Crankcase protection: what to look for when choosing
Protecting the crankcase under certain conditions is a must for cars, SUVs, commercial vehicles and other types of vehicles. The presence of such protection is highly desirable regardless, the car is operated in the conditions of partial impassability or moves on asphalt public roads. Given the poor condition of the road surface in the CIS, such protection becomes an integral part of almost any car.
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What is needed to protect the crankcase
Note, that crankcase protection is often not included in the base of the car. Many entry-level models may not install any protection at all. Middle-class cars and above usually have something similar, however, on closer examination, such an element is an ordinary mud and water-repellent shield, which is made of plastic and simply not designed for serious blows.
At the same time on any road you can please in a deep pit, hit a large rock or hit an object, moreover, on poor pavement or off-road risks of puncturing the engine pan increase many times. Given the above answer to the question, whether crankcase protection is required, becomes obvious. Next we will discuss, how to choose the right crankcase protection for the car, from which materials it is better to choose protection and what requirements are put forward to this element.
Let's start with that, that the crankcase is quite low. The pallet itself is made of materials, which are not able to withstand severe mechanical loads, that is it can be punched even by a big stone or edge of asphalt on a cut at hit in a deep hole. A break or crack in the crankcase pan causes this, that the engine oil is starting to leak.
As a result, not every driver has time to notice a drop in pressure / oil level and stop driving. The result is oil starvation of the engine or oil-free operation with all the ensuing consequences. Another node, which can also be damaged on many cars, there is a checkpoint. The reason is the rather low location of this unit in the hood space on most models, especially on cars with a transversely mounted engine. To save an expensive unit, it is necessary to put protection of the pallet of a crankcase of an engine and a transmission.
How to choose the protection of the crankcase: main characteristics
To understand, what the crankcase protection looks like and what it is, it is enough to imagine a wide sheet of rectangular shape, which partially closes the engine compartment from below. A number of certain criteria should be considered when choosing protection. Installing the crankcase protection provides that, that the specified element absorbs most of the impact energy, redistributing the remains to the car body or frame on cars with a structure of this type. For this reason, the protection is attached to the strongest parts of the vehicle body, For this reason, the protection is attached to the strongest parts of the vehicle body. For this reason, the protection is attached to the strongest parts of the vehicle body.
- For this reason, the protection is attached to the strongest parts of the vehicle body, For this reason, the protection is attached to the strongest parts of the vehicle body, For this reason, the protection is attached to the strongest parts of the vehicle body. The point is, For this reason, the protection is attached to the strongest parts of the vehicle body. pay attention, For this reason, the protection is attached to the strongest parts of the vehicle body ??For this reason, the protection is attached to the strongest parts of the vehicle body, usually, For this reason, the protection is attached to the strongest parts of the vehicle body, For this reason, the protection is attached to the strongest parts of the vehicle body. Thanks to such ribs the risk of serious deformation of a protective board after blows essentially decreases. The strength is also affected by the number of technological holes. The fewer of them, the better. As practice shows, for most service or repair work, the motor protection still has to be removed.
- Also note, that there must be a space between the protection and the crankcase, that is, the shield should not be close to the pallet. This space allows the protection to deform without damaging the engine itself, and also reduces the risk of losing the engine or individual elements under the hood due to insufficient ventilation. In parallel, the specified gap between the shield and the power unit should not be too large, as its increase leads to a decrease in ground clearance in the front of the car. In case of incorrect selection, driving a car with a shield, which has a large deformation lumen, will be very difficult even on relatively small irregularities.
Also when choosing should take into account the weight and shape of the protective shield. These parameters directly affect the safety and controllability of the car during the subsequent operation of the vehicle after the installation of protection. Heavy protection will mean that, that the load on the running gear increases, in some cases, even suffers from controllability, etc.. The cover letter also cannot be too light, as strength and rigidity will not be enough. The following are the most appropriate offers available, which is invested by weight in the framework of 8 to 14 kg. - As for the form, the main criterion is that, that the protection must have a characteristic slope. This tilt allows the motor to go down calmly in that case, if there is a head-on collision of the car. In other words, the protective shield must not prevent the engine from shifting during a collision so, as intended by the automaker to protect the front seats.
What material is the crankcase protection made of?
