Engine Lubrication: Description and Operation

Oil Circulation:



Image Legend:
1 Oil sump
2 Oil suction snorkel
3 Oil pump
4 Overpressure valve
5 Full-flow oil filter
6 Intermediate shaft
7 Oil-to-water heat exchanger
8 Camshafts
9 Crankshaft
10 Oil return pumps
11 Chain tensioner
12 Oil pressure sensor
13 Valves for piston cooling
14 Oil-level sensor
15 Hydraulic valve tappet
16 Oil temperature sensor

Oil Supply:



In order to ensure a reliable engine oil supply even with extreme longitudinal and lateral acceleration, the Boxster has an integrated dry-sump lubrication system (without external oil tank), i.e. the oil sump is situated opposite the crankgear.

A special die-cast method means that it is possible to cast the oil channels into the crankcase. As a result, drilling as well as the subsequent cleaning processes are no longer necessary.

The oil pump (3) driven via the intermediate shaft (6) draws the oil out of the oil sump (1) via the oil suction tube (2) and then transfers it to the lubricating points.

Oil Repeller:

The oil repeller leads the returning oil back to the oil sump via the oil collection channel and collection edge.

Oil Return Pump:



Since there is no drop between the cylinder heads and oil sump in a Boxer engine, the oil is drawn out of each of the cylinder heads by a oil return pump.

Oil Separator:



The oil drawn off via the return pumps is fed into "swirl- pots."

In these containers, the oil is centrifuged and defoamed, i.e. gases which the oil has picked up on the way to the lubricating points are removed.

This ensures that the oil always has a good consistency which is necessary to guarantee the reliability of the hydraulic valve clearance compensation. Gases could bring about changes in the engine timing which would have an effect on the performance and exhaust-emission behavior of the engine.

Oil Filter:



An exchangeable filter cartridge is used as the oil filter.
The oil capacity is 8.25 liters.
The engine oil must be changed every 15.000 miles, the filter cartridge must be changed every 30.000 miles.

Oil-Level Sensor:



Information regarding the oil level displayed on the instrument cluster is provided via a measuring sensor screwed into the crankcase.