Engine Lubrication

Chapter 12

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Objectives
Describe engine lubrication under different
service conditions
Select the correct engine oil to use
Describe the operation of different types of oil
filters

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Introduction
All moving parts
are separated by a
thin oil layer
Oil pump supplies
oil to the engine
Little wear should
occur if oil is
maintained
properly

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Engine Oil
More than basic crude
Contains a complicated additive package
First additives were developed in the 1930s

Does more than lubricate

Cools, cleans, and prevents rust
Fills hydraulic valve lifters or cam followers
Helps seal piston rings against cylinders

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Engine Oil (cont'd.)

Oil level
Correct level is designed to keep the oil pickup
screen below the level of the oil
When checking oil level:

Vehicle should be on a level surface

Engine should be warm but off for five minutes
Push dipstick all the way down
If level is unclear: look at back of dipstick or re-dip
If level is low: check if the vehicle is due for
service
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Engine Oil (cont'd.)

Oil viscosity
Oil thickness or body

Multiple viscosity oils

Most new engine oils
are multiple viscosity

Viscosity index
Ability to resist
change in viscosity
under increased heat

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Engine Oil (cont'd.)

Oil pressure
Develops when there is a resistance to flow
As engine wears, clearance between crankshaft
and bearings increases
Oil pump cannot fill extra clearance
Oil pressure is low when engine idles

SAE 20W-50 provides higher oil pressure in

older, idling engines
Flows more slowly to bearings of new engine
when first started on a cold morning
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Engine Oil Licensing and

Certification
SAE decides when new oil specifications are
needed
American Society for Testing and Materials
Sets performance specifications

American Petroleum Institute

Administers the licensing and certification

Starburst symbol
API licenses engine oil marketers to display its
starburst certification mark
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 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Engine Oil Licensing and

Certification (cont'd.)
Oil service ratings
Set by API
SA through SN
SA: mineral oil with no additives
and is not recommended for
automotive use
S: used for engines with a spark

Diesel engine oils: rated CA

through CJ

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Engine Oil Licensing and

Certification (cont'd.)
European ACEA oils
ACEA standards developed by European auto
manufacturers

Manufacturer-specific oil standards

Becoming more common

Energy-efficient oils
Oil is energy conserving if it passes certain tests
Energy conservation ratings began in 1994

HTHS viscosity rating

Measures viscosity under difficult conditions
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Oil Additives
Additives make up as much as one-third of the
volume of the oil
Additives found in engine oil

Pour-point depressants
Corrosion and rust inhibitors
Antifoam additives
Friction modifiers
Oxidation inhibitors
Antiwear additives
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Oil Additives (cont'd.)

Boundary lubrication
Film becomes too thin or breaks down under load

Detergents and dispersants

Keep small particles suspended
As oil decomposes at high temperatures it reacts
with oxygen to form a gummy mixture
Detergents make deposits oil soluble

Sludge
Mixture of moisture, oil, and contaminants
Clogs oil screen and oil lines if it accumulates
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 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Oil Additives (cont'd.)

Nondetergent oil
Oil without additives is called

Oil oxidizes at temperatures higher than 250F

Becomes thicker and forms varnish deposits

Oxidation rate doubles every 20F above 140F
Antioxidants combat the effects of heat on the oil
Detergents make varnish oil soluble

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Synthetic Oils
Molecules are nearly the same size
Reduces friction

Contain no wax or impurities

Suited to lower temperatures
Can also withstand higher temperatures

Advantages
Lower oil consumption
Can be changed less frequently

Disadvantage
Price
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Changing Engine Oil

Benefits of changing the oil

Oil additives are depleted over time

Cleans smaller contaminants from the oil
Unburned contaminants are removed with the oil
Sludge is removed

Oil change intervals

Vehicles driven primarily on the highway can
change oil every 7,500 miles
Newer engines with VTT require regular oil
changes with high-quality, low-viscosity oil
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Changing Engine oil (cont'd.)

Changing brands of oil
Avoid mixing brands between oil changes
Best done when the oil is being changed
Use any brand of high-grade oil when there is no
choice of brand available

Changing oil
Best to change oil when it is still hot
Mileage service record: usually a sticker

Oil monitor system reset

Included in many late-model vehicles
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Oil Filter
Prevents harmful abrasive particles in the oil
from damaging internal parts
Today's cars use the full-flow oil filter
Must have a by-pass valve

Horizontal mounted filters

Have an anti-drainback valve

By-pass oil filters

Supplemental add-on filters used on heavy trucks

Variations in filters
Identified by a number printed on the metal shell
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 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Changing the Oil Filter

Considerations
Sheet metal shell on filter is very thin
Rubber O-ring seals filter against engine block
Make sure there is not an old seal stuck to the
engine block
Lubricate the O-ring with oil prior to installation

Most filters have instructions printed on the

outside
Overtightening will make future removal difficult

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning