Oil lubrication is vital to vehicle engine system such that it provides a barrier between rotating engine parts to prevent damage by friction, damage which can result in huge auto repair bills. The engine lubrication system includes the oil pump, oil filter, lubricating oil and the oil passages. The engine oil provides a method of cooling engine parts that are not cooled by the engine cooling system. Engine oil helps to protect engine components from corrosion by neutralizing harmful chemicals that are the by-product of combustion.
To protect moving parts and reduce friction, automotive engine oil provides a barrier between the rotating or moving engine components. Ideally, a film of oil should exist between moving components. This is called full film lubrication. In order to achieve full film lubrication, a constant supply of clean oil is required. The engine oil system constantly filters and circulates engine oil to ensure that all components are protected.
The engine oil is stored in the crankcase. Most engines hold between 4 to 6 quarts of oil. The engine oil pump pressurizes and circulates the engine oil.
The oil will flow from the OIL PUMP to the OIL FILTER, where it is cleaned. The cleaned engine oil then moves through passages, into the CRANKSHAFT where it circulates through the engine bearings. The crankshaft has passages bored into it that allows oil to travel to all the bearing surfaces. The CYLINDER WALLS and PISTONS are lubricated by the oil that is thrown from the CRANKSHAFT as it rotates. This is sometimes referred to as SPLASH LUBRICATION.
Engine oil will leave the CRANKSHAFT, usually at a passage in one of the main bearings and is fed to the CAMSHAFT and LIFTERS. On some overhead valve engines, oil will travel through the PUSHRODS up to the VALVE TRAIN to lubricate the rocker arms. Other designs use a passage to feed oil through a ROCKER ARM shaft to achieve the same purpose. The oil then returns to the CRANKCASE by return holes in the cylinder heads. It is then picked up by the OIL PUMP to be circulated again.
This process is more or less like a circular form ::> From the OIL PUMP to the OIL FILTER to the CRANKSHAFT to the CAMSHAFT/LIFTERS to the VALVE TRAIN to the CRANKCASE then back to the OIL PUMP.
Check Back for the continuation of this information........
COMMON CAUSES
The most common reason for the consumption of engine oil is worn valve guides, usually the exhaust guides or worn piston rings. If you change your engines oil every 3,000 miles, running a 1/2 quart low on oil at the time of oil change can be normal.
The engines oil in car engines provides lubrication to critical moving parts within the engine. Some of these parts are the rings and valve guides, require moderate lubrication. It also keeps the oil from entering the combustion chamber.
If these parts wear, too much clearance between the mating surfaces will exist and will allow the oil to enter the combustion chamber where it will be burnt and exhausted out of the tail pipe.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE
- Run the engine for several minutes at idle.
- Turn the engine off and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- Restart the engine and immediately increase the engine speed while you observe the exhaust.
If a heavy billow of bluish smoke is exhausted then disappears and the exhaust remains relatively clean, the most likely cause is excessive valve guide wear.
In this case, the valve guides or valve guide seals require service.
If the above test only produces mild smoke and the smoke remains at the same level during all operating conditions, the piston rings will have to be tested.
This is done by performing a compression test on the engine. The first test is referred to as a “dry test” and the second test is referred to as a “wet test”.
The dry test consists of measuring the engines compression using a compression tester installed in the spark plug hole and the ignition system disabled. The engine is then cranked and the pressure is measured and recorded. A few teaspoons full of oil is then poured into the spark plug hole and the compression is then measured again. If the reading increases more than 15 PSI, the rings are worn and major engine service is probably required.
PRECAUTION, TIPS AND NOTES
Use caution when working around hot or rotating engine parts. Compression testers are available at most auto parts stores. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for proper useage.
When performing a compression test it is critical that the ignition system be disabled to prevent the engine from starting. This is usually done by connecting a wire to each of the spark plug wires to a good engine ground away from your work area. Refer to a manufacturers specific service manual for proper testing procedures.
TO GET MORE UPDATES DIRECTLY ON YOUR PHONE JOIN OUR BBM CHANNEL.
BBM CHANNEL PIN: C0013E031
Did you notice recently that the colored smoke coming from your car’s exhaust is not good to your vehicles. The very best for your car is colorless fume coming from your car's exhaust. Though car exhaust brings out different color smokes depending on where the fault is coming from, and you must pay attention to it even if the car is not given any fault notice.
To know what the colors means and where it is likely the fault is coming from. You need to study carefully the four basic 'bad' colors coming out from your car exhaust, and what may be causing them.
What does BLACK smoke from my exhaust mean?
When the engine is burning too much fuel the car exhaust releases black colored smoke.
If your car exhaust is releasing black colored smoke, what you should do first is to check your air-filter and other intake components like sensors, fuel injectors and the fuel-pressure regulator.
Another reason why your car exhaust may be smoking black colored smoke could be a clogged fuel return line. Black smoke is usually the easiest issue to diagnose and fix, but burning unnecessary fuel will definitely affect your fuel economy, so don’t think of avoiding this one to save money, it won’t work.
What does BLUE smoke from my exhaust mean?
Unlike the when your car is blowing a black smoke, If your car is blowing blue smoke, it’s a clear sign that the engine is burning oil. What happens is that the valve guide seals or piston rings are worn out, and oil is leaking past from where it should be lubricating the moving parts, to the combustion chamber where it’s being burned up with the fuel.
If you’re seeing this kind of smoke, check your oil regularly and watch for consumption issues. While an issue that normally should require immediate attention and expensive repairs, including some internal replacement parts, if your vehicle is old and the leak is minimal, it can be carefully managed by topping up the oil on a regular basis.
Along with environmental damage, burning oil can cause rough starts, as the process can ruin the car’s spark plugs.
There is another reason for blue smoke, and that’s if the car is turbocharged; the smoke being a sign that the blower is in need of rebuilding or replacement.
What does GRAY smoke from my exhaust mean?
Gray smoke is hard to diagnose directly. Like blue smoke, it can mean that the car is burning oil or suffering from a bad turbocharger. Take the same precautions as with blue smoke, and check for excessive oil consumption.
Gray smoke can also be an issue with your automatic transmission fluid getting burned up in the engine. A faulty transmission vacuum modulator would be the culprit in this situation, leading to transmission fluid getting sucked into the engine and getting burned up.
Furthermore, gray smoke could mean a stuck PCV valve. The PCV system (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) cuts down on harmful emissions by recycling them back into the combustion chamber. However, when the PCV valve gets stuck, pressure can build and lead to oil leaks. Fortunately, PCV valves aren’t expensive, and can be a quick job for a mechanic or a do-it-yourselfer.
What does WHITE smoke from my exhaust mean?
White smoke can be nothing to be concerned about if it’s thin, like vapor. This is probably the result of normal condensation buildup inside the exhaust system. This kind of smoke disappears quickly.
However, thicker smoke is a big problem, and can be caused by the engine burning coolant. This can be the result of a serious issue like a blown head gasket, a damaged cylinder head, or a cracked engine block – all of which are costly repairs.
Don’t ignore it, however, as the problem could become far worse. Even a small leak in the coolant can lead to overheating and serious risk of damage to the engine. A coolant leak can also mix with oil and cause serious headaches for you and your car.
Any smoke coming from your car’s exhaust pipe is a sign that your car is in distress. Pay attention to what it needs to ensure more miles for your vehicle.
