Before lubricating oil in the pan enters the oil pump, it passes through the

• A. Oil sump
• B. Oil cooler
• C. Pickup screen
• D. Pressure relief valve

Answer: (C)

Oil must be cleaned before entering the pump to protect it from damage. The pickup screen located in the oil pan filters out debris and large particles as oil is drawn up into the pump. This keeps dirt, sludge, and wear-prone chunks from reaching the pump gears and bearings. The oil cooler is usually placed in the circuit after the pump to remove heat, not in the intake path. The oil sump is simply the reservoir that holds the oil, and the pressure relief valve is part of the pump system to regulate pressure, not a filter in the intake path. So the screen on the pickup is the element the oil passes through before entering the pump.