Engine Lubrication

System

Abdelrahman Ali
89035
Understanding Engine Lubrication
System
An automotive engine needs lubrication as they comprise two or more
robing, moving parts. These parts produce friction and generate heat
which causes excessive wear and tear of the pairs. Lubrication plays a
vital role in automobiles as it aids the working efficiency and longevity
of an engine. When two moving parts experience a film of lubrication,
they are separate from each other. That is, they do not come in physical
contact with each other.

Automobiles are designed with indicator lights that are “on” when the
engine oil pressure is low. Although some engine uses the indicator to
show the quality of
the oil in the engine.
Electric analog and
electronic digital
gauges are used to
indicate the oil
pressure. A dipstick is
also available to
measure the oil level
in the oil pan.
What is Engine Lubrication?
Engine lubrication is the process in which robing metal parts are
separated by the flow of lubricating substances between them.
lubricants are available in liquid, solid, or gas, but liquid is the most
form of lubrication used in engines.

Functions of Engine Lubricating System

Below are the functions of lubricating oil in an engine:

• The primary purpose of engine lubrication is to minimize wear

by securely closing the clearance between moving parts such as
shafts, bearings, etc. Lubrication also avoids the moving parts not
to come in direct contact with each other.
• Oil serves as a cleaning agent in an engine as it moves the dirt
particle to the oil pan. Smaller particles are filtered out by the oil
filters while larger ones are retained in the oil pan.
• Another purpose of engine lubrication is that it serves as a
cooling system. Lubricating oil cools the moving parts of the
engine and transferred the hot oil into the cooler oil in the oil pan.
• The oil creates a seal between the cylinder walls and the piston
rings. It also reduces the exhaust gas blowby.
• Clearance between the rotating journals and bearing is filled with
oil. The oil acts as a cushioning agent when the bearing suddenly
experiences heavy loads. Oils reduce the wear on bearings.
Major Parts of Engine Lubricating System
The following are lubrication system components:

Oil pan/sump:
An oil sump is a reservoir in the shape of a bowl that stores the engine
oil. With the sump, the oil circulates within the engine. The part is
located below the crankcase which is the beneath the engine, making
the oil to be easily removed through the bottom. Bad roads often cause
damage to the oil pan. This is why the sump is made with hard material
and featured a stone guard at it underneath. This sump guard
withstands any hits from uneven ground or bad roads.

Oil Pump:
The oil pump is a component that helps to push the lubricating oil to all
the moving parts in the engine. It’s located at the bottom of the
crankcase, close to the oil sump. It supplies oil to the oil filter before
sending it further. Oil pumps can eventually stop working, which may
lead to damage to the engine. It can be caused by small particles inside
the lubricating oil, which choke the oil pump and galleries. To avoid this
problem, changing the engine oil and filter is very necessary within
some period of time.

Oil filter:
The oil filter helps to keep small particles, separating them from the oil
so that clean oil can flow to the engine parts. The oil pump allows the
oil to flow through the oil filter to the galleries before reaching the
engine parts.
Oil Galleries:
The function of oil galleries in the engine lubrication system is to
circulate oil quickly to reach all moving parts in automobiles. So, the
performance of an oil gallery determines how fast your engine parts
received oil. The oil galleries are a series of interconnected passages
that transfers oil to parts that requires it. These passages are big and
small holes drilled inside the cylinder block. The bigger holes are
connected to the smaller ones until it reaches the cylinder head and
overhead camshafts.

Oil cooler:
An oil cooler is a device that works as a radiator as it cools down the hot
oil. Coolers transfer the heat from the engine oil to the engine coolant
using its fins. Oil coolers stabilize the temperature of the engine oil,
keep its viscosity under control, prevent the engine from overheating,
minimize wear and tear as well as retain the lubricant quality
Some engine lubricating system circulates oil within the engine with the
recycling process. The following are the parts that oil is supplied during
the process:

• Crankshaft main bearings

• Big end bearings
• Piston pins and small end bushes
• Piston rings
• Timing Gears
• Air-compressor piston and bearings (in commercial vehicles for
air-brake)
• Camshaft and bearings
• Valves
• Cylinder walls
• Oil pump parts
• Water pump bearings
• Turbocharger bearings (if available)
• Vacuum pump bearings (if available)
• In-Line Fuel Injection Pump bearings
• Tappets and push-rods