Q: How can the oil pump and screen be accessed in Buick Century and Regal?
A: Through removing the Oil Pan, the oil pump and screen can be accessed. For Buick engines, you should put the driveshaft extension via the main bearing cap until it mates with the distributor drive gear. Thereafter, put the pump on top of the cap and secure it using bolts. In 231, 252 and 350 Buick engines, however, the oil pump is located in the timing chain cover and is connected to a pipe assembly and oil screen housing in the pan. To remove them, you must first take out the oil filter. The cover assembly now becomes removable allowing one to remove oil pump gears. For that case, it's important that gears should be cleaned as well as inspected for defects. Oil pump gear wear specifications are also available for 1981-87 engines. Gear tip wear can be measured by passing a narrow feeler gauge between gear teeth tips and wall of the oil pump housing. Checking for any wear or scoring on its surface then is necessary concerning lubrication of relief valve along with spring using clean engine oil so that they can be placed in cover again. When reinstalling gears petroleum jelly must fill up inside of an oil pump gear cavity. This time around when installing use new gasket and sealer on a cover assembly as well as use a final step to install an oil filler.