Oil Pump

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the oil pump on a 2017 Maserati Levante with the 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine, requiring engine disassembly from below including oil pan and timing cover removal.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Oil pump assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pump gasket/O-ring kit × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Front crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover bolt seals (if applicable) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Selenia Racing 10W-60 — 5.5 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure the engine is completely cold and has not been run for at least 4 hours
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable and secure it away from the terminal
3. Remove the front engine undertray and splash shields for complete access
4. Raise the vehicle on a lift or properly support on jack stands rated for the vehicle weight
5. Remove the front wheels if additional access is required
6. Place oil drain pan under the engine oil drain plug
7. Install engine support fixture or secure engine hoist to prevent engine movement

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain engine oil and remove filter
   Remove the oil drain plug and allow all engine oil to drain completely into the drain pan. This may take 10-15 minutes for complete drainage. Once drained, remove the oil filter using the filter wrench. Inspect the drained oil for metal particles or unusual debris that might indicate internal engine damage.
   Torque spec

   Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove oil pan
   Remove all oil pan bolts in a crisscross pattern starting from the outer edges working inward. Carefully separate the oil pan from the engine block using a plastic pry tool at the designated pry points. Do not force or use metal tools that could damage the sealing surfaces. Clean any remaining gasket material from both the oil pan and engine block using a plastic scraper. Inspect the oil pan for cracks or damage.
   ⚠Do not damage the aluminum sealing surfaces. Even minor scratches can cause persistent oil leaks.
   Torque spec

   Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Access timing cover area
   Remove accessory drive belts by releasing the tensioners. Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt using the crankshaft holding tool to prevent engine rotation. Remove the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley. Disconnect any electrical connectors attached to the timing cover area including camshaft and crankshaft position sensors.
   Torque spec

   Electrical Connector Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)

   Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Secure timing chain
   Rotate the engine to Top Dead Center (TDC) on cylinder 1 by aligning timing marks. Install the timing chain holding tool to prevent chain movement and maintain timing relationship. This is critical to prevent valve-to-piston contact. Verify all timing marks are properly aligned before proceeding.
   ⚠️Failure to properly secure the timing chain can result in catastrophic engine damage when reassembling.
5. 5

   Remove timing cover
   Remove all timing cover bolts, noting the location of different length bolts. The 8mm bolts must be removed carefully as they secure critical sealing points. Carefully separate the timing cover from the engine block. There may be dowel pins aligning the cover that need to be preserved. Clean all mating surfaces thoroughly with brake cleaner and remove all old gasket material using plastic scrapers.
   ⚠Keep all bolts organized by location as they are different lengths and types.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts18 Nm (13 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove oil pump pickup tube
   Locate the oil pump pickup tube mounting bolts and remove them. Carefully extract the pickup tube from the oil pump housing. Inspect the pickup screen for debris or damage. Check the O-ring sealing surface on both the tube and pump housing for damage or scoring.
   Torque spec

   Oil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove oil pump assembly
   Remove all oil pump mounting bolts securing the pump to the engine block. The oil pump is driven by the crankshaft and will need to be carefully separated from the drive mechanism. Note the orientation of the pump before removal. Carefully pull the oil pump assembly away from the engine, ensuring the drive gear disengages properly from the crankshaft. Inspect the crankshaft drive mechanism for wear or damage.
   ℹ️Note the exact orientation and position of the oil pump for correct reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Oil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Inspect and prepare new oil pump
   Inspect all sealing surfaces on the engine block for damage, scoring, or debris. Verify the new oil pump matches the original exactly. Prime the new oil pump by filling it with clean engine oil and rotating the drive gear by hand several times to coat internal components. Install new O-rings or gaskets on the oil pump according to manufacturer specifications. Apply a thin film of clean engine oil to all sealing surfaces.
   ⚠Never install a dry oil pump. It must be primed with oil to prevent damage during initial startup.
9. 9

