A Look at the Components in an Engine Lubrication System for Students in Car Mechanic Training
Whether you’ve worked on cars your entire life or are interested in learning a bit more about the way they work, you likely already know that vehicles need to have their oil changed quite frequently. While most people are aware that cars need oil to operate, many individuals don’t have any idea of what’s actually going on behind the scenes in a car’s lubrication system. If you’re interested in becoming an auto mechanic, you’ll soon learn that the lubrication system is essential for keeping cars both fuel efficient and functioning properly.
Do you want to enroll in an auto mechanic program? Read on to learn about the components of engine lubrication systems!
Students in Auto Training School Know the Oil Pan Stores the Oil
The whole lubrication system starts with the oil pan, which is where the oil is stored before and after it’s used. Oil pans are also commonly referred to as sumps. There are two types of sumps that students in car mechanic training should be aware of. The first and most common type is a wet sump. Wet sumps are located at the bottom of the engine, and are fairly easy and inexpensive to both repair and manufacture. Dry sumps, on the other hand, are located anywhere but the bottom of an engine. Dry sumps are commonly found in low-ride cars, because not having the sump at the bottom of the engine allows the car to sit lower to the ground while also lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity.
The Pickup Tube and Oil Pump Connect the Oil Pan to the Engine
When a driver turns the key in a car’s ignition and starts the vehicle, oil needs to be delivered to the engine immediately to lubricate the moving parts and prevent a malfunction. This is where the pickup tube and oil pump come into play. As soon as the car is started, the oil pump activates and begins pressurizing the oil. As the oil pressurizes, it will begin to move up the pickup tube towards the engine.
The Oil Filters Are Essential in Keeping the Engine Running Smoothly
Once the oil is sufficiently pressurized, it will move towards the engine and pass through the oil filters. Oil filters are an extremely important part of the lubrication system, because they keep the oil clean and contaminant free. If dirty oil enters the engine, it won’t function as efficiently and it could cause damage. Therefore, maintaining clean oil filters is essential. Once the oil passes through the filters, it enters the engine.
Students in Auto Training School Know the Purpose of Oil Galleries and Spurt Holes
In order to ensure that the oil is dispersed evenly throughout the entire engine, oil galleries and spurt holes help redirect the flow of oil. As you may learn during auto training school, spurt holes are small holes or passageways in the engine that allow the oil to pass through different areas and lubricate important parts of the engine like the camshaft bearings and cylinders.
The Pressure Relief Valve Is an Important Part of Any Lubrication System
As a vehicle is driven under different conditions, its engine’s demands for oil will change. The pressure relief valve can sense how much pressure the oil is under within the pickup tube. When the pressure becomes too much or the vehicle requires additional or less oil, the valve will adjust the pressure to provide an optimal amount of oil to the engine.
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