So I got to thinking the other day, they say startup is the hardest time on engine, specifically up until oil pressure comes up. Why not make an electric oil primer pump? Like a pump in parallel with the factory pump that only primes the system so you have oil pressure before you even hit the starter. Wouldn't this make engines last longer? I know the manufacturers don't really want an engine that lasts way too long, but still. Seems to me this would have been thought of and/or done already, but I've never heard of it. Thoughts?

-dave

 

How many motors have you owned that died due to oil starvation on start up?

The amount of wear is higher, but only by a small fraction. Broski in another thread is claiming he's railing 300k out of 4.6L fords. Do we really need them to last longer? In that 300k, the engine is more apt to destroy itself due to poor maintenance than it would lack of oil on startup.

Good idea, but your execution is iffy. I've got to keep thinking about this one to see if it wouldn't have a good application. Will come back to this thread

 

Interesting idea. There are a couple of other solutions to this problem already out there:

1st is the easiest: Many guys I've raced with have separate switches for the starter and ignition system. Before starting the engine you hold the starter button for a few seconds (until oil pressure builds). Once it's built up you arm the ignition and start the engine.

2nd way is a little more complex: There are oil pressure reservoir systems available. You plumb them into your oiling system and they fill with pressurized oil while the engine is running. Before you shut the engine off you close a valve to keep the reservoir pressurized. Before starting the engine you open the valve and the pressurized oil in the tank back-feeds into the motor.

We've only run these things on high-dollar race engines that sit for weeks/months between startups. I have to agree with Cox that the majority of stock engine failures we see at my shop are due to poor maintenance. I preach this to my customers: OIL CHANGE, OIL CHANGE, OIL CHANGE! Today's engines sludge up like mad if you don't keep up with the oil changes. That in turn clogs passages and leads to catastrophic failure. No brand is immune. I've seen Nissans, Toyotas and Hondas do it just like Chevys, Fords and Dodges.

 

If anything the reason we will start seeing this IMO is that they will be trying to get a few more tenths of a MPG and will go full electric. Just saying. Supposedly some cars are ditching power steering pumps these days, so it seems like a natural step in the progression.

 

Kind've like this thread.

The first link is dead now, but I'm sure a google search might net some results.

 

We've got a couple models that have electric steering. Pretty neat technology!

 

Accusump by Moroso and a ball check valve, shut valve while running, open before start up, will also hold oil pressure during those Oh Crap moments, wheelies, 2 g corners, ect.

That or help Disney's pension and pick up a Leaf, btw Bid D I have seen some cheap Leaf blowers at Home Depot, they won't really help will they? They give you a chance to drive the Leaf Race car? Carbon Fiber body, 1000 lbs, 200 ft torque, lithium batteries, heard it did well at Pikes Peak .

 

That Carbon Leaf is downstairs in my shop right now. I am allowed to drive it, but I can't fit in the seat. It's made for a tiny Japanese man.

The Pikes Peak car is here also. It's not carbon though. It's a production car that was fitted with a cage and some other crap. Other than that the drivetrain is 100% stock. It's probably heavier than a stock leaf also. I made some parts on that car before it left to go to Pikes Peak too. I'm kinda famous now.

 

Lots of race cars use elc pumps to pre-prime the oil prior to startup (or at least used to )

 

Some heavy diesel engines had this idea. Caterpillar and deco produced some mt40 starter for this.
They gone now...
As other have already said, oil changes and services that maintain good lubrication is king....
I personally would nt worry about it.

 

If its a race car, maybe you release the valve train I between races?
If so, once the valves are re set, leave the plugs out and spin motor over, no load,
I do that with the mechanic injection systems, to help draw fuel up ..and per lube engine before firing car up.
Can never see any excessive wear .
This the sort of ideas u chasing?

 

We called them an Accusump been around for years.