Drop of knowledge #7

Ecol laboratory – what happened in July?

1. 1. Testing of passenger car engine oils – Project Fleet 🡪
2. 2. New Ecol laboratory training for the rail industry 🡪
3. 3. Knowledge base ecol.eu 🡪
4. 4. Upcoming conferences we are participating in 🡪
5. 5. Element of the month 🡪

1. Testing of passenger car engine oils – Project Fleet

We often wonder whether the oil change interval required by the car manufacturer is correct, or whether it should be shortened? In a series of articles on engine oil testing, we will try to answer the questions:

• What are typical wear element values and their limits?
• How many kilometres can we drive on oil?
• What is the optimum test range for engine oil from a passenger car?

The analysis was carried out using different engine oils and cars with different characteristics (displacement, horsepower, etc.) from the Ecol car fleet and private cars of Ecol employees. The project is still in progress.

At the moment, more than 100 samples have been tested!

🧪During the research, we took into account:

• car model
• engine,
• total mileage
• mileage between oil changes,
• type of use including: short journeys <10km, urban driving, off-road driving 60-90km/h, motorway driving >110km/h.
• oil used – collection of reference samples.

📝What parameters are worth testing in motor oils?

• Kinematic viscosity at 100°C [EN ISO 3104:2021-03].
• Kinematic viscosity at 40°C [EN ISO 3104:2021-03].
• Viscosity index [PN-ISO 2909:2009+ Ap1:2010].
• Elements (calcium, magnesium, boron, zinc, phosphorus, barium, molybdenum, sulfur, krze, potassium, sodium, lithium, titanium, iron, chromium, tin, aluminum, nickel, copper, lead, antimony, manganese, vanadium, silver) [ASTM D5185-18].
• PQ Index [ASTM D8184-18].
• Acid number [ASTM D664-18e2].
• Alkaline number [PN-ISO 3771:2012].
• I-pH [PB 07.32.00_01].
• FTIR diagram (including determination of oxidation, nitration, sulphation, qualitative glycol content and soot content) [ASTM E2412-23a].
• Water content met. K. F. [PB 07.31.00/01].
• Flash point of the sealed crucible [EN ISO 2719:2016-08+A1:2021-06

The above scope allows not only a general evaluation of the condition of the oil and its suitability for further use, but also an assessment of the wear and tear processes taking place in our cars.  

Which test to start with? The elements!

Elemental testing is able to detect increased wear processes at an early stage and, depending on the elements detected, attribute them to specific engine components. In addition to this, the test also offers the possibility of detecting coolant or other contaminants entering the oil in excessive quantities. This information can be particularly useful when, for example, purchasing a used car or managing a fleet of company cars.

Follow our progress on the project in future articles!

2. New Ecol laboratory training for the rail industry

Join us for a specialised training course on key issues related to the operation of lubricants in locomotives.

The training is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge and acquire practical skills that will directly improve the functioning and durability of engines and hydraulic systems.

During our workshops, you will gain valuable theoretical knowledge and practical tips on how to avoid the most common problems and effectively diagnose failures.

3. Knowledge base ecol.eu: aircraft engine piston oil analysis

A new article discussing the new Guideline No. 3 of the President of the Civil Aviation Authority has appeared in the knowledge base on ecol.eu. The article can be found at the link:

➡️ Spectrometric analysis of aircraft engine piston oil

We also encourage you to check out the other entries in our knowledge base.

4. Element of the month

Boron (B, Latin: borium) –  boron is an additive commonly used in detergents and is found in some EP (extreme pressure) or AW (anti-wear) additive chemicals.

When should an increase in the level of boron in oil be alarming? Only when the boron level deviates by more than 25% of the fresh oil reference value, and the most likely cause is mixing with another lubricant.

The presence of boron can also be the result of a coolant leak, often in correlation with sodium and/or potassium – these elements are present due to additives used in many coolants. 

In flame tests, boron burns bright green. Because of this property, it is used in the manufacture of fireworks.