Engine crankcase: repair

The entire bottom part of the engine block is called the carter. The engine crankcase is a removable element molded from sheet metal or cast from aluminum. The part is the bottom of the motor.

Design and purpose

The main function of the pallet for modern models of power units is the accumulation and storage of oil, which drains from the motor parts. Also, as already noted, the engine oil sump protects the internal components from the aggressive influence of the environment. Still at the bottom of the pallet metal particles are collected, which are formed due to the wear of the friction parts. In addition to these tasks, the part helps cool engine oils and protects the lubricant from splashing.

Most often, this part is produced by stamping, and soft and elastic grades of steel are suitable as materials. Such material was not chosen by chance - the finished part will not burst, but only deforms. The pallet is made in the form of a shallow bath. In its upper part there is a plane with fixing holes. Depending on the type of power unit and the level of its manufacturability, the engine oil sump can have another, more often more complex shape. This is done in order to avoid contact with transmission or suspension parts as much as possible.

If the motor is forced, then the tray must be made of aluminum alloys. In such details, ribs that help cool the oil are necessarily realized. When replacing the lubricant to drain the waste product, many cars have a stopper. The engine oil pan has a drainage hole with a thread - if the plug is unscrewed, it is possible to conveniently drain the waste grease. However, the main function of this part is not the protection of the crank-piston group and the crankshaft, but the accumulation and storage of lubricant. And at the bottom of the pallet container, the chips are formed, which is formed due to the wear of friction pairs. It is so small that it passes freely through the oil filter, and the pallet serves as a passive filter in this case.

Typical breakdowns

This part is so simple that you have to try hard to disable it. The only thing that can happen is damage due to collision on various obstacles. In this case, the reinforcement, stone, sudden stump can simply deform or break through the element. Most often, repair of the engine oil sump is necessary for cars with front-wheel drive and longitudinal or transverse motor layout.

What happens if you do not repair or change the pallet?

So, if the element is damaged, then this will unambiguously affect the operation of the power unit. Let's consider some damages. If there was a deep deformation of one of the planes without a hole on the motor with the oil receiver, and the pallet itself is made of aluminum alloy or plastic, then in this situation there is a risk that the oil receiving tube will be above the level of the lubricating fluid. Often with such damage, these parts do not break at all.

If the oil does not leak, but the deformation is sufficiently deep, you need to top up the proper amount of oil and try starting the engine. In the case of minor deformations and lack of breakdown, the oil receiving device may not break off, but the gap between the tube and the bottom of the pallet will greatly decrease - this may be enough for the engine to operate under low loads. It is important to consider that if the pallet is damaged, at any moment the engine can feel "oil starvation" with sudden accelerations and increased revolutions. All this is not the best way to affect all the nodes. The most common effects of oil starvation - the seizure of the upper connecting rod, which entails jamming the entire engine. Also, the liner can crash during operation. In extreme cases, the crank will break, which will damage the cylinder block.

How to repair a crankcase

If the engine oil sump is punctured, the first thing to do immediately is to muffle the engine. If this is not done, then due to a rapid decrease in the level of the lubricating fluid, its supply to the responsible nodes will stop and oil starvation will begin.

The repair of the pallet is not complicated, especially if the latter is made of steel. Such details are dismantled and, with the help of a hammer, a dent is straightened. If the part has got a hole, it can be welded or sealed by cold welding. Aluminum pallets are restored by welding in an argon medium - this is an inexpensive and effective way to restore this element.

Crankcase oil change

The whole procedure consists of two parts: dismantling of the damaged part and installation of a new one. First, remove the negative terminal from the battery, then dismantle the air intake. Then the motor protection is removed . The oil must be drained in a suitable container. Then, the bolts for securing the front support of the power unit are loosened, the stabilizer is removed, the grease level sensor is disconnected. Then the oil pressure switch connector is disconnected . On the auto with automatic transmission, oil lines are also disconnected from the pallet. Then the stabilizer is removed and the engine rises. Then, the springs of the front suspension system are removed. The front axle is raised by a winch, the plastic covers are turned away. After this operation, the front axle mounting elements are loosened, and this part is lowered. Now you can unscrew the pallet, slide it forward and lower it. After installing a new element, the gasket is replaced. It is important to use a sealant for the engine oil pan during installation. It will allow you to get a more dense connection, and after the replacement will not leak oil.

How to protect the sump from damage

Crankcase repair - a pleasure not cheap, and the car with a hole in the pallet and already leaked grease must also be brought to the repair site. It is better to immediately take care of the motor. The protection of the engine oil sump must be installed on all vehicles that are traveling along the roads of our country. This is a special sheet that is made of steel, aluminum, plastic, titanium or stainless steel and closes the engine from the bottom.