Is running an engine at a real real low rpm that bad? I have to basically "4 wheel" my Corolla into some spots to go fishing. Today, the road I take was in real bad shape, so I had to go real slow up a rocky/rutted incline and I **** near stalled (manual transmission). I was at about 400-500 rpm for a brief moment untill I got over the hill. My car doesn't knock like some engines I've heard when lugged real low. Is this harmfull in the long-run?
Lugging an engine?
- Thread starter Drew99GT
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Oops, I just did a search and there is already a couple threads on the subject. It sound slike what I am doing technically isn't lugging because I was in 1st gear with barely any load on the engine. I was just crawling up the rutted out hill barely giving it any throttle so I could go as slow as possible.
What do ya guys think? I think I'm just paranoid, but that goes without saying because I freqent this site
I've been lugging my turbo a bit lately but a few recent posts have me changing down earlier now to keep the oil pump spinning faster. I don't expect you did the slightest damage to your engine.
Lugging an engine puts lots of load on main bearings that are not getting lubrication due to the oil pressure.Which is not being created because of the low rpm factor..oil pump isn't working at it's potential...a bad main bearing will be most noticable under hard acceleration from a dead stop...lots of load...rpms not coming up quick...you get the heavy knock-knock from the journals till the speed comes up...not a good noise..try and keep the rev's up...or get a Jeep with a 4:1 transfer case...you can crawl up a rock face with-out a sweat breaking out in that thing.
Sometimes you need low-range. I even use it in some downtown trafic here at 14,000 ft above sea level where the engine can't get ujp rev's fast enough to climb the streets.
As said, the low rpm doesn't generate enough hidrodynamic lubrication that the bearings need.
As said, the low rpm doesn't generate enough hidrodynamic lubrication that the bearings need.
You can actuly tell from an engine's bearing how the owner used or abused the car or truck. Everything you do to an engine leaves a tell tale signiture especialy in the main bearing and cam bearing's.
Alright, I guess I'll just rip it up that incline I always have to go up to get to my "fishin hole"
When I can afford a bad ass jeep, I'll have one!
My last oil analysis on my Jeep showed lead at 1 ppm after 3K miles. During that 3k miles my Jeep was subject to long periods in low range offroading and idling. I figured my lead wear would be alot higher but it was very low.
As long as the engine is keeping to oil moving under a heavy load..bearing damage is very small or almost nill if everything is good inside...gearing makes you crawl...if the vehicle is geared to ascend at a slow pace and the engine revs are there...you can crawl over anything...my bud's new Jeep Rubicon with the 4:1 transfer case can crawl!
Sounds like a case for using Schaeffers # 132
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