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Importance of Lubrication and Cooling Systems in an Engine

Does anyone know the importance of lubrication and cooling systems in an engine?

The lubrication and cooling system of an internal- combustion engine is very important. If the lubricating system should fail, not only will the engine stop, but many of the parts are likely to be damage beyond repair. Coolant protects your engine from freezing or overheating.

What lubrication system does for an engine?

1. The job of the lubrication system is to distribute oil to the moving parts to reduce friction between surfaces which rub against each other.
2. An oil pump is located on the bottom of the engine.
3. The pump is driven by a worm gear off the main exhaust valve cam shaft.
4. The oil is pumped to the top of the engine inside a feed line.
5. Small holes in the feed line allow the oil to drip inside the crankcase.
6. The oil drips onto the pistons as they move in the cylinders, lubricating the surface between the piston and cylinder.
7. The oil then runs down inside the crankcase to the main bearings holding the crankshaft.
8. Oil is picked up and splashed onto the bearings to lubricate these surfaces.
9. Along the outside of the bottom of the crankcase is a collection tube which gathers up the used oil and returns it to the oil pump to be circulated again.

Purpose of Lubrication System

Lubricate

Reduces Friction by creating a thin film(Clearance) between moving parts (Bearings and journals)

Seals

The oil helps form a gastight seal between piston rings and cylinder walls (Reduces Blow-By)
Internal oil leak (blow-by) will result in blue smoke at the tale pipe.

Cleans

As it circulates through the engine, the oil picks up metal particles and carbon, and brings them back down to the pan.

Absorbs shock

When heavy loads are imposed on the bearings, the oil helps to cushion the load.

Viscosity:

Viscosity is a measure of oil’s resistance to flow.
A low viscosity oil is thin and flows easily
A high viscosity oil is thick and flows slowly.
As oil heats up it becomes more viscous (Becomes thin)

Proper lubrication of an engine is a complex process.

Motor oil must perform many functions under many different operating conditions.

The primary functions of oil are listed below:
1. Provide a barrier between moving parts to reduce friction, heat buildup, and wear.
2. Disperse heat. Friction from moving parts and combustion of fuel produce heat that must be carried away.
3. Absorb and suspend dirt and other particles. Dirt and carbon particles need to be carried by the oil to the oil filter where they can be trapped.
4. Neutralize acids that can build up and destroy polished metal surfaces.
5. Coat all engine parts. Oil should have the ability to leave a protective coating on all parts when the engine is turned off to prevent rust and corrosion.
6. Resist sludge and varnish buildup. Oil must be able to endure extreme heat without changing in physical properties or breaking down.
7. Stay fluid in cold weather; yet remain thick enough to offer engine

What the cooling system does for an engine.
1. Although gasoline engines have improved a lot, they are still not very efficient at turning chemical energy into mechanical power.
2. Most of the energy in the gasoline (perhaps 70%) is converted into heat, and it is the job of the cooling system to take care of that heat. In fact, the cooling system on a car driving down the freeway dissipates enough heat to heat two average-sized houses!
3. The primary job of the cooling system is to keep the engine from overheating by transferring this heat to the air, but the cooling system also has several other important jobs.
4. The engine in your car runs best at a fairly high temperature.
5. When the engine is cold, components wear out faster, and the engine is less efficient and emits more pollution.
6. So another important job of the cooling system is to allow the engine to heat up as quickly as possible, and then to keep the engine at a constant temperature.