Lecture 10

Engine
Lubrication
System
Mrs. H.P.Nethmi Maduhansi
B.Etech (Hons) Focused on
Electromechanical (UOR)

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Introduction
• Lubrication systems are designed to distribute lubricant to moving
machine parts that come into contact with each other.
• These lubricants help to reduce friction between sliding or rolling
elements, such as gears, spindles, bearings, chains, dies, screws,
cylinders, valves, and cables.
• By minimizing friction, lubricants prevent wear, reduce heat
generation, and avoid premature failure, thus prolonging the service
life of the machine components.
• Additionally, lubricants can function as coolants, mitigating thermal
expansion and maintaining the accuracy of the machine elements.
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Lubricant Characteristics
• The main characteristics that should be present in
the good lubrication oil (engine oil) are
• High viscosity index
• Good thermal stability
• Good oxidation stability
• viscosity is basically the Fluids resistance to flow.
• A good engine oil must be able to start the engine at
low temperature and should be stable at high
temperatures.

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Lubricant characteristics contd.
• By oxidation it is meant as the chemical reaction that
takes place between the lubricating oil and oxygen.
• In case of higher oxidation rate the life of the
engine oil or lubricant decreases.
• Not only this but it also produces high viscosity in
the oil due to very less oxidation stability, will
result in the production of sludge.

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Configuration of lubrication system

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Components of lubrication system
• Oil sump
• Oil pump
• Oil cooler
• Oil filter and strainer
• Oil pressure gauge
• Oil pressure indicating light
• Oil level indicator

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Components of lubrication system
contd.
• Oil Sump –
• A reservoir where lubricant is kept when the engine is not
running.
• An oil sump is typically made of steel or aluminum and can
usually hold between 4 and 6 liters of oil, depending on the
capacity of the vehicle.
• Oil Filters –
• Filters out any dirt or contaminants that the oil may have
collected while running through the system.
• There are two main types,
1. Full-flow or primary filter : filter oil without interrupting the flow
2. By-pass or secondary filter : supports the full flow filter by
catching any contaminant it may have missed, offering extra7
protection
Components of lubrication system
contd.
• Oil Pump -
• Lubricants are pumped and circulated throughout the
engine by the pump.
• Oil galleries -
• The passages in an engine lubrication system that deliver
or circulate oil to critical components such as the crankshaft
bearings.
• These passageways are integrated throughout the engine
block and cylinder head and are typically made of metal.

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Key lubrication points
• Bearings
• Bearings are used to support various rotating parts
including the crankshaft and camshaft.
• In the crankshaft, there are main bearings, and
connecting rod bearings.
• As the crankshaft rotates, it splashes oil from the
galleries onto the bearings, preventing metal-to-
metal contact and reducing wear and friction.

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Key lubrication points contd.
• Piston rings and cylinder walls
• The piston rings slide against the cylinder walls, creating high friction.
Lubrication helps prevent overheating and wear of both surfaces.
• Valvetrain components
• This includes rocker arms, pushrods, and valves, which need
lubrication for smooth operation as they actuate the engine's valves.
• Timing Chain/Belt and Gears
• These components synchronize the movement of the camshaft and
crankshaft. They require proper lubrication to reduce friction and
noise and to prevent wear.

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Common problems in lubrication
system
• Low oil pressure
• Engine oil leak
• Lubricant contamination
• Dirty oil filter
• Oil pump failures

Figure : Engine oil leakages

Figure : Clean vs Dirty filters 11

Engine Lubrication system
maintenance
• The best way to maintain the engine lubrication system is to
stay on top of regular oil changes and filter
replacements.
• This should usually be done annually or every 3000 to 6000
miles, whichever comes sooner.
• Should also check your oil every few weeks and top up as
required.
• A lack of oil prevents proper lubrication of all the components
mentioned above, causing metal-on-metal friction inside the
engine. This has the potential to cause serious
irreversible damage or even engine failure and
overheating.
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SAE Number
• SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) numbers
classify the viscosity of lubricants, particularly
engine oils, to indicate how they flow at certain
temperatures.
• For winter use 5W,10W,20W
• For normal use 20,30,40

• Engine oils have two main types:

• Single-Grade Oils
• Multi-Grade Oils
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 SAE Number
• Single-Grade Oils:
• These meet either normal or high-temperature viscosity
standards. It do not have a low temperature requirement.
Examples include SAE 30, SAE 40, and SAE 50.

