By Richard
Kranz
People regularly have
blood transfusions! Why do people have blood transfusions? The people who have blood transfusions are
those people who usually suffer from an illness that does not repair the blood
or replenish various parts of the blood naturally.
The oil in an internal
combustion engine such as a diesel engine, petrol engine or LPG fuelled engine
is the life blood of your engine. The oil circulates throughout the engine
providing lubrication to bearings, turbo charges, rings and the like and to a
lesser extent cooling in some engines. When the oil is in poor condition
containing contaminants such as water, excessive carbon deposits, acidic
products among other nasties, then rapid wear and tear on the engine occurs and
also the engine is not working to its desired level of efficiency.
In simple terms oil
changes are absolutely necessary because the oil in an engine does not repair
itself automatically or naturally like it does with many human beings. Oil
changes need to be carried out on a regular basis. Generally oil changes are
required on a time basis, such as every three months or six months or on usage
of the engine, such as hours or kilometres travelled.
When the oil exceeds its
shelf life, then it begins to deteriorate, thus not allowing the various parts
of the engine to be adequately lubricated. The most important aspects are
lubrication of the bearings in engines and when the oil has deteriorated it is
no longer capable of providing adequate lubrication. Oil additives included
with most oils are designed to protect the engine against corrosion, oxidation
and wear and tear, so new oil protects the engine much better than old oil. Old
oil that has gone past its shelf life starts to break down and also includes
contaminants such as soot and carbon.
The oil starts to produce acidic products that cause damage to metal
components within the engine. The viscosity of the oil also starts to
deteriorate, thus meaning the oil no longer has lubricating qualities.
Manufacturers of engines
in their guidelines to engine operation always have instructions regarding
engine oil and engine oil filter replacement.
The engine oil that
circulates throughout the various galleries of the engine passes through an
engine oil filter. The engine oil filter is designed to capture many of the
contaminants and unwanted products within the oil. After a given period of time
the engine oil filter becomes clogged with the contaminants and the engine oil
filter also needs to be replaced.
When changing the engine
oil it is important to ensure that no oil is spilt and that the oil is disposed
of correctly. The oil should never be thrown away in the rubbish bin, poured
down a drain or thrown onto the ground. The oil should be captured and then
returned to a suitable recycling facility. Oil is able to be recycled thus we
are all looking after the environment by disposing of it correctly.
It is important to select
the correct engine oil. Diesel engines require a different oil to a petrol
engine. Often different oils are used in summer and winter. Because ambient
temperatures are higher in summer it may be prudent to have a thicker oil to
cope with high summer temperatures and conversely during winter it may be more
expedient to have thinner oil so that the cold temperatures do not reduce the
properties of the oil thus the oil becoming too thick.
Manufacturers’ guidelines
need to be checked to ensure that the correct oil is used in terms of viscosity
and performance characteristics. One also needs to ensure the oil is added to the
correct level. Oil should never be filled up too high or too low. If the oil is
too high in a sump then there is a danger that the crankshaft could touch the
top of the oil surface, thus causing extensive damage to the engine and
conversely if the oil level is too low, then insufficient oil circulates in the
engine, this causing insufficient lubrication.
When doing oil changes it
may also be necessary to use flushing oil that is poured into the engine once
the old oil is removed. The engine is run for a certain period of time, as
recommended by the manufacturer of the flushing oil. The flushing oil allows
almost all the oil in the engine to be removed. The flushing oil then removed
and this way most of the oil that was originally in the engine is removed.
New oil of the desired
viscosity, and performance characteristics then needs to be added to the
engine. When the oil level is at the correct mark then no further oil needs to
be added. A certain period of time needs to be allowed so that all the oil is able
to drain down to the sump. When the oil has drained to the sump and one can
discern on the dipstick that the oil level is correct, then the engine can be
started. The pressure gauge needs to be checked followed by a check of any
leaks around the engine.
Do your oil changes
regularly and replace the filter regularly and you will get maximum life out of
the engine.
This brings us to the insurance implications. Most insurance policies
will not cover breakdown of internal combustion engines, however machinery
breakdown policies may be selected by the owner of equipment and if the owner
of equipment selects to have such a policy the underwriter needs to be certain
that correct maintenance is undertaken. Good maintenance relates to fewer
breakdowns, thus fewer claims.
Many insurance policies,
specifically machinery breakdown policies will not cover the aspect that has
deteriorated due to wear and tear/corrosion and general degradation. The policy
covers the consequences of wear and tear/corrosion and gradual deterioration.
In other words a 50 cent bolt may break, this causing extensive damage to the
engine. The 50 cent bolt is not covered, however the resultant damages that the
breaking of the bolt causes is covered under the policy. The consequences are
very severe and expensive.
From a policy view point
the oil that has deteriorated is not covered, however the consequences of the
poor quality oil causing damage are high and this aspect may be covered under
the policy, unless of course it can be shown the damage was due to continued
wear and tear.
Before insuring internal combustion engines and other systems that use
oil for lubrication such as compressors, steam turbines, gas turbines and
hydraulic systems, it is prudent to make enquiries regarding maintenance
undertaken
and also ask for tax invoices and evidence that the maintenance has been
carried out.
Just remember good
maintenance results in fewer breakdowns, less downtime and fewer insurance
claims.
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