Knowing about engine oil function is very important and necessary to prolong your machine service life. This article mainly talks about Cummins diesel generator engine oil function. If you are using Cummins power equipment, this post will be helpful.
Lubrication
The primary function of the engine oil is to lubricate moving
parts. The oil forms a hydrodynamic film between metal surfaces, preventing
metal-to-metal contact and reducing friction. When the oil film is not
sufficient to prevent metal-to-metal contact, the following occurs:
● Heat is
generated through friction
● Local
welding occurs
● Metal
transfer results in scuffing or seizing.
Extreme Pressure Wear Control
Modern lubricants contain Extreme Pressure (EP) anti-wear
additives. These additives form a chemically bonded molecular film on the metal
surfaces at high pressures to prevent direct contact and wear when the load on
the parts is high enough to eliminate the hydrodynamic oil film.
Cleaning
Oil acts as a cleaning agent in the engine by flushing
contaminants from critical components. Sludge, varnish, and oxidation buildup
on the pistons, rings, valve stems, and seals will lead to severe engine damage
if not controlled by the oil. Oil formulated with the optimal additives will
hold these contaminants in suspension until they are removed by the oil
filtration system or during the course of an oil change.
Protection
ail provides a protective barrier, isolating non-like metals to
prevent corrosion. Corrosion, like wear, results in the removal of metal from
engine parts. Corrosion works like a slow acting wear mechanism.
Cooling
Engines require the cooling of internal components that the
primary cooling system can not provide. The lubricating oil provides an
excellent heat transfer medium. Heat is transferred to the oil through contact
with various components, which is then transferred to the primary cooling
system at the oil cooler.
Sealing
Oil acts as a combustion seal filling the uneven surfaces of the
cylinder liner, piston, valve stem, and other internal engine components.
Shock-Damping
The oil film between contacting surfaces provides cushioning and
shock-damping. The
damping effect is essential to highly loaded areas such as the
bearings, pistons, connecting rods, and the gear train.
Hydraulic Action
Oil acts as a working hydraulic media within the engine. Examples
of this are the use of o
to operate engine brakes and STC injector tappets.
Oil Additives
Lubricating oil is formulated with additives designed to combat
specific contaminants (listed in Section 6) throughout its usable life. The
additives used are more important to.overall engine performance than the oil
itself. Without additives, even the highest quality oil will not be able to
satisfy engine requirements. Additives include:
1. Detergents or dispersants, which keep insoluble matter in
suspension changed, These suspended materials are not removed by the oil
filtration system. Excessively long oil drain intervals result in deposit
formation in the engine.
2. Inhibitors that maintain the stability of the oil, prevent
acids from attacking and prevent rust formation when the engine is not in
operation.
3. Other lubricating oil additives assist the oil in lubricating
highly loaded areas of the engine (such as valves and the injector train),
prevent scuffing and seizing, control foaming, and prevent air retention in the
oil.
Electrical power unit engine oil must be formulated in such a manner that it does not
foam as a result of the mechanical agitation process associated with its many
functions. Foamed oil results in engine damage similar to oil starvation,
because of insufficient oil film protection.
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