a scroll compressor oil pumping system has a concentric axial bore located in the driveshaft of the compressor which serves as the primary oil pump . the driveshaft is journaled in a lower bearing housing and is located within the oil sump of the compressor . an inlet housing is attached to the lower bearing housing and creates a stepped flow path for the oil between the sump and the oil pump . the inlet housing may also be equipped with a plurality of air foil shaped vanes to impede the formation of a bottom vortex . the stepped flow path causes an annular vortex to form which operates to separate the contaminants from the lubricating oil . in order to assist in the formation of the annular vortex , the driveshaft can include an impeller . the contaminants are channelled into a holding chamber formed by the lower bearing housing and the inlet housing . a plurality of funnel shaped orifices guide the contaminants into the chamber and operate to resist blow out of the debris during liquid flashing conditions . a magnet can be included within the holding chamber to attract the metallic contaminants if desired .