What is dry sump lubrication?

As you probably know, the lubrication system of an internal combustion engine is one of the most important systems, as it ensures proper lubrication to reduce friction, minimise wear on its components and help cool the engine. Lubrication also helps keep the engine clean by removing particle deposits, cushions the impacts of the crankshaft, connecting rods and moving parts, and ensures sealing.

It is important to note that there are some conditions in which a lack of lubrication and/or cooling can occur. To prevent this, dry sump lubrication was developed. This type of lubrication is usually used in competition and in high-performance vehicles. The sump is located at the bottom of the engine and is where the oil is stored. The drain plug, the oil level sensor and the suction pipe of the pump that drives the oil through the galleries are also found in the sump.

Dry sump: how does it work?

In dry sump lubrication, the oil is not stored in the sump itself but in an auxiliary tank. The size of the sump is reduced to a minimum, and by means of a vacuum pump the oil is conveyed to the auxiliary tank. This tank is usually narrow and tall, with the aim of ensuring, at all times, the suction of the pump that returns the oil to the engine. Dry sump lubrication, in addition to ensuring the engine is lubricated and cooled at all times, allows the engine to be mounted lower, thereby improving the vehicle’s dynamic behaviour.

The main advantage of this system is that it ensures the oil supply at any time, since the auxiliary tank “is not affected by inertial forces”. With this type of lubrication it is much easier to fit a radiator to cool the oil. Ensuring the oil supply at all times is fundamentally important, which is why we are going to show you a video in which a 911 Carrera and a 911 Carrera S can be seen on a test bench at the Porsche Development Centre located in Weissach, Germany.

https://youtu.be/fv53RbvgfGc

As can be seen, the power bench has a series of hydraulic cylinders capable of moving the engine, simulating the movements the car would experience if it were running the circuit. For this test, telemetry data from the Nürburgring were used.