Jet engine lubrication system

Basic Concepts

I- functions of a jet engine lubrication system

a.Reduces friction
b.Cushions impact
c. Assists in cooling
d.Prevents internal corrosion
e.Seals very small clearances
f. Helps in cleaning

II- Classification of lubrication systems

A. Wet Sump = oil is stored in

an engine sump or accessory
gearbox
B. Dry sump = oil is stored in a
separate reservoir usually
mounted externally on the
engine.

II- Classification of lubrication systems (contd)

Most jet engines use a Dry

sump lubrication system.
The dry sump oil system has
two types of installations

III- Block diagram of a jet engine oil system - Cold tank

installation (oil coolers on the scavenge side before tank)
Tem
p
Ga

Internal
&
External
gearbox
es

vent

Air oil
separat
or
Oil
tank

F
C
O
C

A
C
O
C

LCF

Main
bearin
gs

Internal
sumps
Scaven
ge
filter

Suction
filter

Scavenge
pumps

Main
oil
filter

Oil
press
ure
pump

Pr
.G
a

Components of the block diagram and their functions

A. Reservoir = a metal tank used to store the oil
B. Suction filter = removes contaminants from the oil before reaching
the oil pressure pump
C. Oil pressure pump = sucks oil from the tank through the suction
filter and delivers it to the bearings and gearboxes
D. Main oil filter = removes contaminants from the oil before it enters
the bearing chambers and the gearboxes
E. LCF = Last Chance Filters are installed just before the bearings in
case the main filter becomes clogged, they are the last means of
filtering the oil, because the bearings are extremely important for
continuous operation of the engine.
F. Internal Sumps = collect the oil after lubrication
G. Scavenge pumps = have a higher capacity than the pressure pump
and they scavenge the oil from the internal sumps and delivers it to the
tank
H. Scavenge filter = remove contaminants from oil before reaching the
tank
I. FCOC/ACOC = Fuel Cooled Oil Cooler / Air Cooled Oil Cooler = cools
the oil by means of fuel or air
j. Air oil separator = separates the air bubbles from the oil

An Alternate configuration Hot tank installation

(Oil Coolers located after pressure pump/filter)

NOTE:
ANY LUBRICATION SYSTEM CONSISTS OF THREE CIRCUITS

1- A PRESSURE CIRCUIT
2- A RETURN CIRCUIT
3- A VENT CIRCUIT

IV- Maintenance practices associated with

lubrication systems
1.
2.
3.
4.

Check Oil Quantity + servicing/adding

Engine Oil change
Engine oil sampling/analysis
Oil filters replacement or cleaning where
applicable
5. Oil reservoir flushing / cleaning
6. Checking the magnetic chip detectors in
critical areas for presence of any metal
particles

IV-a- Servicing and Inspecting magnetic chip

detectors
1. Checking oil quantity
+
servicing/adding (general rule within a certain
amount of time after shutdown)
Reference Maintenance Manual Chapter 12
Note:
Oil specification is the most important factor to
check before servicing.
MIL-PRF-23699 (Airbus reference CP2442)

Oil used to lubricate jet engines is:

a.Synthetic
b.supplied in oil cans (1 US quart = 946 ml)

IV-b- Servicing and Inspecting magnetic

chip detectors
2. Magnetic Chip Detectors are located in return
lines after critical items such as Gearboxes
and Bearings
Reference Maintenance Manual Chapter 79
Always check for evidence of metal chips that
might cause suspicion

WHAT TYPE OF OIL SYSTEM IS USED ON THIS JET ENGINE?

QUICK REVIEW
A Lubrication system
a) Assists in increasing engine air pressure
b) Assists in decreasing impact risks
c) Assists in reducing sound
d) Assists in cooling the engine
In a cold tank dry sump installation, the oil coolers
a) Are located after the oil tank
b) Are located before the oil tank
c) Are located after the pressure pump
d) Are located before the pressure pump
Magnetic chip detectors are usually located
a) Inside the pressure pump
b) After the oil tank but before a critical item
c) In the oil lines returning from critical components
d) Over the accessory gearbox