preluber

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anyone know where i can get a preluber. i
would like to put one so that i can prelube
the engine and turbocharger before i start the
engine cause with the engine oil pump they
don't get oil for 7 seconds and that will couse some damage and premature wear on the
turbo espaillaly at start-up.
1999 4X4,2500,24V ISB,5spd. shift,4:10. ,white/driftwood,trailer and camper pkg. ,
1999 35 ft. fifth wheel 11,656 gvw

 

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There was a company in the TDR but they developed a bad rep. Some trouble with oil leaks developed. I don't have 1st hand information to report, and the concept sounds compelling. Could be an engineering shortfall.

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3/4 ton, 5 sp, lsd, 2wd, qcab, guages, Scotty sys. Rhino liner, Blue Box hp enhancement

 

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thanks HVAC i'll keep looking.

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1999 4x4 2500 slt qcab 24v isb 5spd
1999 35ft fifth wheel 11,656 gvw

 

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I bought a pre-luber for my '94 GMC when I bought it. I bought it through summit racing - the current one they carry is from lubrication research and that name doesn't sound familiar but the unit looks the same. I hated it - it was EXTREMELY loud from day one and the pump died after 13 months (warranty was 1 year of course). I paid $500+ for the kit and to buy a new pump was going to cost me $500! I decided to throw it in the trash.

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-Steve St. Laurent
'98 Quad Cab Long Bed (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc remote fuel filter,
boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly stainless nerf bars,
BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's
http://my. voyager.net/stevest

 

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Hi Vince, I heard that the electronics that control the guage is what is causing the delay in pressure readings. Also heard from other guys that with a wet line guage pressure is immediate, however, I have not tested mine with a wet guage. Even my old phord gasser with 120,000 miles the pressure shows to come up faster with a wet guage, so it's hard for me to believe that a newer Cummins with tighter tolerances would take longer. I have heard of guys who had an oil line break on the prelubers and dump the oil and fry the engine. Lou

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99,2500,QC,6speed,3. 54 LSD,long bed,Line-X

 

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I'm not a big believer in startup wear, I think it was more of a sales pitch thrown out by practically everyone in the oil additives market. Unless you don't fire up for a very long time, all the friction surfaces in the engine should retain a decent oil film from the last time it was operated. I think this would provide ample protection at startup before oil is pressurized and starts moving. I think operating an engine cold causes more wear than the brief moment there is no oil pressure at startup.

On the subject of prelubers I have seen one product that uses a cylindrical reservoir tied into the oil system much like a bypass filter setup. When the engine is started, oil is forced through a supply line into the chamber until equalized with the engine's oil pressure. At this point the operator closes a dash-controlled valve on the chamber so that it retains the pressurized oil for next startup. Later when it's time to start up again, you pull the lever and start cranking. The chamber now supplies pressurized oil for startup prelubrication. When the engine fires, the process starts over again. Simple and effective design, no pumps or electrical components to fail. I'll do some digging and see if I can find the info (was in "Car Craft" a couple years ago).

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Vaughn MacKenzie

1998 3/4T QC 4x4 Longbed, 24-valve 5-spd, White over Driftwood, Leather & Loaded, foglights, airdam, DeeZee Running Boards. 50,370 miles (11/08/99)

Lifetime member of BOMB

 

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Lou is correct. In TDR issue 24 (I believe) Robert Patton set the record straight as to the lag in (perceived) oil pressure at start-up. There is no actual oil pressure lag, it's all in the electronics, and how the information is processed.

As Steve previously stated, Summit Racing sells a Pre-Luber kit for $449. I was also considering the addition of one of these units to my Ram until I read ALL the negative feedback from past issues of the TDR as well as DAVE Fritz's Ram site (linked through the "Links" page). The pump noise, blown fuses in the winter (when the thicker oil placed a strain on the Pre-Luber pump), the pump seal leaks, and in one case. . right here in my own "neighborhood", a fellow TDR member experienced a blown engine! It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that I didn't want any part of that!

I hate to say it (Scott, look the other way), but, I think this is one case where you are not better off modified. Ouch, that hurt!

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (Black) SLT Sport, personalized license plate: BLCKOUT, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, 275 hp. injectors, Glasstite Vision II "canopy", Line-X bed liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, VDO Vision gauges, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights and Super White bulbs, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, and Banks exhaust.

SVP of BOMB! heh,heh,heh

 

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John,

You are absolutely right!!! That's one option you are better off without. The cold start hype was started by the "snake oil" engine oil additive sellers. I've seen the internals of Cummins N14 engines run over 1,000,000 miles and the evidence is there--you don't need a preluber!!

Caterpillar had a preluber several years ago on some large heavy off road trucks that worked with the starter, but quietly dropped it later. Too many problems.

Save you money for some REAL goodies!!

Bill

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97 3500CC,Auto,4. 10LSD,All Options incl Leather,Pyro,Boost,Trans. Temp Gauges, PacBrake, 3 pos TC Lockup Switch, RPM 40Gal. Aux. Fuel Tank, Reese 20K Hitch, Highway Products Tool Box, 80% Towing 12,100lb. HitchhikerII 5'er. 2000 3500QC 6 Speed,4. 10LSD,SLT+ on Order since 9-23-99,"D-1" Order Status, St. Louis Plant, Ship Date: 11-30-99

 

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Summit racing also sells an oil accumulator. I looked for it on their web page but couldn't find it there. I know it's in their catalog though. On their system I believe you have to turn a handle right on the accumulator though. It also only holds a quart or so I believe so I don't know if it would be enough to pre-lube our engines.

