* Gear-type pump: It's most likely a gear-type pump, meaning it uses meshed gears to draw oil from the pan and force it under pressure to the engine. You won't see a centrifugal pump like you might in some other applications.
* Housing: The pump will be housed in a metal casing, usually made of cast aluminum or steel. This casing will be relatively compact and somewhat irregularly shaped to fit within the engine block.
* Gears: The gears themselves will be visible through openings or inspection ports in the housing (though often partially obscured by other components). They'll be sturdy, robust gears designed to handle the pressure and lubrication needs of the engine.
* Inlet and Outlet: It will have a clearly identifiable inlet (where oil is drawn from the pan) and an outlet (where pressurized oil is sent to the engine). These will often be ports or flanges.
* Drive Shaft: The pump will have a drive shaft connected to the engine crankshaft, usually via a shaft or sprocket, to be driven by the engine's rotation.
To know what *your* Malibu's oil pump specifically looks like, you'd need to:
1. Know the year and engine: A 1970s Malibu's engine and oil pump will be significantly different from a 2020s Malibu's. The engine code (often found on the engine block itself) is crucial.
2. Search online: Once you have the year and engine code, search for images of that specific engine's oil pump. Sites like eBay, RockAuto, or even a parts store website like AutoZone will likely have diagrams or images.
Without this specific information, a general description is all that's possible.
