1

My question relates to the lubrication of cylinder walls and piston rings. It is my understanding that pistons in cars consists of 3 rings; two compression rings and the oil/scraper ring.

enter image description here

As far as I've read, the cylinder walls are only lubricated by the jet of oil coming out of the connecting rod holes, and any excess oil is primarily scraped off the walls by the oil ring (consisting of 2 small rings and a center bent shape ring - correct?)

If I'm correct on this, it seems intuitive to me that oil would never reach the compression rings as it is scraped by the oil ring sitting beneath it.

How is the compression ring then lubricated and kept from scoring the walls?

Improve this question
1
  • During deceleration when cylinders experience low vacuum conditions, some oil is sucked (pushed) past the oil scraper ring into the comp rings. Also as SM stated oil scrapers are not designed to scrape 100% of the oil.
    – Moab
    Commented Jun 11, 2018 at 12:30

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

The answer is that the scraper ring does not remove 100% of the oil, a VERY thin film is left on the surface which provides the lubrication necessary.

Some engines will score the walls, but others, on re-build need "glaze-busting" to remove the baked on layer of oil deposited over time.

Improve this answer
8
  • I see. How is this a reliable method of lubrication considering the vast variety of operating conditions an engine will be put through? E.g bad oil, extreme cold metal temperatures during winter and fierce combustion temperatures. Just how bad is it that the ring would breach the film and score the wall, and how frequent does this happen?
    – Erik
    Commented Jun 11, 2018 at 12:12
  • Depends on the quality of oil how well it protects the engine under all conditions.
    – Moab
    Commented Jun 11, 2018 at 12:31
  • @SolarMike what is your opinion on this? Do you have more in-depth knowledge of my previous comment?
    – Erik
    Commented Jun 11, 2018 at 15:52
  • Given the number of engines around the world that rely on this method of lubrication and that it is not the most common source of failure of an engine then I my answer still stands...
    – Solar Mike
    Commented Jun 11, 2018 at 17:27
  • 1
    Engines and useful documentation existed WAY before the internet... books are still useful...
    – Solar Mike
    Commented Jun 11, 2018 at 17:49
1

there are several ways that rings are lubricated for example in a two stroke its done by means of petrol /oil mix in certain 4 stroke engines you will find a jet which sprays oil onto the bore and skirt of piston and as stated the oil scraper rings do not remove all oil also the cross hatch in the cyl holds a degree of oil which provides some lubrication

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .