1917 Cadillac - GM Heritage Center

38
LUBRICATION
LUBRICATION 39
REPLACE OIL IN ENGINE
At the end of the first 500 miles of travel and at the end of each 1,000
miles thereafter, remove the drain plug located at the right side of the oil
pan and drain out all of the oil. Then replace the drain plug and add sufficient
fresh oil to bring the level of the oil up to the proper height. (See below
under "Replace Oil Frequently During Cold Weather.")
At the end of the first 1,000 miles of travel and at the end of every 4,000
miles of travel thereafter, drain the oil pan and refill it with a mixture consisting
of three quarts of kerosene oil and one quart of engine oil. The mixture
must be entirely free from dirt and lint. Then run the engine at a speed
of between 600 and 1,000 R.P.M. for about one minute. Then drain the oil
pan, remove it and the screen from the engine and thoroughly clean the oil
pan and screen. Fill the oil pan to the proper height with clean, fresh engine
oil after replacing it.
It is a good plan to clean the overflow valve (see note) and valve seat,
as well as the housing in which they are contained, after forcing the mixture
of kerosene and engine oil through the lubricating system. It is also important
to make sure that the small by-pass hole is clean and free from any
obstruction. A clean cloth, free from lint, should be used in cleaning the
overflow valve.
CAUTION
If after starting it is found that the oil pressure gauge does not register
pressure when the car is traveling at the rate of ten miles per hour in high
gear, stop the engine immediately and prime the oil pump.
This may be done by disconnecting, at its upper end, the oil pipe running
from the engine around the right hand side of the dash, and forcing clean
engine oil into the pipe with the oil gun furnished in the tool kit. Connect
the pipe and tighten the union before starting the engine.
Note:—The housing, containing the overflow valve (pressure regulator),
is located at the side of the crankcase just back of the right hand block of
cylinders.
REPLACE OIL FREQUENTLY DURING COLD WEATHER
The mileages given at which the oil should be drained and the oil pan and
screen removed are those at which the work should be done during summer
weather.
• During cold weather a certain amount of water may accumulate in the
crank case of the engine as a result of condensation. The water thus formed
either freezes, preventing the pump from drawing oil, or mixes with the oil,
forming a thick substance which the pump cannot draw. It is necessary,
therefore, during cold weather to drain the oil pan and clean the oil pan and
screen much more frequently than during warm weather.
The frequency with which it is necessary to do this work during cold
weather depends very largely upon the manner in which the car is driven.
In cases where the car is driven short distances only and frequent stops are
made so that the engine base and the oil in the oil pan remain cold it will be
found necessary to drain the oil pan and clean the oil pan and screen much
more frequently than in cases where the car is driven for longer distances
with fewer stops, so that the engine base becomes thoroughly warmed.
The car that is constantly making very short trips in cold weather should,
have the oil drained every 500 miles or once a week and the oil pan and screen
cleaned once a month.
Unless the oil is drained out and the oil pan and screen are cleaned frequently
enough in cold weather, serious damage to the engine may result,
particularly on cars in short trip service.
OIL PRESSURE
Oil is fed under pressure to the main and connecting rod bearings of the
engine. To prevent the pressure of the oil from rising too high, a spring controlled
overflow valve known as a pressure regulator is provided. The pressure
regulator is set when the car is assembled and requires no further attention
except that it may be necessary occasionally to remove the valve from
the regulator and clean the valve and its seat, as well as the by-pass hole.
The amount of pressure indicated by the pressure gauge on the instrument
board varies with the speed and temperature of the engine and the viscosity
of the oil. When the engine is warm and supplied with fresh Cadillac Motor
Oil or oil of approximately the same viscosity, the pressure as indicated by
the gauge should be from four to six pounds when the car is travelling at
the rate of ten miles an hour in high gear. At higher speeds a higher pressure
should be indicated and at lower speeds, a lower pressure. Before the engine
has become warm, higher pressures will be indicated at given speeds. In
other words, maximum pressures will be indicated at given speeds when
the engine is cold and the oil is fresh; minimum pressures, when the engine
is hot and the oil becomes thin from use.
Practically all engine lubricating oils become less viscous from use even
under normal conditions. Running the engine too long with the auxiliary air
control lever pulled back will cause the oil to be thinned more rapidly, due to
the condensation of gasoline from the rich mixture. The formation of water
in the crankcase resulting from condensation will also lower the viscosity of
the oil.
Do not continue to run the engine if, as a result of low viscosity of the
oil, or other cause, pressure is not indicated on the gauge when the car is
traveling at the rate of ten miles per hour in high gear. (See under "Replace
Oil in Engine," page 38.)
LUBRICATION CARD
A lubrication card is supplied with the tool kit. The card is intended to
oe hung in the garage as a reminder.