Stupid oil pump design...... 5SFE

[bcp477]

Be forewarned everybody - this is a rant.

About three months ago, I replaced the oil pump on my 97 (5SFE).....due to a leak. The leak, as is common with these crappy oil pumps, was from the "cover" portion, sealed by that ridiculous O-ring. I have just realised that the NEW pump is also leaking....from the SAME location.....and worse than the old one !!! D&*m, D&*m and D&*m !!! What a god awful, bloody STUPID design !!! A retarded chimpanzee could have done better, IMO. Why the heck would anyone think it logical to design an oil pump that is, essentially external.....offering such great possibilities for leaks ? Further, whoever came up with the idea of using that sh*tty O-ring should be hanged, shot, then burned at the stake....along with his/ her spouse and children ! It would not be so bad if it weren't for the fact that it is so bloody time- consuming to replace the blasted pump......tear down the entire end of the engine....just to get at it. What does this design save ? I suppose that it could be argued that the removable cover allows for better access to the pump rotors.....except that there is no real NEED for this. The only time that such access is needed is to check the clearances (and thus wear) on the rotors. If the clearances are excessive, then it is time for a new pump anyway ! So, NO advantage to be offered by this design at all. And why oh why could the idiot who designed this not have used a flat gasket, rather than that bloody crappy O-ring. A flat gasket would be MUCH more reliable.

Oh, before anyone suggests, with perfect hindsight, that I somehow should have done a better job of the install.....or that I messed up the O-ring somehow.....or that I might try tightening the bolts a bit....etc. etc. I will state that I am no beginner mechanic.....and I was exceptionally careful with assembly and installation of the pump, including the O-ring. I also loctited all of the pump bolts and carefully torqued them to spec. So, the only real possibility is that either the O-ring was defective....or it failed due to a poor fit betwwen the metal surfaces encasing it.

I have prepared ANOTHER pump (but have yet to install it)......but this time, I've made a little "improvement". The "cover" has been permanenetly sealed - I epoxyed the crap out of it, with high-strength structural epoxy. Now, not only can it NOT develop a leak at the O-ring.....but no one will ever be able to get the two sections apart ! At least it cannot leak. So, as soon as I can get to it.....I'll waste the better part of another day tearing down the engine and replacing it - AGAIN. In the meantime, I'll have to continue adding slightly less than 1 PINT per day....because the leak is THAT large. Damnedest thing I've ever seen.

Just for extra fun, my auto trans, re-built only about 40,000 miles ago, is showing signs of packing up, as well. I'm sure that it is the lovely, mickey-mouse lockup torque converter....which is the Achilles heel of these Aisin transmissions. I will NOT pay for another trans overhaul.....and I'm not sure that it is worth it to pursue, at this point.

I CANNOT wait till I have my newly-acquired, 1990 AE92 Corolla, with uber- reliable 4AFE engine and 5-speed trans, back on the road. It has a REAL oil pump.....internal to the engine (NO leaks). I am going back to the car philosophy I held as a younger man..... NO auto transmissions.....NO A/C......NO power windows or locks.....NO power steering.....and truly GOOD fuel mileage. When the Corolla is ready, I just MIGHT have the Camry CRUSHED.....just for spite ! It has always been in the back of my mind to get an older, simpler car.....restore it and KEEP it. No time like the present, I guess.