Crirical physical conditions in the lubrication of automotive valve train systems

Abstract Pivoted follower valve train systems are now widely used in modern high-speed automotive engines, and because of their proneness to wear they feature prominently in lubricant specification test requirements. Critical conditions for wear in these systems have been identified by the application of a new model for steady, non-catastrophic,wear processes to the kinematic analysis of the cam/follower contact cycle. It is shown that using this technique, the positions of maximum wear and the reasons for the observed wear severity of pivoted follower systems can be more accurately identified than previously.