Crankcase protection can be made ??from different materials. Steel is used for production, titanium, aluminum, fiberglass, etc.. Each of these materials has its advantages, and cons. Next we will try to understand, which crankcase protection is better for one reason or another
- The most popular and widespread is deservedly steel protection of the crankcase. The point is, that the crankcase metal protection is a good combination of strength and affordable price. This solution allows you to reliably protect the crankcase and gearbox from serious impact due to the steel sheet thickness of 2 to 3 mm. In the first case, two millimeters is more than enough for a normal civilian car. Reinforced 3 mm. put the sheet on the SUV, which are often operated in conditions of total off-road. Another advantage is that, that after impact the bent steel protection can be restored. Shield 2 mm. restored in a normal garage with a sledgehammer. With a thick shield thick 3 mm. the situation is a little more complicated, but it can always be leveled for a modest fee. As for the cons, the steel protection itself usually has poor coverage, constantly in contact with water, dirt and reagents, resulting in corrosion. In a few years, rust literally "eats" certain areas, which include fasteners, as well as the edges of technological openings.
- Note, that a worthy alternative is considered to be stainless steel protection. The basic characteristics of strength and rigidity are similar to metal solutions, while resistance to corrosion is much higher. Also, the stainless steel shield looks more solid, which is especially important on those cars, where protection is clearly visible from the outside (example, SUVs). The disadvantage is the higher cost of the product.
- Aluminum crankcase protection perfectly copes with its functions, as it has a lower tendency to deformation due to the strength and rigidity of the material. Aluminum also allows to increase safety during operation of the vehicle. The point is, that in contact with various objects at the time of impact there is no sparking, what cannot be said about steel. It turns out, the risk of fire in the hood space is virtually absent for this reason. Another advantage is less weight, as well as a fairly long service life. The disadvantages of aluminum shield include high cost. As for the appearance, aluminum oxidizes over time, the appearance of the product deteriorates. Also in places of fastening fermentation of bolts from contact with aluminum can occur, which complicates in some cases the removal of protection.
Let's add, that the above disadvantages are devoid of ??titanium crankcase protection. This material is very strong, has a small weight, has resistance to oxidation and corrosion. The disadvantage of titanium protection compared to other solutions is the extremely high cost of such a shield. - Relatively fresh development on the market is composite protection of the crankcase. This shield is made of composite materials, example, carbon fiber or carbon, fiberglass, Kevlar, etc.. The advantages include light weight and sufficient strength, appearance does not deteriorate so quickly from contact with the environment and road reagents. In other words, if installed on the machine ??decorative plastic crankcase protection, then the composite version is a possible replacement without compromising the appearance of the car. The main disadvantages of composite panels can be considered, that such protection is expensive, is actually "disposable" and has poor thermal conductivity. Strong blows lead to cracks, which are not repaired. Deteriorated heat dissipation of composite materials can even lead to engine overheating. Also, the appearance deteriorates rapidly as a result of numerous small chips on the protection, inevitably appear during active operation of the car.
Features of installation of protection of crankcase and the subsequent operation
Available today ??a large number of products, which are model, that is, originally designed for installation on a specific car model. Installing such protection does not pose any problems. However, it is not always possible to find a ready-made solution for a particular vehicle. In such cases, you should buy the most appropriate option, which will require further refinement.
Usually all manipulations on installation of non-standard protection of crankcase are reduced to that, that holes are drilled in the sheet or the necessary fasteners are added by welding. In the first case, the protection is simply bolted to the body. The task becomes more complicated then, when the fastener provides for the presence of special brackets. These fasteners have to be digested, make your own, etc.. Also keep in mind during the installation process, that in places of fastening there should be special dampers. On most boards, these are ordinary rubber gaskets. If the manufacturer does not complete his product with such gaskets, they must be purchased separately.
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As for operation, especially for steel products, many drivers are interested, than to paint protection of a crankcase and what to do, if the motor protection knocks. The cause of knocks when driving on bumps is often the destruction of the gasket-damper, its deformation or complete absence.
It is worth considering, that problems with the damping element can lead to weakening of fastening bolts. As a result, a gap is formed, which causes a knock on the engine protection. Moreover, it is not recommended to ride with such a roar, as the bolts may unscrew, protection will simply disappear on the go, and the consequences can be anything. For this reason it is necessary to monitor the condition of fasteners and dampers at each MOT, remove rust in places of protection fastening, check the reliability of the mount after installation, etc..
Now about the painting. As practice shows, it is optimal to paint ICE protection with powder polymer paint. The same paint can be treated and wheels. In order to save money, it is also common practice, when a special decorative stainless steel overlay is attached to the steel protection. This approach allows you to achieve an acceptable appearance. With that in mind, that the protection is heated, some drivers also use matte heat-resistant paint on metal sheets. This paint is used for painting exhaust systems.
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