How Does An Automobile Engine’S Oil Flow?

The oil circulates through an engine, starting and ending its journey in the oil sump at the bottom of the car. It works to lubricate the moving parts in the engine, keeping it moving smoothly and reducing friction, fuel consumption, wear, and tear. The oil is driven by the crankshaft and flows through oil holes drilled in the crankshaft, rod bearings, and an oil line to the cylinder head. The oil filler port is located at the top of the engine, where oil is usually added. After adding, the oil passes down to the engine’s bottom.

The oil is used to protect the engine from friction, wear, and heat, and it is important to choose an engine oil that is suitable for your needs. The oil is cooled by external air that travels over the surface of the sump before being re-used. The types, grades, and additives of oil affect engine performance, and the oil flows back down channels in the head and motor block to the sump.

A positive displacement pump, typically a gear type, is driven by the crankshaft and delivers oil from the sump through a filter to all points in the engine needing lubrication. Gear pumps use two meshed gears to create a flow of oil, while rotor pumps have a set of spinning rotors to generate oil flow. A vehicle’s lubrication system is responsible for circulating motor oil to the engine’s various moving parts, including pistons, bearings, valvetrain, and timing.

Oil that gets pumped directly to the main bearings and rod big end bearings then gets flung out of the bearings goes back in the pan in a very few seconds.