Cranks, Pistons, Oil & Components
When it comes to your engine's core components, there's no room for compromise. The crankshaft, pistons, and oil system work together as the foundation of your engine's operation, converting fuel into the power that moves your vehicle. At A-Premium, we understand that these components need to be built to last, which is why we've carefully selected only the highest quality cranks, pistons, and oil system parts for your car, truck, or SUV.
Whether you're rebuilding an engine, fixing an oil leak, or replacing worn components, we've got everything you need to keep your engine running smoothly. Our extensive selection covers all major vehicle makes and models, ensuring you'll find the exact parts that fit your specific application.
Complete Oil System Components
Your engine's oil system is like its circulatory system - it needs to flow properly to keep everything lubricated and running smoothly. When oil system components start failing, you'll notice warning signs like oil leaks, low oil pressure, or unusual engine noises that shouldn't be ignored.
| Component Category | Key Parts Available | Common Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Oil Filtration | Oil Filter, Engine Oil Filter, Oil Filter Housing | Clogged filters, housing leaks |
| Oil Storage & Flow | Oil Pan, Oil Pump, Oil Pump Pickup Tube | Pan gasket leaks, pump wear |
| Oil Cooling | Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Line | Cooler clogs, line leaks |
| Monitoring & Access | Engine Oil Dipstick, Oil Level Sensor, Oil Filler Cap | Sensor failures, worn dipsticks |
Engine Oil Filtration System
Clean oil is essential for engine longevity, and your filtration system plays a huge role in keeping contaminants out of your engine's moving parts. Oil Filter replacement is one of the most basic maintenance tasks, but it's also one of the most important for preventing engine damage.
Modern vehicles often use cartridge-style filters housed in plastic or metal Oil Filter Housing assemblies. When these housings crack or their seals fail, you'll see oil leaks that can quickly lead to low oil levels. The Oil Filter Housing Cover and Oil Filter Cover are common failure points that we see regularly.
Oil Filter Base components mount the filter securely to the engine block or housing. When these bases crack or their threads strip, oil filter replacement becomes impossible without proper repairs. We stock replacement bases for all major vehicle brands, ensuring you can maintain proper filtration even after component failure.
The filtration system also includes Oil Separator components that help remove moisture and contaminants from the crankcase ventilation system. These separators prevent oil vapors from entering the intake system while allowing proper crankcase pressure relief.
Crankshaft Components and Sensors
Your crankshaft is the backbone of your engine, converting the up-and-down motion of pistons into rotational power. The Crankshaft Position Sensor tells your engine's computer exactly where the crankshaft is positioned, enabling precise fuel injection and ignition timing.
When crankshaft position sensors fail, you'll experience symptoms like no-start conditions, rough idling, or engine stalling. These sensors are precision components that monitor crankshaft rotation through magnetic or optical means, providing critical timing information to the engine management system.
The Crankshaft Pulley and Harmonic Balancer Crankshaft Hub work together to drive your engine's accessories while dampening harmful vibrations. The harmonic balancer is especially critical - it prevents crankshaft damage from torsional vibrations that occur during normal engine operation.
Harmonic balancers consist of a metal hub, rubber dampening material, and an outer ring. Over time, the rubber deteriorates, causing the outer ring to separate or the balancer to wobble. You'll notice this as engine vibration, especially at idle, or unusual noises from the front of the engine.
Professional installation tools like our Crank Installer Tool ensure proper installation without damage to sensitive components. These specialized tools are designed to apply force evenly during installation, preventing costly mistakes that can occur with improvised installation methods.
Oil Pump and Circulation Components
The heart of your oil system is the Oil Pump, which creates the pressure needed to circulate oil throughout your engine. Oil pumps can be gear-driven, chain-driven, or even electric in some modern vehicles, but they all serve the same critical function of maintaining oil pressure.
