Engine oil pan functions in automobile
The engine oil pan or engine oil sump is one part of an engine component positioned right at the bottom of the engine block cylinder. This oil pan is attached to the bottom of the cylinder block by adding a gasket (liquid or paper form) to prevent engine oil from leaking.
A general oil pan is made of a thick steel plate or partly made of aluminum. We often find engine oil drain bolts in this oil pan that we open and close when changing engine oil.
The primary function of the engine oil pan is to accommodate engine oil used to lubricate all engine components. However, the oil pan function is not only that. There are three important oil pan functions that we might need to know as an insight into the car engine. What are the three functions of this oil pan? Here are three functions of the oil pan on a car engine
1. Hold all used engine oil
The first function of the oil pan in a car engine and the most basic function as a car engine component is to hold all used engine oil. Therefore, this oil pan is often called an engine oil reservoir, oil sump, or some people call it an oil pan.
Generally, the oil pan in a car engine has a multilevel shape. The most concave part (in) will be a place for the oil strainer (oil filter), directly connected to the engine oil pump. The engine oil is entirely held in this lowered part of the oil pan.
The oil pump will circulate the engine oil from the oil pan to all the engine lubrication system channels through the oil filter and all components in the lubrication system.
After the engine oil circulates and lubricates the components in the engine, the engine oil will then fall and be collected back in the oil pan to be prepared to be recirculated.
2. A place to drain the engine oil
The second function of the oil pan in a car engine is a place to drain the engine oil. Generally, a tap bolt is installed in the oil pan, which removes engine oil from the oil pan.
As we all know, engine oil has a short service life (about 3000 to 6000 miles). When the engine oil is entering the working period, it will decrease quality. It also affects the performance of the lubrication system.
And to prevent damage to components in the engine, such as bearings, crankshaft, piston, and other friction components, we must carry out engine oil changes consistently.
Therefore, the engine oil tap bolt is installed to make it easy to replace the engine oil, which functions as a drain plug. This bolt can be opened and reinstalled using a gasket that we must replace every time we change an engine oil to prevent oil leakage.
Also read:- Car oil filter types and how do they works
- How to change oil filter spin-on type without draining oil
- Engine oil check in 4 easy steps
3. Maintain the smooth circulation of engine oil in various road surface conditions
The last function of the oil pan in a car engine is to maintain the smooth circulation of engine oil in various road surface conditions. Yes, the road surface on which the car passes is not always flat and straight.
There are times when the road through which this car has to go up, down, tilt right and left, or have a road tilt angle that is quite extreme so that it can affect the position and surface of the engine oil inside the oil pan.
Because engine oil is liquid, it will always flow to a lower place. In general, an engine oil pan has bulkheads that prevent engine oil from going to the lower place.
That way, the oil pan can maintain the smooth circulation of engine oil in various road surface conditions. The engine does not experience a lack of lubrication due to being on an incline or a road whose position makes the car tilted.