VW Mk1 Mk2 Mk3 Cabriolet Oil Pump Replacement

Oil Pump replacement on a 1993 VW Cabriolet. I use a 2.0 oil pump and oil pan gasket from a 94-98 2.0 gas engine code ABA.
This procedure is the same for most VW's from 1976-1999.
Part numbers for the repair:
Oil Pump: 027115105B amzn.to/4aH4tjV
Oil Pan Gasket: 048103609B amzn.to/39QFJqk
Oil Filter Mann: W719/5 amzn.to/3fnGkkw
Magnetic drain plug amzn.to/2Cd4Y9M
Torque Specs:
Oil pan drain plug: 22ft/lbs or 30nm
20 Oil pan bolts: 11ft/lbs or 15nm
Oil pump bolts: 15ft/lbs or 20nm
Transmission bell housing cover plate (two 10mm bolts): 11ft/lbs or 15nm
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Disclaimer: The amazon (and merch) links are affiliate links. Qualifying purchases will result in Oli getting a very small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my channel!

[@ClydePlays]

Keep 'em comin' Oli. This is some of the best how-to mk1 VW content on KZbin. Thank you!

[@OlisGarage]

Much appreciated! More are in the works!

[@SadChadrick]

This guy is the real MVP. Holy crap what a great find, all of these videos are awesome. Thanks so much for all the time and effort. It really helps everyone.

[@mukhunyimkay5126]

This is awesome why can everyone be more detailed like you 😢😢

[@idrecesafraj1712]

Thanks for the very helpful and motivating videos, hopefully I’ll be able to get my 89 Cabriolet back on the road. 🙏

[@richardseidman8801]

Awesome, you covered my questions upfront! TY!

[@thisoldmotor]

Good tips on how to prime the oil pump!

[@walterbutscher8438]

Who is the new guy getting his hands dirty? Great video. Good to see more on the mk1. Have a great day

[@hagale1]

You have said that the torque for the oil pan fasteners should be 11 ft-lbs even though the manual says 15 ft-lbs. I will be using the new rubber gasket as well and was wondering if it is true that the torque should be reduced to 11 ft-lbs. This is for a 1985 VW Scirocco. Great video, by the way!

[@Mario_Marques]

Hey Oli, as usual my tips, there is an upgraded gasket with a metal splash guard that you can install in that engine, and also os i a good idea to prime the oil Pump, 2 options for that, One, remove the Timing belt and with power tool rotate the oil Pump gear, second, remove the head pressure switch and insert oil, you should not do it like you did, trust me on that.

[@OlisGarage]

I’m not concerned at all with how I primed it. The oil pressure light and gauge indicated pressure immediately when I started the car. Of course there are other methods which probably do a better job priming it. But, do you remove the timing belt and prime the pump every time you do an oil change? I highly doubt it. A simple prime of the pump and a new oil filter filled with oil definitely seem to be enough priming for these vehicles.

[@Mario_Marques]

@@OlisGarage hello, if your engine is not factory tight on tolerances it Will probably cause no harm to the engine, but I've seen things go bad in those engines during Pump+oil cooler replacement, the engine did not die but its not good, on your Next oil chance pay attention to the oil and Open the filter, you'll probably find some small shaves from the bearings if the system did get dry enough. Sadly the oil switch does not provide quick feedback, i know that from experience. And on factory manual mentions that you should prime the system, there's a reason for that, there are more ways than the One I mentioned, the One I mentioned it takes like 20secons on a dry engine(ex a complete rebuild on a long block that has oil squirters). You can prime by inject oil from an oil switch cavity, I also use that method. I advice anyone to play on the safe side, better be safe than sorrow.

[@DIY.11.11]

Great quality video. Thanks

[@baladar1353]

Actually Volkswagen engines have usually three-letter codes, like ABD, APQ, AEX, AHU and such. These codes are for identifying what kind of engine your car has. And different codes mean different engines. The differences between the engines are not minor differences, they share only one common property, they were made in one of the VW factories.

[@OlisGarage]

Well the older VW engines used 3 letter codes such as “2H” what this engine is. Sometimes the differences are absolutely minor as well. A 2H and JH engine were almost the exact same, except the JH had an oil cooler. Aside from that every part that I’m aware of is the same. Then you also have engines with the same code where they had differences. Such as the ABA. There is one year where the connecting rods of that engine are much stronger, and that is the year everyone wants for turbo swaps. I will update my description to reflect that the pump came from an ABA engine, but realistically the oil pump from the mk3 diesel (AHU) would also most likely work

[@staceybsnyder]

Hey @OlisGarage - Fantastic videos. I've been watching them all and they are so helpful. The oil pump listed in this video is no longer available on Amazon. Do you have a new recommendation and place so procure an oil pump for my 1992 Cabriolet? Thank you so much!!!