When oil pumps start to wear, you'll typically see declining oil pressure on your gauge or warning lights on your dashboard. Low oil pressure can quickly lead to catastrophic engine damage, so addressing pump problems promptly is essential. Common causes of oil pump failure include worn gears, damaged rotors, or clogged pickup screens.
The Oil Pump Pickup Tube draws oil from the bottom of the oil pan and feeds it to the pump. This tube includes a screen or filter to prevent large debris from entering the pump. Over time, these screens can become clogged with sludge or debris, restricting oil flow and causing pressure problems.
Oil Pump Drive Gear Shaft components connect the oil pump to the engine's drive system. In many engines, the oil pump is driven by the timing chain or a dedicated shaft connected to the crankshaft. When these drive components wear or break, the oil pump stops working, leading to immediate engine damage.
Modern engines often include variable displacement oil pumps that adjust pressure based on engine demands. These systems help improve fuel economy while maintaining adequate lubrication, but they also include additional electronic controls and sensors that can fail over time.
Oil Pan and Sealing Components
Your Oil Pan serves as the oil reservoir for your engine, storing several quarts of oil that gets circulated by the oil pump. Oil pans take a beating from road debris, speed bumps, and general wear, making them prone to damage and leaks.
Engine Oil Pan Gasket replacement is one of the most common oil system repairs. These gaskets seal the oil pan to the engine block, preventing leaks that can leave you stranded with low oil levels. Modern gaskets often use advanced materials like silicone or multi-layer steel to provide better sealing and longevity.
When oil pan gaskets fail, you'll typically notice oil spots under your parked vehicle or see oil coating the underside of your engine. While small leaks might seem minor, they can quickly worsen, especially if the gasket material has deteriorated significantly.
Oil Baffle components inside the oil pan help prevent oil starvation during hard acceleration, braking, or cornering. These baffles keep oil near the pickup tube even when the oil sloshes around during aggressive driving. Performance vehicles and trucks often have more sophisticated baffle systems to ensure consistent oil supply.
Oil Drip Pan components aren't part of your engine, but they're essential tools for maintenance. Quality drip pans help you change oil cleanly and safely, protecting your garage floor and the environment from oil spills.
Belt Drive System Components
Your engine's accessory drive system includes several components that work with the crankshaft to power alternators, power steering pumps, air conditioning compressors, and other accessories. The Serpentine Belt drives all these components from a single belt path, making it critical for overall vehicle operation.
Belt Tensioner assemblies maintain proper belt tension automatically, compensating for belt stretch and wear. When tensioners fail, belts can slip, squeal, or even come off completely, leaving you without power steering, charging, or air conditioning.
Belt tensioner problems often show up as squealing noises, especially during startup or when accessories are loaded heavily. You might also notice belt wear patterns that indicate improper tension or alignment. Tensioners include internal springs or hydraulic systems that can weaken over time, requiring replacement.
The serpentine belt system has largely replaced older V-belt setups because it's more efficient and compact. However, this means that a single belt failure can disable multiple systems simultaneously, making proper maintenance even more critical.
Crankcase Ventilation System
Modern engines include sophisticated crankcase ventilation systems that manage pressure and vapors inside the engine. Crankcase Breather Valve components, also known as PCV valves, regulate pressure by allowing gases to escape while preventing outside air from entering.
Crankcase Breather Hose connects various components of the ventilation system, routing vapors from the crankcase to the intake system where they can be burned in the combustion process. These hoses must withstand oil vapors and temperature extremes while maintaining flexibility.
When crankcase ventilation systems fail, you might notice increased oil consumption, oil leaks from seals and gaskets, or rough idle conditions. Failed PCV systems can also cause pressure buildup that forces oil past seals and gaskets, creating multiple leak points throughout the engine.
Oil separator systems in many modern engines are more sophisticated than simple PCV valves. They actively separate oil from air before returning clean air to the intake system. These systems help reduce emissions while preventing oil deposits in the intake manifold and valves.
