When Should You Prime the Oil Pump?

Engine oil pumps play a vital role in construction machinery, ensuring the engine runs properly and is adequately lubricated. It is vital that the correct pre-charge conditions are in place before the pump is put into service. This article will look in detail at when an oil pump should be pre-charged to ensure that it is able to quickly build up a lubricant film after start-up, improving the reliability and longevity of the machinery and equipment.

 

When installing or replacing an oil pump

When should you prime the oil pump? When performing a new oil pump installation or replacing an existing oil pump, this is an excellent time to perform a diesel oil pump pre-charge. During this process, the oil system may be affected by air, resulting in the presence of gas in the system instead of lubricating oil. Pre-charging is especially critical to prevent engine parts from wearing out due to lack of lubrication at startup.

 

When newly installed, air may be present in the lines and oil pump. By precharging, oil can be quickly introduced to the pump and related components, removing air and ensuring that the line system is adequately filled. This helps to minimize friction losses at the moment of engine start-up and improves the reliability of mechanical equipment.

 

After a long shutdown

When should you prime the oil pump? When a construction machine is shut down for a long period of time, the oil may be lost in the oil circuit system due to standing still. It becomes especially critical to pre-charge the engine oil pump before restarting. As the oil may be reduced during the downtime, other diesel engine parts of the engine may be subjected to severe friction and wear due to lack of lubrication when restarting.

 

The primary purpose of precharging is to quickly introduce lubricant to the oil pump and related components, building pressure and ensuring that the oil circuit system is adequately filled. This helps to restore normal circulation of the oil, reduce friction losses during engine start-up and minimize wear on mechanical equipment parts. Particularly during the cold season, when the viscosity of the lubricant increases, pre-filling is even more necessary to ensure that pressure can be built up quickly to provide adequate lubrication at low temperatures.

 

After Maintenance

When should you prime the oil pump? Engine repairs may involve disassembly of the oil pump or changes to the lubrication system, and it is critical that the oil pump be pre-charged. During service, the oil system may have lost lubricant due to disassembly or may have been affected by external contaminants. Therefore, pre-charging the oil pump before restarting the engine ensures that the oil fills the oil circuit system quickly, reduces mechanical friction during start-up, and minimizes damage to the oil pump and other components such as the starter motor.

 

Pre-charging after servicing also helps to remove any contaminants that may have entered the oil system during servicing. These impurities may be debris, dirt or external impurities generated during the repair process, which, if not cleaned in time, will have an adverse effect on the normal operation of the engine. By pre-charging, these impurities can be removed to ensure the cleanliness of the lubricant and reduce the harm to the engine.

 

When using low viscosity fluids

When should you prime the oil pump? In the case of choosing a low-viscosity fluid, it is especially important to precharge the oil pump. Low viscosity fluids may be more susceptible to loss after a shutdown, and precharging can quickly introduce fluid into the system, reducing start-up wear caused by low viscosity fluids.

 

Knowing when you should precharge your engine oil pump is an important part of ensuring a smooth startup of your machinery and equipment and prolonging the life of your components. New installations, pump replacements, extended downtime, after repairs, and when using low-viscosity fluids are all key moments when it is appropriate to precharge the oil pump. By getting these situations right, you can ensure that the oil pump can quickly build up pressure and provide adequate lubrication at startup, thus improving the reliability and stability of the machinery and equipment.