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BY LARRY FRIIS, OWNER, ENGINE LUBRICATION SYSTEMS

Engine experts, including those at McDonnell Douglas and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) have demonstrated that the majority of all mechanical wear occurs during engine start up. Some SAE studies show that up to 90% of this wear occurs during this time. Experts believe one start is equivalent to 500 miles of normal driving. Regular oil changes and preventative maintenance can help to reduce wear, but there is one problem that has always caused headaches - dry starting.

Dry starting refers to the time between your engine start and the introduction of oil into your engine, or oil pressure. It is during this time that most of the engine wear occurs. The problem is metal against metal waiting for oil to lubricate the surfaces. You can imagine engine parts in their dry state after sitting through the weekend, or in between trips, or even each morning. The abrasive metal particles that are rubbed off during these dry starts accelerate engine wear.

Engine parts strained and most affected in this dry start condition include bearings, turbo bearings, rods, pistons and heads. What about the turbo? It is the last of the critical parts of an engine to receive oil from the oil pump. How can this be prevented?

What about oil pressure? You wouldn't dream of driving your bus without oil pressure. In fact if your oil pressure drops, you know what the consequences could be. So why then, do we start our engines without oil pressure? Many people falsely believe that letting an engine warm up at a slow idle will solve the problem. Actually, the only way to totally eliminate dry start wear is to achieve oil pressure and lubrication before start up.

Others will pull their distributors and hook a drill up to the mechanical oil pump to lube their engines before start up. Others turn their engines over until the oil "idiot light" goes off. This would be a good idea for all of us, but it obviously isn't practical.

Well, now it is possible to pre-lubricate and pre-pressurize your engine before starting. A device on the market in the automotive and marine industries, since 1986 and 1990 respectively, is a patented pump and motor assembly called the Pre-Luber. The Pre-Luber is designed to pump oil from the oil pan into the oil-pressure sending unit orifice on the block, or to a main oil galley, prior to engaging the engine. It achieves up to 55 pounds of pressure, depending on the size of the engine, and completely bathes the engine in oil to prevent dry-starts, oil starvation and destructive metal contact before oil pressure is achieved.

Yes, it is one of those, "Why didn't I think of that?" inventions that is too obvious in its applications and need that we all wonder why we didn't do it first. Not only will the Pre-Luber automatically prime and pressurize the engine before starting, it makes oil changes easier, and will continue to run after the engine is shut down to cool off critical engine parts and turbo bearings to prevent "coking" (when oil bums on to the turbo bearing). Additionally, this saves idling the engine and the fuel costs associated with idling. Turn the key off and the Pre-Luber is activated for an adjustable cool down cycle.

Independent tests show the application of the Pre-Luber to an engine significantly reduces friction at engine start up and is shown to reduce wear by as much as 53%. This means double your engine life.

The opening of a door can activate the Pre-Luber, or more commonly when the key is turned to the "on" or "accessory" position. A small electronic control module automates the functions via signal from the ignition sensing wire. There are no switches or buttons to fool with on the dash or control panel. Turning the key to the "on" position starts the 60-second pre-lubrication cycle. At once the friction prone surfaces throughout the engine are coated in oil; the rods, mains, cam, turbo bearings, chains, etc., are quickly covered in slippery protection.

The Pre-Luber is sold as a turnkey kit. Installation is simple and no tools are required.

The post-use cycle or "cool down" cycle is advantageous for buses with a turbo. Turbo bearings remain extremely hot after engine shut off and creates coking of oil. Many manufacturers recommend idling the engine to cool off both the engine and the turbo charger. The coking and idling can be eliminated with the Pre-Luber. The Turbo version of the Pre-Luber provides as much as a five minute "cool down" cycle, and continually circulates oil through the engine and turbo, thereby preventing coking, eliminating the need for idling and fuel use, and reducing condensation and water content in the oil.

Another advantage of the Pre-Luber is the simple and easy oil change. The hose connected to the outlet of the pump can be fitted with a quick disconnect coupling, and allows you to run that hose to a container where the oil can be eliminated from the oil pan. Turn the key to the "accessory" position and pump the oil. Most oil can be discarded in about two minutes.

Installation is simple and no special tools are required. The Pre-Luber is sold as a turnkey kit unit and includes the pump and motor assembly along with the necessary fittings, mounting screws, control module and wire harness. Most owners prefer their own hoses. Your mechanic can normally install a Pre-Luber in about two hours.

For more information, phone ESP Products at (610) 970-8944, visit their web site at www.Pre-Luber.com.