[@OlisGarage]

Copy and paste the part number and see what pops up. FCP euro and autohausAZ are some of my favorites. Cascade German is good too. Just don't get a no name brand (febi, vaico are both good). The link has also been updated, but probably is available cheaper from sellers outside of amazon.

[@stephenboyle3195]

Your videos are much appreciated !!

[@OlisGarage]

Thank you!

[@EaseLdk]

For some reason, that transmission plate looks like it extends way past just those two bolts on my 85. The swivel I have is just too bulky to get a good angle with the plate on. Any ideas?

[@OlisGarage]

Maybe try some impact swivel sockets? Those have a pretty compact swivel on them

[@romanstrobel384]

Love the videos!

[@woolsac]

Hey Oli. Big fan, great instructional videos. I'm going to do my oil pump "upgrade" in the next few months, but was curious if you had any increase in oil pressure from it resulting in high oil pressure alarms going off or needing to change your oil pressure sensor to a different pressure calibration. Thanks for the info!

[@OlisGarage]

It did increase the pressure a tad. I couldn’t tell you exactly how much though. But the 2.0 and 1.8 are very similar engines with the 2.0 just being a tad taller. So it’s not as if the upgraded oil pump came from something of completely different design. No high pressure warning sensor in this car. Only low pressure. I also have a video talking about the dynamic oil pressure warning system which outlines the different sensors relating to oil. I think it’s worth the watch!

[@json8172]

Blessed Oli and his videos. Gonna be dropping my pan soon. Darn drain plug is stripped. At-least it doesn't look like a hard job. My pump is fine, but OE. Should i swap it or let it be while im in there?

[@OlisGarage]

Uuummm. Good question. I’m going to say give it an upgrade. You’re supercharged car surely heats up the oil more than a normal engine, so a bit of a bigger pump can only help. Make sure to install a mk3 baffle plate as well while you’re at it, if it doesn’t already have that

[@json8172]

@@OlisGarage everyone thinks that but it really doesn't warm up the oil by. Doesnt make the same heat a turbo would. I was more worried about the life of the oil pump due to 160k miles.

[@JunkVWs]

Nice and detailed 👍 What was the reason for the the oil pump change?

[@OlisGarage]

Junk VWs thanks for the feedback. The car sat for a little while and when we went to start it there was no oil pressure (light blinked at idle and the gauge read 0). Only let it run for about a second.

[@fernandorangel281]

You said you upgraded to a 2.0 pump..is that found on a mk3?

[@OlisGarage]

Fernando Rangel correct. Just buy one for a mk3 with the 2.0 aba engine

[@solorider6229]

Thanks for sharing, perfectly explained! Keep it up!

[@OlisGarage]

Solo RideR thank you! Hope the repair goes well.

[@raymundoedmundo]

Justo lo que buscaba gracias por compartir los conocimientos

[@motofingo]

Bravo!

[@paulmofenyi6125]

Bud, i changed my oil pump today but the lifters are still making noise. What could be wrong?

[@Joemolina-l9t]

Quick Q? - How do you know if the oil pump is bad?

[@TheEntertainmentInc]

Thanks for the video! I just got an 86 3-speed auto cabriolet Wolfsburg edition and the engine just stopped working suddenly when idle and coming to a stop. I noticed the oil pressure gauge was low when in these situations. The car though would start right back up like nothing happened (with the oil pressure still low, except for when accelerating). Does this point towards a bad oil pump and/or sensor? Where should I start?

[@OlisGarage]

If a failed oil pump caused the engine to stop, it’s not starting again. Probably a vacuum leak. I’d give it a tune up and make sure that there are no vacuum leaks

[@profesinue9670]

Saludos desde la Ciudad de México :)

[@OlisGarage]

profe sinue thank you, welcome! Hope you keep the cars running well!

[@TheMrZanardi]

Great video, I followed it closely when doing my install. However, immediately following I have a no start condition. Is this possibly an issue of the distributor turning, thus it’s out of timing?

[@OlisGarage]

Nah it can’t. The distributor is on a gear which is connected to the intermediate shaft which is turned by your timing belt

[@TheMrZanardi]

@@OlisGarage Thanks for the quick reply. I’m a bit puzzled why my car won’t crank following an oil pump install. It was perfectly running before.

[@OlisGarage]

@@TheMrZanardi won’t crank or won’t start?

