Motorwanne

Motorwanne is the German term for the oil pan or engine sump, a metal container bolted to the bottom of an internal combustion engine. It forms the lower part of the crankcase and serves as the primary reservoir for lubricating oil.

Construction and materials: most sumps are made from stamped steel or cast aluminum; high-performance units may use magnesium. They are sealed to the engine block with a gasket or sealant and include a drain plug for oil changes. A pickup tube from the sump feeds the oil pump.

Function and design: the sump stores engine oil, supplies lubrication to bearings via the oil pump, and assists in cooling and ventilation of the oil. To prevent starvation during hard acceleration or cornering, sumps may include baffles, windage trays, and sufficient oil capacity.

Variants: most cars use a wet sump, where oil remains in the pan. Dry sump systems store oil in an external reservoir and are common in racing or high-performance applications to prevent oil starvation and allow lower engine placement. The sump location can be front or rear depending on the engine layout, but the pan remains at the bottom of the crankcase.

Maintenance and issues: routine oil changes require draining oil via the drain plug and inspecting the gasket seal. Common problems include oil leaks at the gasket or drain plug, dents or corrosion, and, after impact, damaged pans that interfere with the oil pickup.

In German terminology, motorwanne refers to the engine oil pan, a core component of the lubrication system that supports engine reliability and longevity.