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-Steve St. Laurent
'98 Quad Cab Long Bed (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc remote fuel filter,
boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly stainless nerf bars,
BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's
http://my. voyager.net/stevest

 

[Archive]

Steve, an oil accumulator is exactly what I was talking about. Just couldn't think of what it was called! Someone makes one that holds 2 or 3 quarts besides the 1-qt or so size.

The dash control knob was set up on a featured car in "Car Craft. " If you have to pop the hood to turn the valve, it wouldn't be practical at all!

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Vaughn MacKenzie

1998 3/4T QC 4x4 Longbed, 24-valve 5-spd, White over Driftwood, Leather & Loaded, foglights, airdam, DeeZee Running Boards. 50,370 miles (11/08/99)

Lifetime member of BOMB

 

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shurflo makes an oil pump that works for $130

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99-2500-2W-pacBR-shurflo prelub-14k+5th W.

 

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thanks to all who replied,it sure changed my
mind about buying the one from summit racing.
i think i'm going to get all mechanical gauges so i can get a more accurate reading.


1999 4x4 2500 slt quadcab 24v isb 5 spd lwb white/driftwood cummins mud flaps

1999 35ft dutchman fifthwheel 11,656 gvw

 

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I had a pre-luber on my Ford diesel. I got mine from Sales Professionals in King of Prussia, PA. I have an address and phone number if you would like it. I have no idea if they are even still around, this was 6 years ago or so. My pre-luber worked great for the 5 years or so I had the truck, not one problem. I was considering getting one for my Ram if and when I get it, interesting to hear of the negative comments concerning them. I'll have to search the archives.

 

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Sales professionals was the brand name when I bought mine - couldn't remember it until I saw your post. Looks like the brand name must've changed since then.

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-Steve St. Laurent
'98 Quad Cab Long Bed (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc remote fuel filter,
boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly stainless nerf bars,
BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's
http://my. voyager.net/stevest

 

[Archive]

Benson and Steve: Much discussion has been centered around the Pre-Luber in past issues of the TDR. I would suggest if one is hell bent on installing one of these units, they search through all TDR back issues for the preceeding two years. Sales Professionals was listed as one of the manufacturers (or distributors) of these Pre-Lubers. As I remember, The company went out of business with some TDR members losing money paid in advance for a product that was never received. Others lost all or a portion of their warranty period, being left with defective Pre-Lubers that were not able to be fixed. I believe that I read in a subsequent issue, there were members that recouped their losses, at least partially. Buyer Beware!

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (Black) SLT Sport, personalized license plate: BLCKOUT, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, A/T, 275 hp. injectors, Glasstite Vision II "canopy", Line-X bed liner, 285/75R16 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, VDO Vision gauges, PIAA Dual Sport 900 auxiliary lights and Super White bulbs, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc fuel filter relocation kit, and Banks exhaust.

SVP of BOMB! heh,heh,heh

 

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Yup, John, I was one of those who had one on order when I heard that Sales Professionals might be going out of business. I got my money back.
I read in some Cummins publication, I don't remember if it was a Power Boosters newsletter or what, but Cummins says that a pre-luber isn't necessary, that enough oil stays in the critical locations when the engine is shut off. I can't remember exactly how it was worded, but it was straight from Cummins engineering. Remember, the (well maintained) engines will outlive the trucks anyway, with or without a pre-luber. I've been told that a lot of farmers buy Dodge/Cummins trucks, beat the hell out of them, pull the engine out and use it to run an irrigation pump, and go buy a new truck. I'm sure someone on this board can vouch for that.
FWIW, though, I've noticed that commercial jet engines are not started until oil pressure is up. I've rode along in the cockpits of 727's, DC-10's, MD-11's, and Airbus 310's & 300's, and watched the starting procedure and the gauges during pushback. Of course, a jet engine costs a whole lot more than a Cummins, and we don't risk losing millions in revenue if our truck is in the shop for an engine swap!
You know what I think is cool in those cockpits is the pyrometers that are normal analog gauges with a digital readout in the center.
Andy

 

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Andy, the reason that turbo-fan engines (most "jets" don't even have jet engines anymore they are actually turbo-fans) do not get started until oil pressure is up is not because of pre-lubing. The way a turbofan is lit up is the starter motor spins the engine up to a percentage of full operating speed (between 20-50% n1 I believe) and then fuel is introduced into the engine and lit. Then it continues to burn as you as fuel flows into the engine. So the reason the oil pressure comes up is because the starter motor is spinning the engine up to speed before fuel can be introduced.

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-Steve St. Laurent
'98 Quad Cab Long Bed (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc remote fuel filter,
boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly stainless nerf bars,
BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's
http://my. voyager.net/stevest

 

[Archive]

Thanks, Steve! I must admit, I'm not familiar at all with the inner workings of turbofan engines. Now I'll know what's going on next time I hitch a ride in the cockpit.
Andy

 

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In industrial engine applications (3500 ci& up)the pre-lube is standard as the components are much heavier and sitting lets the components contact the bearing surfaces. It takes the oil too long to create a wedge in the bearings and you get wear. AAAnyways the value in these systems on the smaller engines is POST-lubing and would for sure rid your mind of any worry of toasting the turbo, even it has to be shut down in an emergency, not to mention the piston heat etc. Thought I would toss in $0. 02.

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(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst, E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 Lites

 

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Turbo Pre-Luber
Engine Lubrucation Systems http://www.enginelube.com