Engine Lubrication and Cooling system

1. ENGINE LUBRICATING SYSTEM

The lubricating system supplies lubricating oil to all moving parts in the engine. It also
control of friction and wear by the introduction of a friction–reducing film between moving
surfaces in contact.

Types of Lubricating System

1. Splash Type – it refers to the system in which the oil is being splashed from the oil pan
into the lower part of the crankcase. Usually, the connecting rod has a dipper that dips
into the crankcase oil each time the piston reaches BDC. Likewise, usually used in a
smaller like a single cylinder engine.

2. Pressure Feed Type – this type of lubricating system connotes that the engine parts are
lubricated by oil fed under pressure from the oil pump.

Component Parts of the Lubricating System

1. Crankcase / oil pan – it is an iron or aluminum casting enclosing the crankshaft; it is
usually considered as the storage of oil in the engine.
2. Oil Pump – it refers to a pump, which circulates
lubricating oil from the engine’s sump through the
lubrication system. Likewise, an oil pump has of two
(2) kinds, to wit:

2.1 – Rotor –Type Pump – it has the inner rotor

meshes internally with the outer one, which
has one more lobe, so the spaces vary in size,
causing oil to be drawn in and forced out. Oil Pump – Rotor Type

2.2 - Gear Type Pump - this contains a pair of

meshing gears revolving in a closely fitting
housing. Oil fed in at one side is carried
round the edge and out at the other side.

Oil Pump – Gear Type

3. Oil Filters – it is usually embodying an element of impregnated paper, fitted to an

engine to prevent dirt, metal particles and other impurities from circulating in the
engine’s lubrication system.

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 Oil Pump Filter By-pass Valve

Engine parts
that needs
lubrication

Pressure Relief Valve

Oil Pump

Cut-away View of Oil Filter Full Flow Filter

 Filter By-pass Valve – use if the filter gets plugged.

 Pressure Relief Valve – it protects against excessive pressure.

4. Oil Gallery – it refers to the hole or pipe in the crankcase, cylinder block or cylinder
head through which lubricating oil is circulated to the various bearings. The main oil
gallery runs along the crankcase, and feeds the main bearing through oilways.

5. Dipstick – connotes to a graduated rod for measuring the amount of oil in the engine
sump or gearbox.

6. Oil Pressure Gauge – use to measure the amount of oil pressure

7. Lubricants – it signifies to the substance introduced between surfaces that are in relative
motion; and to reduce wear and friction. Basically, there are three (3) types of lubricants,
to wit:
6.1 – Fluid Lubricant - example lubricating oil
6.2 – Solid Lubricant – example grease
6.3 – Plastic Substance

Function of Lubricants
1. Minimize Friction – the oil must form a film between highly loaded moving parts.

2. Prevent Wear – the must protect highly loaded parts which can wear out when the
fluid film is very thin (boundary lubrication).

3. Act as a coolant – the oil must remove heat generated both inside and outside the
equipment.

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 4. Act as a Hydraulic Medium – the oil doesn’t have this job in all applications, but it is
not uncommon for the lubricating oil to be part of the hydraulic system.

5. Prevent Corrosion – The oil must protect precision parts made of various metals,
which are vulnerable to rust and corrosion.

6. Prevent formation of deposits – lubricants are designed to resist formation of deposits

(like sludge and varnish), which can accumulate in the lubricating system and interfere
with the oil’s ability to lubricate.

7. Carry away contaminants – the oil often wear in the process of carrying contaminants
to the filter. Contamination is the major reason oils must be changed. Contaminants
can come from both internal and external sources.
Properties of Lubricating Oil
1. Proper Viscosity – means to measure the oil’s resistance to flow. A low-viscosity oil is
thin and flows easily. A high-viscosity oil is thicker. It flows more slowly.
2. Viscosity Index – this is a measure of how much the viscosity of an oil changes with
temperature.
3. Viscosity Numbers – lubricating oils either in single or multi-viscosity oils are rated
according to its numbers. SAE 30 or SAE 40 are examples of a single-viscosity oil and
SAE20W50 is also an example of a multi-viscosity oil. The letter W indicated in multi-
viscosity oil stands for Winter Grade and the word SAE means Society of Automotive
Engineers.
4. Resistance to Carbon Formation and Oil Oxidation – when oil is refine, chemicals are
added to fight carbon formation and oxidation. These can occur at the high temperatures
inside the engine.
5. Corrosion and rust Inhibitors – these are additives that are put in the oil to help fight
corrosion and rust in the engine.
6. Foaming Resistance – the churning action of the crankshaft causes the oil to foam or
aerate thus reduces the lubricating effectiveness of the oil. As a result, an additive is mix
to prevent the oil to foam.
7. Detergent-Dispersant – These additives are similar in action to soap. They loosen and
detach particles of carbon and grit from engine parts.
8. Extreme-pressure Resistance - this is another additives put into the oil to improve the
resistance of the oil film to penetration.
9. Energy-Conserving Oil – this is a property of an oil which reduces fuel consumption
when compared to engine operation.