   Install new oil pump
   Align the oil pump drive gear with the crankshaft drive mechanism, ensuring proper engagement. Carefully slide the oil pump into position, verifying the alignment dowels (if present) seat properly. Install all oil pump mounting bolts finger-tight initially, then torque to specification in a crisscross pattern. Verify the pump rotates freely by turning the crankshaft by hand.
   Torque spec

   Oil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

   Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install oil pump pickup tube
    Install a new O-ring on the pickup tube if required. Insert the pickup tube into the oil pump housing, ensuring proper seating. Install and torque the pickup tube mounting bolts to specification. Verify the pickup screen is positioned correctly and not contacting the oil pan or other components.
    Torque spec

    Oil Pump Pickup Tube12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install timing cover
    Install a new timing cover gasket and ensure all alignment dowels are in place. Apply a small bead of RTV sealant to the corners where the timing cover meets the engine block if specified by the service manual. Position the timing cover carefully, ensuring it seats flush against the engine block. Install all timing cover bolts in their original locations, starting with the 8mm bolts, and torque in the specified sequence from the center outward.
    ⚠Follow the exact torque sequence to prevent cover warping and oil leaks.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts18 Nm (13 lb-ft)

    Gasket Surface Bolts22 Nm (16 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall crankshaft components and verify timing
    Install new front crankshaft seal if removed. Reinstall the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley, ensuring proper seating on the crankshaft. Remove the timing chain holding tool and manually rotate the engine two complete revolutions. Verify all timing marks realign correctly at TDC. Reconnect all sensors and electrical connectors.
    ⚠️If timing marks do not realign after two rotations, do not proceed. Disassemble and correct the timing.
    Torque spec

    Electrical Connector Bolts7 Nm (5 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install oil pan
    Install a new oil pan gasket according to manufacturer specifications. Some designs may require RTV sealant at specific locations. Position the oil pan carefully and install all bolts finger-tight. Torque oil pan bolts in a crisscross pattern from the center outward to the specified torque. Allow any RTV sealant to cure for the manufacturer-specified time before adding oil.
    Torque spec

    Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Gasket Bolts21 Nm (16 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Complete reassembly and fill fluids
    Reinstall the oil drain plug with a new crush washer and torque to specification. Install a new oil filter and pre-fill it with clean engine oil. Reinstall all remaining components including accessory belts, splash shields, and undertray. Fill the engine with the specified quantity of Selenia Racing 10W-60 oil. Do not start the engine yet.
    Torque spec

    Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Initial priming and startup
    Reconnect the negative battery cable. Before starting, disable the fuel and ignition systems (remove fuel pump fuse or disable ignition). Crank the engine for 10-15 seconds to prime the oil system and build oil pressure. Reinstall the fuel pump fuse. Start the engine and verify oil pressure builds immediately on the gauge. Listen for any unusual noises. Allow the engine to idle for 5 minutes while monitoring for leaks around the oil pan, timing cover, and oil filter.
    ⚠️If oil pressure does not register within 5 seconds of startup, immediately shut off the engine and investigate.
    ⚠Monitor closely for oil leaks during the first few minutes of operation.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall all components in reverse order of removal
2. Use all new gaskets and seals - do not reuse old gaskets
3. Follow all torque specifications exactly and in the proper sequence
4. Allow RTV sealant to cure for the specified time before filling with oil
5. Double-check that all electrical connectors are properly seated and secured

Verification

• Verify oil pressure registers immediately upon startup and maintains proper pressure at idle and higher RPM
• Check for oil leaks around the oil pan, timing cover, oil filter, and drain plug after 5 minutes of idle
• Test drive the vehicle and monitor oil pressure under various conditions
• Recheck oil level after test drive and top off if necessary
• Inspect underneath the vehicle after the first 50 miles of driving for any signs of oil seepage
• Monitor oil consumption over the next several hundred miles to ensure normal operation

More procedures for this vehicle