Post
by Kelly Anderson » Fri Feb 23, 2024 3:37 am
I expect that the 100 degrees mentioned is the amount the the author assumed would be lost in heating the cylinder block, but every engine is going to be different. Without oil, the engine relies on liquid water for lubrication, and any time the engine becomes dry, it's going to groan. So, with superheat and without oil, you are going to be on the hairy edge of having a chronically groaning engine.
That being said, you don't need much oil. My 6 hp compound has a mechanical lubricator that I can dial in to a precise amount of feed (basically turned as low as possible to prevent groaning when throttling back), and it uses about a tea spoon of oil in a full dry of running.
If it were me, I wouldn't remove the lubricator, just turn it off, and see if I can get away without oiling. If concerned about feeding too much oil, leave it turned off until the engine groans, then turn on the lubricator until the groaning stops then turn it off again.
Other than satisfying your curiosity, having a temperature gauge isn't needed, either the engine groans or it doesn't.
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