• Multi-Grade Oils:
• These perform across a range of temperatures and are
designated by two numbers (e.g., SAE 10W-30).
• "W" (Winter): This rating measures oil viscosity at 0°F (-
17.8°C). Lower "W" numbers mean better performance
in colder conditions (e.g., SAE 5W-30).
• Higher Number: The second number indicates viscosity at
high temperatures (100°C). Higher values mean the oil is
thicker and more stable under heat (e.g., SAE 10W-40 is more
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resistant to thinning than SAE 10W-30 at high temperatures).
Engine oil recommended in relation
with the outside temperature – SAE
Grades

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Classification of lubrication systems
• There are three lubrication systems,

1. Splash system

2. Full pressure system

3. Mixture lubricating system

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Splash Lubrication
• An engine that uses splash lubrication
requires neither oil pump nor oil filter.
• Splash lubrication is an antique system
whereby scoops on the big-ends of
the connecting rods dip into the oil
sump and splash the lubricant
upwards towards the cylinders, creating
an oil mist which settles into droplets.
• The oil droplets then pass through
drillings to the bearings and thereby
lubricate the moving parts.
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Advantages of splash lubrication
system
• Simplicity: The splash system requires minimal parts
and setup, making it straightforward and easy to
maintain.
• Cost-Effective: Fewer components mean reduced
manufacturing costs and maintenance expenses.
• Self-Regulating: No need for an external pump; the
system relies on the motion of existing parts, so it
doesn’t need additional energy.
• Reduced Risk of Oil Pressure Failure: There is no oil
pump that can fail, reducing potential pressure issues.
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Disadvantages of splash lubrication
system
• Limited Efficiency: It cannot provide consistent or high-
pressure oil flow, which can lead to inadequate lubrication
at higher speeds or loads.
• Uneven Lubrication: Oil distribution is not precise, leading
to areas that may be over-lubricated or under-lubricated.
• Not Suitable for High RPMs: At higher speeds, the
splashing effect becomes inconsistent and cannot
sustain lubrication needs.
• Oil Foaming: The continuous splashing can introduce air
bubbles into the oil, causing foaming and reducing
lubrication effectiveness.
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Full pressure lubrication system
• The full pressure lubrication system also known as
forced lubrication.
• In this system, oil is circulated under pressure to all critical
moving parts, ensuring efficient and consistent lubrication
throughout the engine.
• Full pressure systems can be categorised under two Sections.

1. Wet sump lubrication

2. Dry sump lubrication

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Wet sump lubrication system
• In this system, the bottom of crank
case contains a large capacity oil
sump which works as an oil supply
or reservoir tank and most of cases
acts as an oil cooler.
• From the crank case sump oil is
drawn by a low-pressure oil
pump and delivered to various
components of the engine.
• Oil then gradually returns back by Figure : Basic components of a
wet sump lubrication system.
gravity to the sump after serving
the purpose. 21
Dry sump lubrication system
• Oil from the sump (Engine
crankcase) is pumped to the
separate storage tank
outside the engine cylinder. Filte
r
• The oil from the sump passes
through the filter.
• The function of the filter is to
remove the abrasive particles
from oil. If the filter becomes Filte
clogged the filter bypass r
relief valve open, permitting
oil to bypass the filter.
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Extra studying materials
• https://www.gulfoilltd.com/blog/how-does-the-engine-lub
rication-system-work
• https://youtu.be/Nq41vK-tmkE?si=OdEsvytdVcNG8DYB

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Thank you.

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