Gas Engine Analysis
NOTE: THESE CHARTS ARE FOR GENERAL USE ONLY AND DO NOT INDICATE DEFINITE LIMITS
OF WEAR METALS FOR ANY SPECIFIC MAKE OR MODEL. Wear patterns are best established
after evaluation of three samples taken at the same oil change intervals. Make model,
application, age, makeup oil added, time of use or recent repairs can cause the values to
vary greatly from those shown. Values are given in parts per million (PPM). Spectral
analysis of wear metals is limited to detection of particles 5 microns and smaller.
| SUGGESTED SAFE WEAR LEVELS (Expressed in parts per million) |
| Natural Gas Engine |
15 parts per million |
| Silicon (Dirt) |
15 parts per million |
| Iron |
23 parts per million |
| Chromium |
3 parts per million |
| Aluminum |
4 parts per million |
| Copper |
80 parts per million |
| Sodium |
50 parts per million |
| Potassium |
50 parts per million |
| Lead |
9 parts per million |
| Tin |
10 parts per million |
| Primary Element |
Secondary Elements |
Potential Wear |
Problem Area & Causes |
| Silicon (Dirt) |
Aluminum |
Pistons, Rings, Liners |
Air Induction System filters, Turbocharger Breathers, Contamination - Dirt |
| Iron |
|
Liners, Pistons, Crankshafts
Valves, Gear Train |
Contamination - Dirt, Abnormal Temperatures,
Lack of lubrication, Storage (rust) |
| Chromium |
Molybdenum |
Piston Rings |
Blow-by, Oil consumption |
| Aluminum |
Chromium |
Pistons & Rings |
Blow-by |
| Aluminum or Copper |
Lead, Tin |
Bearings |
Low or fluctuating oil pressure |
| Sodium |
Silicon, Boron |
Cooling System |
Water Pump, Cylinder Head, Liner Seals, Oil Cooler, Anti-freeze |
| Silver |
|
Wrist-pin Bushings |
Due to use of zinc based oil |
| Iron |
Chromium
Aluminum |
Piston Rings
Liners |
Abnormal operating temperature - dirt
Restricted air induction system |
| Lead - Tin |
Copper, Aluminum |
Bearing |
Dirt contamination, Lack of lubricant |
| OIL FORMULATION ADDITIVES |
| BORON, SILICON, MOLYBDENUM |
LUBE OIL ADDITIVE |
| CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM |
LUBE OIL DETERGENT |
| ZINC (ZDP), CALCIUM |
OXIDATION AND WEAR INHIBITOR |
VISCOSITY
A viscosity increase of 3 centistokes or more over new oil will be cause for condemning
the oil. Actual centistokes readings are shown on the report.
INFRARED ANALYSIS
Nitration warning on levels exceeding 100% allowable
Oxidation warning on levels exceeding 100% allowable
I.R. Readings are derived from spectral comparison between the new/used oil. The oil brand
& type information must be submitted with samples.
TOTAL ACID/BASE NUMBER (TAN/TBN)
TAN should not exceed 4
TBN warning on values less than 50% of the original value
WATER AND GLYCOL
Water contamination in excess of 0.5% or any indication of glycol would be cause to
condemn the oil.
These general guidelines may be exceeded as long as viscosity does
not go above the 3 centistokes increase. Common sense must apply, however, and the oil may
be condemned based upon extreme readings from any one of these guidelines.
Surrey Oil Lab
Phone (604) 881-2950 Fax (604) 881-2955
Edmonton Lab
Phone (780) 443-7240 Fax (780) 443-7230