LUBRICATION SYSTEMS

Shannon News, 5 October 1928, Page 4

LUBRICATION SYSTEMS

RECENT IMPROVEMENTS. Among improvements which have been effected in motor vehicles which will be particularly appreciated by car owners is reducing the trouble and expense of maintenance by extending tne life of the lubricating oil anci tncreioro obviating the necessity for changing it so frequently. -Only a few years ago it was impressed upon the purchaser of even the highest grade car that it was essential to change the oil about every 1000 miles, while many found that it was advisable to do so at-even more frequent intervals, and instances were not uncommon of motorists who made a point of doing so at every 500 miles if possible. To-day there arc cars on which this duty only occurs about every three months or, even when the car is used constantly, and averages 10,000 or more miles a year on the road, about every 3000 miles. This improvement has been effected by the adoption of either special oil filters, or by the removal of contamination by dilution. The latter important reform is effected in many cars by the adoption of a system of crank case ventilation, which is claimed positively to remove water from the lubricating oil, while it also prevents the heavy residues from fuel from affecting the oil to anything like the extent it formerly succeeded in doing, and thus lessening the efficiency of the lubricant. The ventilator operates on the ejector principle. Air blown by the fan passes through a funnel and past an opening in the oil filler tube. This causes a suction which draws the vapours from the crankcase and ejects them through a pipe below the engine. The rear breather acts as a vent to the crankcase, and is provided with a screen which prevents particles of dust from entering the crank-case.

The removal of water from the .lubricating oil in very cold climates confers an added benefit in that it ensures the oil line or oil pump from freezing in winter, and thus causing burnt-out bearings or scored pistons and flanges. A crankcase ventilator in conjunction with a petrol filter, oil filter, and air cleaner, all of which are fitted to several makes of cars, will keep the oil in such condition that it is only necessary to change the oil in the crankcase four times a year, it is claimed. The oil filter, as distinct from the ventilator which prevents dilution from occurring or reduces it to a minimum, removes all foreign matter from the oil and keeps it clean by constant filtration This prevents undue wear on the bearing surfaces, while it also materially assists in reducing the number of changes of the lubricant, which would otherwise be necessary. As this oil is pumped forcibly to every bearing, both main and connecting rod, tho valve mechanism, and the bearing of the torsional balancer, it will be appreciated that it is important that it should be fresh and clean at all times. The cylinder walls, pistons, gudgeon pins, and camshaft bearings are lubricated by a mist thrown from tho ends of the connecting rod aud crankshaft bearings and through a small hole drilled in tho upper half of each connecting rod bearing. Overflow from the rocker armshaft lubricates the timing gears, camshaft bearing, and the front bearing si generator shai't. An instance of the economy of purifying the oil may be taken from the case of a, medium-powered six-cylinder car covering 10,000 miles a year with oil changes every 500 miles. This would require 40 gallons. The fitting of an oil-filter reduces the consumption to eight gallons.