Searched for an answer but couldn't find it; how to clean an oil pump

[The Dude]

Guys,

I tried in vain to find a post on the best way to clean an oil pump but just couldn't narrow the results down to something manageable.

Doing a rebuild ("The Dude's rebuild" over on that forum) and I bought a nice 4-bar oil pump to replace the old 3-bar. It seems to turn freely with no binding and actually feels quite smooth. However, since I don't know what it came out of, wanted to clean it up before installing it.

Any advice/techniques on the best way? Fill it up with oil and turn it through? Fill it up with brake cleaner and ditto? Anyone done this before?

I've read not to take it apart so don't want to run down that trail. Yes I have Wayne's books and yes I've read them.

Thanks!

[ajwans]

Scott Kinder did a nice list for reconditioning a used oil pump:

Internal Oil Pump

andy

[euro911sc]

Here is another good thread on the subject. There are some pics of my pump fully disassembled. Its easy. I pulled mine apart, cleaned it, and put it back together in a very short amount of time.

oil pump - sonicate?

The key is marking the gears so you get them back together in the same positions as they were before. a Light scribe line was all I needed.

[masterdave]

I have never cleaned the one on my 911 but i have cleaned others. I have found that the key is to use some oil based product that is much thinner than oil its self, gas, either, etc. I find that this breaks up all the old oil or anything that may have built up in the pump. Compressed air is always great as well. I did not have to take apart the other ones i rebuilt, i just ran the stuff (I think it was break cleaner or WD-40) through them until they were spinning real nice. The irony of the oil pump is that it runs oil through it so it is self lubricating and naturally anti corroding, I always found that interesting.

Best
Dave

[The Dude]

Good puts guys. Thanks!