Low oil pressure is a major problem for excavator engines

As an important mechanical equipment in engineering construction, the stable operation of the excavator's engine is crucial. However, low oil pressure is quietly becoming a "heartache" that threatens the health of the engine. Understanding the causes of this problem, the harm it brings, and how to effectively solve it is of great significance to ensure the normal operation of the excavator and extend the service life of the engine.

Causes of low oil pressure

Insufficient oil: Oil is a key medium in the engine lubrication system, and insufficient oil is a common cause of low oil pressure. In daily use, if the excavator has oil leakage problems, such as aging and damage of the oil pan gasket, rupture of the oil pipeline, etc., the oil will gradually be lost.

In addition, if the oil is not replenished in time for a long time, the oil level will also be low. When checking the oil level, you need to pay attention to the "excavator oil level inspection method" and use the oil dipstick to accurately judge whether the oil level is within the normal scale range. If the oil level is significantly reduced, the leak point should be checked and the oil should be replenished in time.

Oil pump failure: The oil pump is responsible for extracting the oil from the oil pan and pressurizing it to various lubrication parts of the engine. When the oil pump fails, such as internal parts wear, pump body damage, etc., its ability to pump oil will drop significantly, resulting in low oil pressure. As in the "Common Failure Types of Excavator Oil Pumps", excessive gear wear will affect the meshing effect of the oil pump and make the oil output unstable. Once the oil pump is suspected of failure, it must be disassembled, inspected, repaired or replaced in time.

Oil filter blockage: The function of the oil filter is to filter impurities in the oil and ensure that the oil entering the engine is clean. However, during long-term use, the filter will gradually be filled with impurities, causing blockage. The blocked filter hinders the normal circulation of the oil, causing the oil pressure to drop

. It is necessary to replace the filter regularly according to the "Excavator Oil Filter Replacement Cycle". Generally, it should be replaced every 500 hours or so to ensure smooth filtration of the oil and maintain normal oil pressure.

Internal wear of the engine: Long-term high-load operation of the engine or the use of inferior engine oil will cause excessive wear of internal parts such as crankshaft journals and connecting rod bearings. After these parts are worn, the matching clearance increases, and the engine oil will leak from the clearance, thereby reducing the engine oil pressure.

Pay attention to the "Internal Wear Detection Method of Excavator Engine". By regularly detecting the engine's operating sound, vibration, and the content of metal debris in the engine oil, internal wear problems can be discovered in time so that corresponding measures can be taken.

The hazards of too low oil pressure

Intensified wear of parts: If the oil pressure is too low, it is impossible to form an oil film of sufficient thickness on the surface of the engine parts, and the parts are in direct contact and friction, and the wear rate is accelerated sharply. For example, the normal lubrication between the piston and the cylinder wall depends on the appropriate oil pressure. When the pressure is insufficient, the wear of the two is aggravated, which may cause serious faults such as cylinder pulling and piston burning, greatly shortening the service life of the engine.

Influence on engine performance: The various components of the engine can only work efficiently under good lubrication conditions. Too low oil pressure will increase the internal resistance of the engine, reduce power, and cause problems such as difficulty in starting, unstable idling, and insufficient power. During excavation, the engine cannot provide enough power, affecting the construction progress and efficiency.

Cause engine overheating: The engine oil not only plays a lubricating role, but also takes away some of the heat generated by the engine. When the oil pressure is too low, the oil circulation is not smooth, the heat dissipation capacity decreases, and the engine heat cannot be dissipated in time, causing the temperature to continue to rise. An overheated engine may cause a series of serious faults, such as cylinder gasket damage and poor valve sealing.

Strategies for dealing with low oil pressure

Regular inspection and maintenance: Develop the habit of regularly checking the excavator engine oil system, including oil volume, filter status, oil pump working condition, etc. According to the requirements of the equipment maintenance manual, replace the oil and filter in time, perform preventive inspection and maintenance on key components such as the oil pump, and follow the "Main Points for Maintenance of Excavator Engine Oil System" to nip the problem of low oil pressure in the bud.
Timely troubleshooting: Once the low oil pressure alarm is found, the operation should be stopped immediately and the engine should be fully inspected. Start the inspection from the oil volume, and gradually check the oil pump, filter and internal parts of the engine. Use professional testing tools, such as oil pressure gauges, to accurately measure the oil pressure value, analyze the cause of the fault based on the actual situation, quickly repair the problem, and avoid the engine continuing to run at low oil pressure and causing greater damage.

Use high-quality accessories and oil: When repairing and maintaining the excavator engine, choose reliable oil pumps, filters and other accessories to ensure that their performance meets the equipment requirements. At the same time, choose high-quality oil suitable for the engine model and working environment. High-quality oil has good lubricity, wear resistance and stability, which can effectively reduce the wear of internal engine parts, maintain normal oil pressure, and ensure the stable operation of the engine.

Low oil pressure is extremely harmful to the excavator engine. By understanding its causes and taking effective preventive and countermeasures, it can ensure that the engine is always in good working condition, providing a solid guarantee for the efficient operation of the excavator.

Choose DIG-DOG for high-quality, customizable brush cutters for skid steers with fast delivery. Contact us today to discover how our superior products can enhance your land management tasks!