09-11-2020

IC Engines Lubrication

Course Code: UME501

Course Name: Applied Thermodynamics

Dr. Anu Mittal Department of Mechanical

Engineering , TIET Patiala

Contents
1. Purpose
2. Lubricant characteristics
3. Rating of lubricating oils
4. Classification of lubricating systems
5. Mist lubrication system
6. Wet sump lubrication system
7. Dry sump lubrication system

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Dr. Anu Mittal Department of Mechanical Engineering , TIET Patiala
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Purpose
To reduce frictional resistance of engine
and hence to increase the mechanical
efficiency of engine.
Minimize engine wear and tear
To help in engine cooling by taking away
excess heat
Carry away impurities
To prevent blow-by losses by forming
seal between engine cylinder and piston
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Properties of lubricating oil

Oil used for lubrication must serve as a lubricant, coolant
and an agent for removing impurities.
Must be able to withstand high temperature without
breakdown.
It must not oxidize on engine components (e.g. on
chamber walls, piston crown and piston rings).
Should have high film strength to prevent metal to metal
contact even under extreme loads

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Properties of lubricating oil

Viscosity: Lubricating oil should have optimum viscosity
so that it could easily flow to all the moving parts.
Too high viscosity will result into more pump work and
reduced power output.
Too low viscosity will result into thinning of oil film at
greater loads.
Pour film strength to prevent metal to metal contact
even under extreme loads
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Properties of lubricating oil

Pour Point: Indicates the temperature below
which lubricating oil loses its fluidity.
Pour point must be at least 15⁰F lesser than
operating temperature to ensure maximum
circulation.
Flash Point: Flash point is determined by heating
the oil until vapors form; a flame is then passed
across the oil.
The flash point is the temperature at which the oil
sparks, but a flame is not sustained.
The flash point for lubricating oils is typically 204°C
(400°F) or above.
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Properties of lubricating oil

Fire Point : Fire point is determined in a manner
similar to flash point. Oil is heated until vapors form;
a flame is then passed over the oil.
The fire point is the temperature at which the oil
sparks and the flame is sustained.
The fire point for lubricating oils is typically 371°C
(700°F) or above.

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Rating of lubricating oils

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed a
scale for engine lubricating oils.
Viscosity scale developed for mono-grade oils is as
following:
SAE 5,10,20,30,40,45,50
Oil with low viscosity grades is less viscous.
When certain additives are added to oil, temperature
dependence of viscosity is reduced. These oils are called
multi-grade oils.
For multi-grade oils viscosity is notated with the common
"XW-XX."
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Rating of lubricating oils

The number preceding the "W" rates the oil's flow at 0
degrees Fahrenheit (-17.8 degrees Celsius). The "W"
stands for winter
The second number after the "W" indicates the oil's
viscosity measured at 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100
degrees Celsius)
This number represents the oil's resistance to thinning at
high temperatures
Monograde oils such as SAE 30, 40 or 50 are no longer
used in latest automotive engines

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Classification of lubrication systems

Lubricating systems used for IC engines are:
Mist lubricating system
Wet sump lubricating system
Dry sump lubrication system

Wet sump lubricating system can be further classified as,

Splash type lubricating system
Pressure feed lubricating system

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Mist lubricating system

This system is used where crankcase lubrication is not
suitable.
In 2-stroke engine as the charge is compressed in the
crankcase, it is not possible to have the lubricating oil in the
sump.
In such engines the lubricating oil is mixed with the fuel, the
usual ratio being 3% to 6%
The oil and the fuel is induced through the carburetor and
the fuel is vaporized and the oil is in the form of mist goes
via the crankcase into the cylinder
The oil that impinges the crankcase walls lubricates the main
and connecting rod bearings and the rest of the oil
lubricates piston, piston rings and cylinder.
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Mist lubricating system

Advantage of this system
Simplicity
Low cost (does not required oil pump, filter)
Disadvantages
Causes heavy exhaust smoke
Get contaminated with acids and result in the
corrosion of bearings surface
Calls for through mixing for effective lubrication (this
requires either separate mixing prior to use of some
additive to give the oil good mixing characteristics)
The engine will suffer from insufficient lubrication
when the supply of fuel is less
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Wet sump lubricating system

The bottom of the crankcase contains an oil pan or sump
from which the lubricating oil is pumped to various
components by a pump.
After lubricating the parts, the oil flows back to the sump
by gravity.
There are 3 varieties in wet sump lubricating system
The splash system
The splash and pressure system
The pressure feed system
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Splash system
This type of lubrication system is used in light duty
engines.
The lubricating oil charged in to the bottom of the
crankcase and maintained at predetermined level.
The oil is drawn by a pump and delivered through a
distributing pipe in to the splash troughs.
A splasher or dipper is provided under each connecting
road cap.

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Splash system

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Splash and pressure lubrication system

The lubricating oil is supplied under pressure to main and
camshaft bearings.
The oil is also supplied under pressure to pipes which
direct a stream of oil against the dippers on the big end
connecting rod bearing cup.
The crankpin bearings are lubricated by the splash or
spray of oil thrown up by dipper

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Splash and pressure lubrication system

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Pressure feed system

The oil is forced to all the main bearings of
crankshaft.
Pressure relief valve is fitted to maintain the
predictable pressure values.
Oil hole is drilled from the center of each crankpin
to the center of an adjacent main journal through
which oil can pass from the main bearing to the
crankpin.

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Pressure feed system

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Dry sump lubrication system

In this system the oil is carried in an external tank.
An oil pump draws oil from the supply tank and circulates it
under pressure to the various bearings of the engine.
Oil dripping from the cylinders and bearings in to the sump is
removed by a scavenging pump which in turn is passed
through a filter and fed back to the supply tank.
The capacity of scavenging pump is always greater than the
oil pump.
A separate oil cooler provided to remove heat from the oil
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Dry sump lubrication system

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