Engine Monitoring and Maintenance Components
Modern engines rely on various sensors to monitor oil levels, pressure, and system health. Oil Level Sensor components provide real-time oil level information to the engine management system, alerting you to low oil conditions before damage occurs.
Coolant Level Sensor components monitor coolant levels in the expansion tank or radiator. While not directly part of the oil system, coolant sensors help prevent overheating that can cause oil breakdown and engine damage.
Knock Sensor components detect engine knock or ping, which can indicate problems with fuel quality, timing, or engine mechanical issues. These sensors help the engine management system adjust timing to prevent damage while maintaining performance.
Engine monitoring systems work together to provide comprehensive protection for your engine. Oil pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and level sensors all contribute data that helps prevent catastrophic failures. When these sensors fail, you lose early warning capabilities that could save your engine.
Traditional maintenance components like the Engine Oil Dipstick and Engine Oil Dipstick Tube remain important for routine oil level checks. Even with electronic monitoring, manually checking oil levels helps verify sensor accuracy and catch problems early.
Flywheel and Power Transfer Components
The Flywheel connects your engine to the transmission, providing a mounting surface for the clutch (in manual transmissions) or torque converter (in automatics). Flywheels also store rotational energy, helping smooth out power pulses from individual cylinder firings.
Flywheel problems can cause vibrations, noise, or difficulty engaging the clutch in manual transmission vehicles. Automatic transmission vehicles might experience shuddering during acceleration or shifting problems when flywheel issues develop. Flywheels can crack, warp, or develop worn surfaces that affect power transfer.
Dual-mass flywheels used in many modern vehicles include internal dampening mechanisms that reduce vibration and noise. These sophisticated components can fail internally, requiring complete replacement rather than resurfacing like traditional solid flywheels.
Why Choose A-Premium for Engine Components
When you're working on your engine's core components, quality matters more than ever. We've built our reputation on providing parts that meet or exceed original equipment specifications, backed by warranties that give you confidence in your repairs.
Our extensive inventory means you can find parts for virtually any vehicle, from economy cars to heavy-duty trucks. We stock components for all major brands including Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, Honda, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and many others.
Expert technical support is available 24/7 to help you identify the right parts and troubleshoot installation issues. Our team includes experienced technicians who understand the complexities of modern engine systems and can guide you through even the most challenging repairs.
Fast, free shipping gets your parts to you quickly so you can minimize downtime. We understand that engine problems can't wait, especially when you depend on your vehicle for work or daily transportation.
Quality assurance is at the heart of everything we do. Every component we sell is tested to ensure it meets our strict standards for fit, finish, and performance. We back our parts with warranties up to 3 years because we stand behind the quality of what we sell.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I change my oil filter and what happens if I don't?
Most manufacturers recommend oil filter changes every 3,000-7,500 miles depending on driving conditions and oil type. Neglecting filter changes can cause clogs that restrict oil flow, leading to engine damage from inadequate lubrication.
What causes oil pan gasket leaks and can I drive with a small leak?
Oil pan gaskets fail due to age, heat cycles, and chemical breakdown. Small leaks can quickly worsen, and driving with low oil levels risks catastrophic engine damage. Address leaks promptly to avoid expensive repairs.
How do I know if my harmonic balancer is failing?
Common signs include engine vibration at idle, squealing noises from the front of the engine, or visible separation of the outer ring from the hub. A failing harmonic balancer can damage the crankshaft if not replaced promptly.
What's the difference between oil pressure problems and oil pump failure?
Low oil pressure can be caused by worn bearings, thin oil, or pump problems. Complete pump failure results in zero oil pressure and immediate engine damage. Always investigate pressure issues quickly to determine the root cause.
Can I replace just the oil pump or do I need other components too?
Oil pump replacement often requires removing the oil pan and sometimes timing components. It's wise to replace the pickup tube, pan gasket, and oil at the same time to ensure reliable operation and avoid repeat repairs.