ENGINE LUBRICATION PROBLEMS

In any case, heavily sludged oil will finally clog the engine’s oil pump pickup screen, oil filter and oil galleries. The preliminary signs of oil starvation are engines that become noisy in the work of chilled start-up and oil pressure gauges that rise slowly. Broken timing belts are also symptomatic of oil starvation on overhead camshafts. Because the destroy usually includes the crankshaft and piston assemblies, don’t be keen to quote a cylinder head replacement as the cure for a seized camshaft.

All too often, the detergents contained in fresh oil will accelerate the clogging of oil pump screens and oil filters by loosening accumulated sludge. Volumes of engine sludge and dirty engine oil also easily clog today’s compact oil filters. If the oil filter bypass valve opens during cold starts, more sludge and dirt will pass into the engine bearings and reciprocating parts. In addition, engine life is drastically shortened when operated at extreme loads and temperatures with badly degraded engine oil.

The problem with any heavily sludged engine is that internal repairs tend to dislodge even more sludge into the oil stream. Because attempting to clean an engine in-chassis is both expensive and risky, you can best address the situation by replacing or rebuilding the engine.

VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ENGINES
Most modern engines are very susceptible to lubrication problems because they are equipped with variable valve timing (VVT). A pulse-modulated control valve that meters oil pressure to a hydraulic piston or vane-type camshaft timing phaser controls the amount of advance or retard. A separate valve-timing sensor is used to monitor VVT position.

Quite clearly, the phaser must react to small changes in oil pressure. Since sludge can interfere with the smooth modulation of the oil pressure contained inside the cam phaser, the result can be poor engine performance at specific engine speeds and loads. In many cases, a DTC will be stored that indicates a problem in the VVT system.

DO THE MATH
Since oil prices have climbed dramatically the past few years, customers are becoming more price-sensitive. But it’s also important to understand that, to remain profitable, a shop’s pricing structure for modern vehicle oil change and inspection intervals must be realistic.

In addition, you’re doing a disservice to your import customers if you’re exclusively selling low-cost generic engine oils and budget-priced oil filters to meet price-sensitive competition.

OE-specification oils and filters often become the cheaper (and wiser) choice when weighed against an expensive engine replacement. In case you do the math, it will become clear to you and your customer that using the correct engine oil & filter is the less expensive and far more prudent choice.

tags: engine lubricating system cleaner, engine cleaner
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