Engine Oil Analysis
What is Engine Oil?
Engine oil is a lubricant used to improve the performance and life of internal combustion engines, reducing friction and protecting the parts of the engine.
What are the critical functions of engine oil?
- Prevent engine overheating,
- Minimizing friction between moving parts
- Keeping the engine clean
What are the benefits of a good quality engine oil?
- Makes the engine run more efficiently.
- Allows it to consume less fuel.
- Helps protect against abrasion.
Why Engine Oil Analysis is Performed
Engine oil analyses are important methods for obtaining information about the condition of the oil and the overall health of the engine. As the oil runs inside the engine, it becomes contaminated, its viscosity changes and may contain metal particles due to wear. These analyses provide detailed information about the engine's operating conditions, allowing early detection of potential failures. In addition, engine oil analysis is performed for the following reasons:
- Monitoring Engine Performance: Abrasive particles in the oil can indicate excessive engine wear. This data is used to monitor whether the engine is running properly.
- Determining Maintenance Time: Determining when it is time to change the engine oil improves fuel efficiency and prolongs engine life.
- Reduce Costs: Early detection of problems prevents major engine damage, which reduces repair and maintenance costs in the long run.
Although oil analysis was originally used as a predictive maintenance tool for engines, it is still a widely used method to guarantee the reliability of engine systems. Most mobile equipment worldwide, such as locomotives, cars, mining equipment, trucks, agricultural equipment, buses, as well as oil and gas exploration rigs, stationary backup power generators and pipeline compression stations, are powered by reciprocating internal combustion engines.
Engine oil must be changed before it loses its ability to adequately perform its intended functions in an engine. In turn, changing the oil prematurely or frequently can result in a large cost and environmental impact. In rotary internal combustion engines (RICE), the oil becomes contaminated gradually, which can vary with age, load factor, environment, duty cycle and fuel types.
In general, engine oils contain additive packages of alkaline components and detergents to neutralize acids formed by fuel combustion. Depletion of the additives will come to a point where the combination of additive and oil cannot adequately protect the engine. It is important to know the type of contaminant in the oil, as it often provides indications of engine condition to allow a more direct solution to take corrective action.
Oil analyses offer information regarding the extent of this contamination and the associated oil degradation status.
