Engine oil prelube setup.

[99Vortec]

Is anyone here using, or has tried using an engine oil prelube system?

I am considering setting one up on my GMC.

It looks like some have oil filter adapters that they hook into, and others have or might have oil reservoir tanks utilized.

Some hook into the oil drain plug using a "banjo" type fitting. (To allow for quick and easy oil changes.)

Lots of products out there so I won't even bother linking.

Years ago, I took a beginner automotive class at a Junior College, and the Professor there mentioned how most engine wear to bearings, etc. takes place during the cold engine startup due to lack of lubrication.

IIRC, he was talking numbers like 40% or greater.

They all do look very expensive though.... Like $500 plus.

 

[SunlitComet]

unless you are running an industrial engine in heavy construction or a diesel electric locomotive don't even bother. it is the contaminants that do the most damage. And there is always an oil film on the parts it is just not being flush thru the part for a couple of seconds.

 

[99Vortec]

Yea, I could do a lot of extra oil changes with that $500 plus that they want for the pre-luber.

Thx.

 

[livingez_123]

Don't waste your money, there is enough oil film left on the bearings to protect them during an oil change. If you pre fill your filter, there isn't anything to worry about. I changed the oil on my Cummins over 60 times in 600k, you have nothing to worry about.
Now if your staring a fresh engine, I can see where pre-pressurizing your system has great benefits.

 

[99Vortec]

Yes, I like to prefill my filter with oil before installing. I like the modified distributor trick for pre-oiling a freshly rebuilt engine. (Just spin the oil pump drive extension slot for a bit, then drop in the real distributor).

 

[Gatorlac]

don't wanna sound redundant but totally unnecessary unless the "cold start" is an EXTREMLY cold start, like -30 degrees. If it caused that much damage nobody would get high miles. I know it's a completely different engine but I have a caddy north star in my STS and I read notes from a GM engineer saying a warm up period isn't even necessary anymore, you can just fire it up and take off.. I still wait a couple minutes tho LOL

 

[SunlitComet]

sure they are not referring to the ability of an engine not needing to be choked for fuel mixture reasons when cold and hence you need to leave it to warm up first?

 

[Gatorlac]

Na they were deff talking about the oil...

The best thing for the car and engine is to start it up and drive it. Period. Idling for warmup is completely unnecessary and just wastes fuel and time. The engine is designed to be operated immediately. It takes about 2 seconds for oil to circulate thru the engine even in the worst case coldest day so that is just not an issue

Heres what really pisses me off about the engine tho, $50-60k cars and they cant keep the coolant from mixing with the oil!!!

The manual will show three of the GM coolant supplement pellets for the Northstar. The 4.x engines were recommended for six of them due to the greater chance of an internal leak of coolant directly into the oil. I always recommend six of the GM coolant supplement pellets / two tubes of the BarsLeaks golden seal powder for either engine. It just provides extra protection against leakage and will not hurt a thing.

I never put that shit it mine tho and never had a head gasket problem but sadly, its not uncommon with the N*. I cant believe GM recommends using radiator pellets in their most advanced engine, at the time, pretty tacky/half assing it

sorry for going off topic LOL just something I've never been able to get over

 

[SunlitComet]

well you would think any modern engine could just start and go oil wise.