Lubrication Systems

Functions of lubrication:
a) Reducing frictional effect: the primary purpose of the lubrication is to reduce friction and
wear between two rubbing surfaces. Two rubbing surfaces always produce friction. This
continuous friction produce heat which causes wearing of parts and loss of power. In order to
avoid friction, the contact of two sliding surfaces must be reduced as far as possible. This can
be done by proper lubrication only. Lubrication forms an oil film between two moving surfaces.
Lubrication also reduces noise produced by the movement of two metals surfaces over each
other.
b) Cooling effect: the heat, generated by piston, cylinder, and bearing is removed by lubrication
to a great extent. Lubrication creates cooling effect on the engine parts.
c) Sealing effect: the lubricant enters into the gap between the cylinder liner, piston and piston
rings thus; it prevents leakage of gases from engine cylinder.
d) Cleaning effect: lubrication keeps the engine clean by removing dirt or carbon from inside
of the engine with the oil.
The various lubrication systems used for lubricating the various parts of engine are classified
as
1. Mist lubrication system
2. Wet sump lubrication system, and
3. Dry sump lubrication system.
1. Mist lubrication system:

Mist lubrication system is a very simple type of lubrication. In this system, the small quantity
of lubricating oil (usually 2 to 3%) is mixed with the fuel (preferably gasoline). The oil and
fuel mixture is introduced through the carburetor. The gasoline vaporized and oil in the form
of mist enters the cylinder via the crank base. The droplets of oil strike the crank base. The
droplets of oil strike the crank base, lubricate the main and connecting rod bearings and the rest
of the oil lubricates the piston, piston rings and cylinder.
The system is preferred in two stroke engines where crank base lubrication is not required. In
a two-stroke engine, the charge is partially compressed in a crank base, so it is not possible to
have the oil in the crank base.
This system is simple, low cost and maintenance free because it does not require any oil pump,
filter, etc. However, it has certain serious disadvantages. Therefore, it is not popular among the
lubrication system. Its disadvantages are the following:
1. During combustion in the engine, some lubricating oil also burnt and it causes
heavy exhaust and forms deposits on the piston crown, exhaust port and exhaust
system.
2. Since the lubricating oil comes in contact with acidic vapours produced during the
combustion, it gets contaminated and may result in the corrosion of the bearings
surface.
3. When the vehicle is moving downhill, the throttle is almost closed, and the engine
suffers lack of lubrication as supply of fuel is less. It is a very serious drawback of
this system.
4. There is no control over the supply of lubricating oil to the engine. In normal
operating conditions, the two-stroke engines are always over-oiled. Thus
consumption of oil is also more.
5. This system requires thorough mixing of oil and fuel prior to admission into the
engine. It requires either separate mixing or use of some additives.
2. Wet-sump lubrication system:

In the wet-sump lubrication system, the bottom of the crank case contains an oil pan or sump
that serves as oil supply, oil storage tank and oil cooler. The oil dripping from the cylinders,
bearings and other parts, fall under gravity back into the sump, from where it is picked up by
pump and recirculated through the engine lubrication system. There are three varieties in wet-
sump lubrication system. They are:
1. Splash lubrication system

2. Splash and pressure system and
3. Pressurized lubrication system.
2.1 Splash lubrication System:

Splash lubrication system is used on small, stationary four-stroke engines. In this system, the
cap of the big end bearing on the connecting rod is provided with a scoop which strikes and
dips into the oil-filled through at every revolution of the crank shaft and oil is splashed all over
the interior of crank case into the piston and over the exposed portion of the cylinder is shown
in the figure below.
A hole is drilled through the connecting rod cap through which the oil passes to the bearing
surface. Oil pockets are provided to catch the splashed oil over all the main bearings and also
the cam shaft bearings. From these pockets oil passes to the bearings through drilled hole. The
surplus oil dripping from the cylinder flows back to the oil sump in the crank case.
2.2 Splash and pressure lubrication system:

Splash and pressure lubrication system is combination of splash and pressure system as
shown in below figure. In this system, the lubricating oil is supplied by a pump under pressure
to main and cam shaft bearings. the oil is also directed in the form of spray from nozzle or
splashed by a scoop or dipper on the big end to lubricate bearings at the big end of the
connecting rod, crank pin, gudgeon pin, piston rings and cylinder.
2.3 Pressurized lubrication system:
In pressurized lubrication system, the lubricating oil is supplied by a pump under pressure to
all parts requiring lubrication as shown in below figure. The oil under the pressure is supplied
to main bearings of the crank shaft and camshaft. Holes drilled through the main crank shaft
bearings journals, communicate oil to big end bearing and small end bearings through the hole
drilled in the connecting rod. a pressure gauge is provided to confirm the circulation of oil to
various parts.
This system provides sufficient lubrication to all parts and is favoured by most of the engine
manufacturers. This is used in most heavy duty and high-speed engines.
3. Dry-sump lubrication system:

In dry-sump lubrication system, the oil supply is carried from an external tank. The oil from
the sump is pumped by means of a scavenging pump through filters to the external storage
tank. the oi from the storage tank is pumped to engine cylinder through and oil cooler. The oil
pressure may vary from 3 to 8 bar.
The dry-sump lubrication system is generally used for heavy-duty engines.

Lubrication Systems

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Lubrication Systems

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Functions of lubrication:

1. Mist lubrication system:

2. Wet-sump lubrication system:

1. Splash lubrication system

2.1 Splash lubrication System:

2.2 Splash and pressure lubrication system:

3. Dry-sump lubrication system:

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