Engine Lubrication — Typical Oil Flow Path Identify the correct order of components in the lubrication circuit of a conventional automobile engine.

Introduction / Context:
Pressure lubrication keeps bearings, pistons, and valve gear supplied with filtered oil. Knowing the order of elements in the oil circuit is essential for troubleshooting low pressure, contaminated oil, or relief-valve issues.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Wet-sump engine using a gear/rotor pump.
• Full-flow oil filter in the main gallery.
• Pressure relief valve integrated with or near the pump.

Concept / Approach:
The pickup (strainer) in the sump prevents large debris from entering the pump. The pump raises pressure and, if pressure is excessive (cold oil/high rpm), the relief valve bypasses flow to protect the system. Pressurized oil is then filtered and distributed through galleries first to the crankshaft and block, then up to the head for valvetrain lubrication, finally draining back by gravity to the pan.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Sump → Strainer: pre-screening.Pump: creates pressure.Relief valve: limits maximum pressure.Filter: removes fine contaminants.Galleries in block then head: supply bearings and valvetrain.Oil drains back to the pan.

Verification / Alternative check:
Service schematics of most engines show this flow; some designs combine the relief valve with the filter head, but the functional order remains.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Starting with the pump before the strainer risks pump damage.Routing to head before block inverts typical gallery priority.Random insertions (e.g., oil pan mid-pressure path) are incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing bypass filter paths (partial-flow) with full-flow systems used in most modern engines.

Final Answer:
oil strainer → oil pump → relief valve → oil filter → cylinder block → cylinder head → oil pan