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You need a "T" because right now the oil goes from the pump to the engine. You use a "T" to add in the accumulator. It is not "inline" between the pump and engine.
Accusump shows a checkvalve in their installation instructions. This is why I thought it would be a good idea to have one. Apparently it seems like I don't.
Thanks Again everybody!
Rob
In reply to wvumtnbkr:
The oil pushes from an oil gallery( thats where the oil pressure sender is usually screwed into) into the accumulator. Not directly from the oil pump, so when you have low oil pressure it simply returns the pressurized oil back into the oil galleys and into the bearings. The oil will find it easier to exit the bearings as opposed to the pump.
The check valve that is mentioned in the post before last is actually so that oil goes towards the engine side of the t-intersection, not the oil cooler/filter side of the t-intersection.
Sounds to me like you are looking for an expansion tank similar to the ones used on heating systems, well tanks, and water supply systems that use a check valve. I suggest one of those small beige units designed for water supply. It is called a extrol 15 and is about half the size of the grey ones most people have hanging from their hydronic heating systems. It is constructed so that there is a rubber bladder in the middle. As you fill it with pressurized water, the pillow of air on one side of the bladder compresses. The bladder prevents the air from dispersing into the water over time. There should be a shraeder valve on the air side and a 1/2" male thread on the water side. Screw on an IPS ball valve and go from there. Total cost will be less than $35. Here is a link with specs. You can buy them at any plumbing supply.
http://www.pexsupply.com/Amtrol-101-1-15-Extrol-Expansion-Tank-2-Gallon-Volume-255...
I strongly suspect the bladder in a plumbing expansion tank will not be compatible with engine oil.
wvumtnbkr wrote:Why do some of the accumulators have the internal piston? I figured that if you don't seperate the air and the oil that the oil would get "frothy".
Follow up question to this- what in an accusump would cause the oil to be frothy? There's nothing in there to stir things up.
Especially compared to the oil that is actually in the sump, which is exposed to air over the entire surface area of the oil.
I don't see how a piston would make it better or worse- since there doesn't seem to be a mechanism in the accumulator set up that would put air into the oil.
The piston in an Acuusump separates the oil side from the air side if you don't have the piston all you have is a tank full of oil it will do nothing to prevent the oil system from failing in a hard corner. Some cheaper units use a rubber bladder this is so they can use off the shelf tubbing and not have to machine the ID for the o-ring on the piston to seal. Both work as well as the other and should not foam the oil. The foam is normally from the oil pump caveatting when the pick up doesn't have enough oil around it it will suck some air. The pump compresses the air in to the oil as frothy foam the dip in outlet pressure makes the stored oil move out of the acuusump and in to the motor until one of two things happen the pump catches back up thus starts to refill the sump or the sump runs out of oil to push in.
Any hydraulic shop should have one at less cost on the shelf.
The advantage of keeping the air and water separate is flexibility of mounting. Without a piston or bladder, you have to mount the accumulator upright. With it, you can mount it in any orientation.
"I strongly suspect the bladder in a plumbing expansion tank will not be compatible with engine oil."
That is why many plumbing parts like this are stamped "WOG". That means water oil gas. And besides, it's going in a lemons car. Whether the rubber bladder lasts more than a few days is irrelevant.
tr8todd wrote:"I strongly suspect the bladder in a plumbing expansion tank will not be compatible with engine oil."
That is why many plumbing parts like this are stamped "WOG". That means water oil gas. And besides, it's going in a lemons car. Whether the rubber bladder lasts more than a few days is irrelevant.
I have yet to see an plumbing expansion tank marked WOG. That marking appears on valves. I'm not sure the bladder would last an hour subjected to hot oil, and who knows what would happen if it failed. The rubber parts could easily find their way out of the accumulator into the engine. There are ways to save money when building a LeMons car. This ain't one of them.
