FS Lubricants Oil Analysis Program
What can an oil analysis do for you? 1. Establish safe and proper drain intervals. 2. Provide a reduction in unforeseen breakdowns. 3. Reduce down time. 4. Minimize the number of oil changes and labor costs. 5. Provide overall maintenance savings. 6. Provide longer equipment life. 7. Eliminate unnecessary overhauls. 8. Provide support for equipment warranty claims. How an engine oil does its job In an internal combustion engine, the engine oil is contained in the sump, or crankcase. The oil pump draws the oil through a screen, which strains out large foreign particles, then forces it through a filter, which removes smaller contaminants. The filtered oil then circulates through passages drilled in the engine block to bearings, the valve mechanism, and to the pistons and cylinder walls before returning to the sump. A bypass valve ensures that oil will still reach engine parts if the filter becomes clogged. In some older engines, lubrication may be accomplished in part by splashing caused by rotation of the crankshaft in the oil. During its circulation through the engine, the oil serves to lubricate parts, keep the engine free of rust and deposits, seal the piston rings and valves against leakage of combustion gases, and cool hot internal surfaces. Additives greatly enhance an oil s ability to prevent excessive wear and deposit build up and resist pre-mature oxidation and deterioration at high temperatures.
Sampling procedure There are basically three ways to obtain a representative sample of used oil from an engine: 1. Drain Plug Method 2. Sample Gun Method 3. Petcock Method The drain plug method is generally the most convenient way to take a sample. Drain the oil while the engine is warm. Loosen the drain plug and let a small amount of oil into the drain pan before catching the sample to be sent to the laboratory. This ensures that any contamination surrounding the drain plug will not be present in the sample and influence the test results. Regardless of which method is used, be absolutely certain to take the sample after the engine has been operated at normal operating temperature for several hours. We recommend retaining a portion of the sample for future reference. DO NOT TAKE SAMPLES FROM THE DRAIN PAN
1-800-798-6457 FS Lubricants DIST #: 1001 MAIL TO: American Trucking Company ATTN: Joe Mechanic 123 Main Street United States, USA 12345 SMART Oil Analysis Report Scheduled Maintenance And Routine Testing MACHINE INFORMATION Unit #: 800 Sample #: 42 Oil Type: FS Component: Engine SAE: 15w40 Unit Make/Model: Kenworth W900 L Fuel Type: Diesel Comp. Make/Model: Cat 3406E 475 Coolant Type: Antifreeze Date Sample Taken CURRENT SAMPLE SAMPLE INFORMATION WEAR METAL ANALYSIS PHYSICAL TESTS Hrs./Mi. on Unit Hrs./Mi. on Oil Quarts Oil Added Pb Lead Cu Copper Fe Iron Cr Chromium Sn Tin Si Silicon Al Aluminum Soot Oxidation Nitration ZDDP depletion Water Fuel Antifreeze 6/3/10 1013207 21991 0 8 3 12 2 1 3 2 1.2 5.2 4.8 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 15.2 Viscosity 100 cst Comments: All tests appear normal. Sample tested along with information given indicate an interval extension, of 500 miles or 25 hours (to the maximum set by your maintenance program), is recommended.
Date Sample Taken TRENDING HISTORY SAMPLE INFORMATION WEAR METAL ANALYSIS PHYSICAL TESTS Hrs./Mi. on Unit Hrs./Mi. on Oil Quarts Oil Added Pb Lead Cu Copper Fe Iron Cr Chromium Sn Tin Si Silicon Al Aluminum Soot Oxidation Nitration ZDDP depletion Water Fuel Antifreeze 6/3/10 1013207 21991 0 8 3 12 2 1 3 2 1.2 5.2 4.8 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 15.2 3/24/10 991216 22380 1 1 0 14 1 0 1 0 0.8 6.9 6.0 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 15.0 1/14/10 968836 20678 1 0 1 15 1 0 1 0 1.0 0.0 0.0 6.1 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 14.8 10/27/09 948158 23158 1 0 0 16 0 0 3 0 1.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 14.9 8/11/09 925000 19273 1 5 0 10 1 0 5 0 0.9 3.0 2.1 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 14.3 6/21/09 905727 20567 0 0 0 15 0 0 2 1 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.8 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 15.1 4/30/09 885160 22404 1 5 1 18 1 0 2 2 0.5 1.4 4.8 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 15.0 2/25/09 862756 21069 0 5 2 14 0 1 1 2 0.7 0.0 0.3 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 14.9 12/31/08 841687 19271 1 2 1 19 1 0 3 1 1.2 1.4 4.3 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 14.2 11/3/08 822416 21674 1 4 3 18 1 0 2 2 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 13.9 8/30/08 800742 21062 0 0 0 14 1 1 2 0 0.9 3.6 4.5 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 15.1 7/1/08 779680 20489 0 0 2 13 1 0 1 2 0.9 0.0 0.0 1.3 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 14.9 4/30/08 759191 20331 1 3 1 17 0 2 5 1 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 14.7 3/4/08 738860 19155 1 1 1 11 1 1 3 0 1.3 6.0 6.0 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 14.5 1/8/08 719705 19138 1 0 4 16 0 3 10 0 0.8 6.0 6.0 0.0 <0.3 0.0 <0.1 13.8 Viscosity 100 cst CURRENT SAMPLE IS INCLUDED IN TRENDING SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR TEST EXPLANATIONS Analyst: Jeff Kerwin The above analysis is intended as an aid in predicting mechanical wear. No guarantee, expressed or implied, is made against failure of this component.
