Heating oil in the engine: how to heat the oil in the pan
For many drivers during the winter operation of the car is well aware of the problem of cold starting the engine. Usually, the most difficult to start the engine in severe frosts. The ease of starting a cold engine is influenced by many factors, starting from the battery charge level or the condition of the spark plugs / incandescence and ending with the viscosity of the engine oil in the crankcase of the power unit.
As for the oil, very viscous lubricating fluid makes it very difficult to rotate the crankshaft, as a result, the starter is not able to spin the crankshaft to the desired frequency, the battery charge is quickly consumed and the car does not start.
It is also important to consider, that even if the engine started, but the oil is too thick, in the first seconds after starting the engine experiences oil starvation, as proper lubrication does not occur. As a result, there is accelerated wear of CNG, elements of timing belt and KShM.
To solve the problem, you can seasonally use expensive synthetic low-viscosity "winter" oils, however, this type of oil is not always suitable for a particular type of engine for a number of reasons. The main thing is a strong thinning of the oil after the engine reaches operating temperatures, leaks of oil seals and gaskets, reduced pressure in the lubrication system and increased wear of engine parts.
Another way is to preheat the crankcase before starting, to get rid of the strong increase in the viscosity of the lubricant in the cold engine. Let's look at this point in more detail.
Для чого необхідно підігрівати моторне масло в двигуні перед запуском
As already mentioned, In many cases, the engine does not start in winter not only because of a weak battery or poor quality fuel, but also as a result of a sharp increase in the viscosity of the oil at low temperatures.
Cold-viscous engine oil is not delivered to full loads in a timely manner, as a result there is a dry friction. In this case, it is difficult for the starter to turn the crankshaft, and the engine parts themselves wear out badly.
To facilitate start-up and reduce the wear rate of the unit, you can use solutions to heat the engine lubrication system. To be precise, such heating is designed to dilute the oil in the crankcase by increasing its temperature.
There are two ways to achieve the effect of heating the oil:
- warm up the crankcase from the outside;
- use the engine oil preheater;
The first method eliminates any modifications and changes in the design, as well as the need to install additional non-standard equipment. It is important to note, that for all its simplicity it is necessary to perform a certain set of manipulations.
If simple, the crankcase is often heated by a flame. The fire is open, so don't forget about the risks (ignition, melting of plastic car parts at the bottom, likelihood of getting burns, etc.).
The simplest method is a small fire under the car in the crankcase, also suitable blowtorch and other similar devices, which will allow you to heat the oil in the crankcase and start the unit.
Let's add, that also instead of fire it is possible to use also special electric equipment of removable type. If simple, solutions are comprehensive and usually aimed at preheating the engine as a whole, and not just the crankcase.
It's about tapes, in which heating elements are built in. Such devices usually work from the household mains. The disadvantages include the cost of products, the need to have a power supply at hand, as well as installation and subsequent dismantling of the heater after starting the engine.
- Now let's move on to the preheating oil heaters in the pan, which are built into the engine. Installation of such additional equipment allows to realize effective warming up of the engine without any difficult actions.
Many different devices are available today, which allow you to warm up the oil before starting a cold engine. Usually, despite the design differences of certain solutions from different manufacturers, they are based on the general principle of action:
- in the pallet of the crankcase of the internal combustion engine is placed ten (heating element);
- the device itself is powered by electricity;
The specified heating element must be installed as follows, to be constantly immersed in oil. If you don't, the service life of the element will be greatly reduced.
We also recommend reading the article about it, how the Webasto preheater works (Webasto) on a diesel or gasoline engine. In this article you will learn about the principles of operation and installation of liquid preheater of this type.
The next steps are simple. After, as there was a need to heat the oil in the engine before starting the engine, you need to supply electricity to the tan. The current can be alternating or constant (12 In or 220 V), depending on the specific product for heating and its features.
Then the heater raises the oil temperature, the oil is diluted, as a result, the process of starting the power unit is greatly facilitated and reduced wear. It is important to understand, that the simplest and most budget devices of this type do not allow you to control the heating temperature of the oil. This shortcoming can be considered very significant. In simple words, the oil in the crankcase may boil, which leads to the loss of its useful properties and other consequences.
More expensive solutions have a built-in thermostat (thermostat), which turns off the heating element after that, as the oil temperature reaches the required mark.
There are also devices for heating the oil in the engine, which do not have a thermostat, however, a special algorithm still avoids the risk of overheating of the lubricant in the crankcase.
Tips and tricks
Let's start with that, that in the case of using any of the above methods of heating the oil in the engine, it is imperative to follow safety precautions and carefully monitor the entire process.
We also recommend reading the article about it, how to choose and set the engine preheater. In this article you will learn about the features of the choice of preheating the engine, as well as possible nuances in the process of installing equipment.
If with an open fire and so everything is clear, then with embedded devices the situation is not so clear. First of all, do not rely on automation, that is, put the car on the heater and leave the vehicle unattended.
It is also important to carefully study all the technical documentation for the heating element, and also to carry out installation of the heater according to instructions. This approach will avoid unforeseen situations, and keep the filled engine oil in good condition (avoid boiling of the lubricant).
Finally, note, that in some cases in severe frosts it is better to put the car in a warm parking lot in advance, heated garage or box (on such an occasion), than to warm up oil in the engine by means of an open fire (example, blowtorch).
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