lose power:

If the oil pump fails, your engine will continue to lose power intermittently which will lead to further engine malfunction and issues due to the low pressure.

Stop engine:

A failure of the oil pump can even make the engine stop and lose power, or crank but refuse to start.

Oil contamination:

Oil pump failure can also cause oil contamination, progressive wear and tear of the suction tubes to the point of making them malfunction.

If still ignored, it can ultimately make the snowmobile become defunct, so if you notice any of them, contact a professional as soon as possible.

It is important to know how the oil pump of your snowmobile works, especially if you own one and how to tell if it is indeed working. This knowledge will eventually come in handy if things start to go south and you know what to deal with.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why are Snowmobiles So Loud?

Why are Snowmobiles Called Sleds?

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Why Do Snowmobiles Smoke?