[@TheMrZanardi]

@@OlisGarage Strong crank, yet no start. Turns over fine.

[@OlisGarage]

@@TheMrZanardi start with the basics. Spark, air, and fuel. Pull a plug and see if it sparks

[@hugom1711]

Hey there all this applies for a VW rabbit 1983 MK1 correct ? Also the oil pump upgrade ? Thanks , awesome videos :)

[@OlisGarage]

That is correct!

[@TheEntertainmentInc]

@@OlisGaragesame for an 86 cabriolet?

[@OlisGarage]

@@TheEntertainmentInc yes

[@g4engineering173]

Did you need different bolts for the 2.0 pump? I've heard the old pump is 30mm and the newer pump is 36mm

[@OlisGarage]

I did not. I’m pretty sure the pumps looked very similar from the outside. But it’s also been two years since I did that repair. So I’m starting to forget details.

[@elitexcomputing8802]

Was it just the oil sending unit in the end that was causing the high pressure alarm?

[@OlisGarage]

It was a low pressure warning which was caused by the pump failing. Kind of weird that it failed after just being parked for 2 weeks. But, that's what happened. FYI, there is no high pressure alarm on these vehicles. I also recently made a video describing and trouble shooting the low oil pressure warning system :)

[@jonathanoconnor4420]

Hi I have a mk3 1.6 cab, the red oil light was flashing and beeping, at first it was intermittent, I checked the oil level - this was fine, then it was constant. I then changed the pressure switches.. the beeping stopped, however the red light still flashes even before I start the engine. Is this the pump. An I have damaged the engine? Thanks Jc

[@OlisGarage]

Jonathan O'Connor your best bet is to find a mechanical oil pressure gauge. Unscrew one of the switches and screw in the gauge. If you have pressure, then you’re fine. If not, then you probably damaged your engine. I’m not that familiar with the mk3 and what sensors it has

[@E_ina_G]

I bought a baffled oil pan for my mk1 87 cab and it doesn’t fit cause of the plastic around the sump can I remove this plastic to use this gasket w no issue ?

[@OlisGarage]

I think you should be fine doing that.

[@E_ina_G]

@@OlisGarage found out you need to remove the entire oil pump to clear the pickup tube on the 87 cabriolets

[@johnmervin4968]

Who do you use for parts, and what is the part number for the 2 liter pump?

[@OlisGarage]

Part number and links are in description. I don’t always use Amazon. It all depends on price and shipping time. Other good sites are rock auto and fcpeuro

[@robertolatorre8938]

Does a O'Reilly oil pump work because I ordered the 2.0l oil pump for a 1.8 because when you turn it on and you leave it on until os running in temperature the oil pressure from the head drops but the oil pressure from the block has pressure

[@OlisGarage]

There’s no reason it shouldn’t work. There is a chance the pump could be partially failing. Maybe you have a restriction somewhere in the head stopping the flow of oil. Or something completely different.

[@robertolatorre8938]

I already changed 2 cylinder heads and same exact problem

[@robertolatorre8938]

So I don't know what else to do

[@OlisGarage]

@@robertolatorre8938 it’s really hard to diagnose something like that over the internet. I have no idea what you’ve tried and all of that. Hopefully you didn’t use any rtv on the head gasket or valve cover gasket because that can come loose and plug oil passages. I’d look into testing a second gauge and seeing if you get similar results. Use 20w50 abs a good quality oil filter. I always start with the easy things first. Replacing the off brand oil pump to a quality febi is a lot easier than head removal. But again I have no idea what all you’ve already done and what caused the issue to manifest itself in the first place

[@robertolatorre8938]

I've had done 2 different cylinder heads i changed the piston bearings where they connect ,the crankshaft bearings, 2.0l oil pump used 20w50 and thats it I don't know what else to do with it

[@profesinue9670]

What oil do you recommend for a 1982 Rabbit?

[@OlisGarage]

You’re in Mexico if I remember correctly. Gas engine I assume? For the hotter weather I recommend 20W50 or 15W40. Cooler weather (as in winter where it’s regularly below freezing) I recommend 10W30

[@profesinue9670]

@@OlisGarage I was correct, I use 20W50 oil, the weather is hot here in Mexico. Saludos

[@goodough]

Add a ZDDP additive every oil change. Old cars have a oil standard that new oil really doesn’t satisfy I promise no matter what they say.

[@jezc1308]

Hi, do you have the Febi pump part number?

[@OlisGarage]

Febi specific, not immediately. But the VW part numbers are in the description and the Amazon link takes you to a febi pump