10. Synthetic Oil – these oils are made by chemical processes and do not necessarily come
from petroleum. This is a property of an oil which tolerates heat better than other oils
while producing less sludge and carbon deposits.
Service Rating Oil
Oil is rated by viscosity number and by its servicing rating. This designation by the
American Petroleum Institute (API) indicates the service for which the oil is best suited.

Gasoline Engine Diesel Engine

SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, CA, CB, CC, CD,

SF, and SG CE, and CF

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 3. ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM

The engine cooling system keeps the engine maintains its normal operating temperature.

Types of Cooling System

1. Direct Cooling System – engines with this type of cooling system are also called air-
cold engines. During operation, air is drawn by a blower leading to air metal fins or shrouds are
the cylinders through air ducts.

2. Indirect Cooling System – engines with this type of cooling system are also called
water-cooled engines.

In this year, water serves as the coolant or the cooling medium, which circulates in the
water jackets to absorb the heat of the engine. This passage of hot water is usually
thermostatically controlled so that water is allowed to go back to the radiator only when a certain
engine temperature is reached.

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 Component Parts of the Indirect Cooling System

Radiator Cup 1. Radiator – is the heat exchanger of the

coolant.

2. Expansion Tank – it is a separate

plastic reservoir of coolant which is
connected to the overflow or transfer
tube of the radiator filler neck. This
will keep the cooling efficiency and
Expansion Tank eliminates air bubbles from coolant;
hence air bubbles can handle more
heat.
Radiator

3. Radiator Hose – it is a rubber or fabric pipe between

the radiator and the engine. The upper hose feeds hot
coolant to the radiator and the lower hose returns the
cooled coolant to the engine.

4. Radiator Pressure Cap – designed to maintain pressure in the cooling system above
that atmospheric pressure of 101 kPa at sea level.
Radiator Pressure Cap Water pump

5. Water Pump – it is a mechanical pump, which is driven by the engine crankshaft to aid
the water circulation of the system.

6. Engine Fan and Electric Cooling Fan – pulls or pushes outside air through the radiator to
improve its cooling system.

Auxiliary Fan
Engine Fan

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 7. Thermostat – it is a thermostatic valve, which opens and closes according to the
temperature it. This would prevent circulation of the coolant to the radiator until the
engine is warmed.

Various Types of Thermostat

8. Radiator Hose Clips

9. Fan Belt – it is used to drive the fan, water pump, and the generator/alternator from a pulley
of the crankshaft.
10. Temperature Gauge – it is an instrument used to indicate the temperature of the engine
coolant.

11. Water Jackets – it is the internal passages of coolant.

Fan Belts

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Working Safely on the Cooling System

a. Keep your hands away from the moving fan. The spinning fan blades can mangle your
hand and even cut off fingers.

b. Never stand in a direct line with the fan. A fan blade could break off and fly out of
the engine compartment. Anyone standing in line with the fan could be seriously
injured. Before starting an engine, examine the fan for cracked or loose blades. If you
find damage, replace the fan.

c. Electric fans can turn on unexpectedly, especially if the engine is warm. Always
disconnect the fan before working in the fan area.

d. Keep your fingers away from the moving belt and pulleys. Your fingers could be
pitched and cut off if they are caught between the belt and a pulley.

e. Never attempt to remove the radiator cap from an engine that is near or above its
normal operating temperature. Releasing the pressure cap may cause instant boiling
of the coolant. You may be scalded and burned by boiling coolant and steam spurting
from the radiator filler neck. Allow the engine to cool before removing the radiator
cap.

f. Coolant is poisonous. It can cause serious illness or even death if swallowed. Always
wash your hands if you get coolant on them.
g. A puddle of drained coolant will poison any pet drinking from it. Coolant is a
hazardous material. Dispose of it in a safe and legal manner.
h. Under some conditions, the ethylene glycol in antifreeze is combustible. Do not spill
antifreeze on the exhaust manifold or other hot engine parts.
i. If the engine overheats, turn off the engine as soon as it is safe to do so. Continued
operation of an overheated engine may cause fire, the possibility of personal injury,
and severe vehicle damage.

j. Never disconnect a hose or attempt to replace any cooling system part until after the
engine cools. Pressure in the system may cause hot coolant to spray out, burning or
scalding the person.
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