Realize the full benefit that used oil analysis has to offer! Inspect sample bottle for contamination. Samples should be taken at or near normal operating temperature. Take samples in the same manner from the same point each time. Provide complete and accurate information on the sample label provided. Be on a regular and continuous sampling program. Cut open and inspect oil filters each time. (particles seen by the naked eye are too large for analysis and may indicate imminent failure) Test Explanations Wear Metals Interpretation of used oil analysis is based upon trending. Therefore, to interpret the condition of a component properly, a history of tests is required. However, when no history is available, the general rating system listed below is useful. Level Allowed Lead: Overlay on bearings 40 Copper: Iron: Chromium: Bearing and bearing cushion wear; Additive in some oils 40 Crankshaft; Cylinder walls; Rings; Sleeves or Valve train 100 Chromed parts such as: Piston rings or Valve stems 20 Tin: Overlay on bearings 40 Silicon: Dirt is a very abrasive element, and high levels contribute to excessive wear and shortened component life. Additive in some oils 20 Aluminum: Piston and bearings 40
Physical Test Physical Test The following tests are performed on a FT-IR spectrophotometer. The used oil is compared to the unused oil, therefore, it is essential that the laboratory have, on file, an analysis of the fresh (unused) oil. When no such reference oil is provided, the computer uses a best match to determine the results. Soot: Oxidation: Nitration: ZDDP depletion: Water: Fuel: Antifreeze: Viscosity: The quantity of fuel soot is an excellent indicator of combustion efficiency. It also indicates injector malfunctions, air intake restrictions, over loading or excessive idling. Results are reported in absorbance/ centimeter (). The amount of oil oxidation is an excellent measure of the effective service life of the oil. It also indicates internal overheating and extended drain interval (aging). Results are reported in absorbance/ centimeter (). Nitration is a measure of the nitrogen compounds in the oil resulting from blow-by past the compression rings. It also indicates improper air/fuel ratio and low operating temperature. Results are reported in absorbance/centimeter (). Zinc Diothiophosphate is an additive in the oil that provides a protective film. High levels of depletion indicate that the additive is being used up. Results are reported in absorbance/centimeter (). Water in the oil prevents proper lubrication and causes sludge formation. It also indicates coolant leaks and condensation due to low operating temperatures or inadequate crankcase ventilation. Results are reported when the level exceeds 0.3. Fuel dilution is the primary cause of oil thinning and greatly reduces lubricating ability. It also indicates leaking fuel pump and fuel lines, excessive idling, and defective injectors. Manufacturers recommend corrective action when levels exceed 4.0. Ethylene glycol in oil causes serious varnish and sludge formation. It also indicates loose or cracked head, leaking gaskets, sleeve seals or oil cooler. Results are reported when the level exceeds 0.1. Viscosity measures a lubricant s resistance to flow. Changes in viscosity indicate improper servicing, dilution or contamination, and lubricant breakdown in service. Differences in viscosity, from the stated, can be caused from using the incorrect oil at service fill or makeup additions. Oil may thin due to shear in multi-viscosity oils or by fuel dilution. Oil also may thicken from oxidation or from contamination by antifreeze. Test results are reported in centistokes (cst).
FS Lubricants 1-800-798-6457 For availability and further details contact your local FS Member Cooperative or: GROWMARK Lubricants 2200 South Avenue Council Bluffs, IA 51503 2011 GROWMARK, Inc. The FS logo is a trademark of GROWMARK, Inc. Item #227214 P12066