In recent weeks, our team at Cleaning Systems has replaced two truckmount engines due to a complete failure caused by an easily preventable issue: a severe lack of oil…
In the cleaning and restoration industry, your equipment is your livelihood. However, one of the most common—and preventable—repair bills stems from engine failures caused by low oil and poor lubrication habits.
Understanding Engine Failures Caused by Low Oil
An engine’s oil is its lifeblood. It performs three critical functions: lubrication, cooling, and cleaning.
- Lubrication: Oil creates a thin, protective film between the engine’s moving parts, such as pistons and bearings, preventing them from grinding against each other. Without oil, this friction causes immense heat, quickly.
- Cooling: While engine coolant on water cooled engines handles the majority of an engine’s cooling, oil also absorbs and carries away heat from key internal components. For air cooled engines the oil is much more important and it is critical to keep the correct levels.
- Cleaning: Oil picks up dirt, metal shavings, and other contaminants, holding them in suspension until they are trapped by the oil filter.
Warning Signs of Low Oil Pressure
When oil levels drop, these functions are severely compromised. The lack of lubrication causes metal-on-metal contact, leading to a rapid buildup of heat that can melt and weld parts together destroying the engine beyond repair, as was the case with our two recent failures.
| Symptom | Potential Cause | Risk Level | Action Required |
| Tapping/Knocking | Low oil level / Valve wear | High | Shut down immediately; check oil. |
| Overheating | Friction due to old/thin oil | Medium | Change oil and filter immediately. |
| Oil Light Flickering | Failing oil pump / Low level | Critical | Do not restart; professional service. |
| Dark/Thick Oil | Carbon buildup / Long intervals | Medium | Perform a full oil flush. |
Avoidable Loss
Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine blown up due to low oil
The cost of replacing a truckmount engine is substantial, not just in parts and labor, but also in lost productivity and downtime. In both recent incidents, a simple and quick check of the oil level before each startup could have prevented the entire failure. This serves as a stark reminder that even with advanced machinery, fundamental maintenance remains non-negotiable.
We urge all operators to make a habit of checking the engine oil level as part of their daily pre-operational checks. It takes only a minute or two, but it can save thousands of dollars and prevent a major disruption to our operations. Let’s work on avoidance by establishing this simple routine.
Need further service support or have some questions? Contact our Service Specialist Team HERE
Further reading:
Truckmount Maintenance 101: Engine Oil Changes How-To Tutorial
Oil Maintenance Schedule for NZ Truckmounts
| Engine | Check engine oil level. Fill to proper level. |
| Engine | Check coolant level in reservoir. Fill to proper level. |
| Vacuum Pump | Check vacuum pump oil level. Fill to proper level. Do not overfill. |
| Vacuum Pump | Spray a silicone or Teflon/PTFE-based lubricant into the lubrication cup for 5 seconds. |
| Pressure Pump | Check water pump oil level. Fill to proper level. |
| Vacuum Inlet Filters | Inspect filters in the waste tank; clean and/or replace if required. |
| Strainer Baskets | Empty and clean stainless-steel baskets in the pre-filter box and waste tank. |
| Vacuum Hoses | Rinse with fresh water. |
| Waste Pump-Out | (Optional equipment) Inspect and remove any debris or sediment. |
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