Types of Lubrications!

You surely know something about your car’s lubrication system, but do you know that there is more than one mechanism for lubrication of the engine. If you are still unfamiliar to the term lubrication, well, it is a method in which oil (Viscous liquid Fluid) is applied to engine parts for more than just one benefit. Let’s learn more about them.

Lubricants not only prevent the parts from wear and tear but they also increase the efficiency of the engine by reducing the friction and increasing a smooth motion. Moreover, they prevent your engine from heating up too much also, it’s not the coolant alone which keeps your car off anger but the lubricant to gives a hand here. But, we don’t end here, lubricants also pick up small impurities which may cause engine parts to oxidize, knock engine off or cause a blowby. So, now you understand the value of changing your car’s oil from time to time. Don’t get late next time.

But wait… there are different types of lubricants used in different mechanisms. Which one is for your car? Further are types of lubricating mechanisms found commonly in gasoline engines.

Types of mechanisms of Lubrication:

There are 3 systems for lubrication in gasoline engines which are:
Mist Lubrication System
Wet Sump Lubricating System
Dry Sump Lubricating System

Let’s discuss them in brief:
Mist Lubrication System – Mist lubrication system is designed for 2-stroke vehicles in which no special oil pan is used nor the crank case is used for this. The lubricating oil is introduced by adding it directly to the fuel (2%-6% of oil) in the fuel tank. With the combustion in the combustion chamber, the oil gets in vapor form and forms a mist around engine parts. Pros – Cheap and simple to use. No complications, no filter required. Cons – The flow is not controlled and engine lacks oil many times until fuel enters, also forms deposits around piston rings and exhaust too.

Wet Sump Lubrication System – In Wet Sump lubrication system, there is a special oil pan attached in crank case which stores the lubricating oil. The oil with the help of oil pump reaches the destination and with the help of gravity comes back to oil pan again for reuse. Wet Sump lubrication system is further classified into 3 types which are in another interesting article. The oil here needs to get changed from time to time and filters are used to prevent any impurities to get into the engine. Pros – Is used in most light vehicles and flow is controlled too. Cons – Expensive than Mist Lubrication.

Dry Sump Lubrication System – Lubricating oil used in oil sump lubrication is the oil made for truck guys and many NASCAR drivers too. It is a heavy duty lubrication system where oil is supplied from external tank to the fuel tank with the help of scavenging pump. Filters are used before the oil enters into the engine. The oil pressure remains between 3-8 bars. Pros – Is used in high-temperature conditions and high pressure. Cons – Can’t be used common light vehicles as it may cause ignition problems and knocking too.

Heavy Duty Vehicles using Dry Sump Lubrication