A
lubrication system for an engine including a
sump for
lubricant, a main pump operable to pump
lubricant to first
lubrication positions within the engine, and an auxiliary
lubricant pump also operable to pump lubricant to second
lubrication positions within the engine and wherein the auxiliary pump is an electrically driven pump which is controlled by a
system controller the output of the auxiliary pump being controlled according to engine operating conditions, the main pump in use, pumping lubricant to the first lubrication positions within the engine along a main lubricant
feed line, and the auxiliary pump when operated pumping lubricant to the second lubrication positions within the engine along an auxiliary
feed line, and wherein the main and auxiliary feed lines, are connected via a communication passage which includes a closeable communication valve, the communication valve when closed preventing the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary
feed line to the first lubrication positions, and when open permitting the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions.