where did the oil go?
hey all, We just returned from our first TT trip from NC to Key West. It is about 900 miles one way. F150 4,6l v8 4x4 with towing pkg. Towing a aerolite 718fd, 3050 dry wght. My question is is i...
Forum Discussion
Here are some things that actually happen inside of any ICE (internal combustion
engine) to noodle as to 'why'....
As posted before, engine oil is to *LUBRICATE* parts that slide/roll/etc on each
other. There *HAS* to be a film of lube in order for any ICE to last any length of time
So the piston rings on cylinder must not go metal to metal, so there is a film
of engine oil left on there after the piston oil rings wipe it...by design the
amount is engineered. That amount may vary from OEM to OEM, from engine design
to engine design with in the same OEM...etc
Then the viscosity of the engine oil. If too thin, it will sneak past the piston
oil rings 'wipe' to allow more oil on the cylinder walls...to be burned off.
Meaning more oil than 'normal' will be burned off via the cylinder wall lube
process
Now something 'new' and has to do with 'misting' of engine oil inside any ICE
Along with that 'misting' is the crank case ventilation system, now married with
EPA/DOT mandated 'control' of the crank case 'stuff'
Meaning the mist can be, to is, drawn into the SMOG system to be digested by
the ICE's combustion chamber.
Part of that misting is 'windage' and that is the 'wind' coming off of the crank
and rods....that creates 'waves' in there of oil. Over fill and the bottom stroke
of the crank/rods will add to that and is 'splashing' of the oil (not a good
thing, both robs power and can damage things)
That 'digesting' of the 'mist' consumes engine oil.
Both of the above venues of engine oil consumption varies in rates of ingestion
That variable rate increases when the engine oil's film strength starts to
degrade. From age, from lost additive package function, from too high heat,
from spinning to high (engine rev's) and a host more
Why when the OP checked it during one stop...he noticed a drop in level. He
also said worked it hard, IIRC
That fits all of the above
engine) to noodle as to 'why'....
As posted before, engine oil is to *LUBRICATE* parts that slide/roll/etc on each
other. There *HAS* to be a film of lube in order for any ICE to last any length of time
So the piston rings on cylinder must not go metal to metal, so there is a film
of engine oil left on there after the piston oil rings wipe it...by design the
amount is engineered. That amount may vary from OEM to OEM, from engine design
to engine design with in the same OEM...etc
Then the viscosity of the engine oil. If too thin, it will sneak past the piston
oil rings 'wipe' to allow more oil on the cylinder walls...to be burned off.
Meaning more oil than 'normal' will be burned off via the cylinder wall lube
process
Now something 'new' and has to do with 'misting' of engine oil inside any ICE
Along with that 'misting' is the crank case ventilation system, now married with
EPA/DOT mandated 'control' of the crank case 'stuff'
Meaning the mist can be, to is, drawn into the SMOG system to be digested by
the ICE's combustion chamber.
Part of that misting is 'windage' and that is the 'wind' coming off of the crank
and rods....that creates 'waves' in there of oil. Over fill and the bottom stroke
of the crank/rods will add to that and is 'splashing' of the oil (not a good
thing, both robs power and can damage things)
That 'digesting' of the 'mist' consumes engine oil.
Both of the above venues of engine oil consumption varies in rates of ingestion
That variable rate increases when the engine oil's film strength starts to
degrade. From age, from lost additive package function, from too high heat,
from spinning to high (engine rev's) and a host more
Why when the OP checked it during one stop...he noticed a drop in level. He
also said worked it hard, IIRC
That fits all of the above