Engine Inspection Findings
The engine showed light to moderate wear throughout, just as an engine in similar service and lubricated with conventional oil changed at 15,000 to
20,000 mile intervals would show. In fact, according to the engine rater the parts he examined -- cylinder liners, pistons, rings, bearings, valve train components --could have been put right back in the engine and would have continued to provide the good, dependable service they had provided all along -- after 409,000 miles without an oil change!
Discussion
Many factors enable AMSOIL to be safely used 20 times longer than petroleum oils may be used.
Stability -- AMSOIL Synthetic Heavy-Duty Diesel and Marine 15W-40 Motor Oil is far less prone to thermal and oxidative breakdown than are petroleum oils. Stability inhibits the formation of carbon deposits, varnish, sludge and acids, which helps the engine run clean and protected.
Neutralization ability -- While rapid TBN loss often renders conventional oils unfit for continued use, 12 Total Base Number (TBN) AMSOIL Synthetic Heavy-Duty Diesel and Marine 15W-40 Motor Oil offers lasting protection against engine corrosion.
Viscosity retention -- Some conventional oils' viscosity slips out of specification within a few thousand miles of an oil change. AMSOIL Synthetic Heavy-Duty Diesel and Marine 15W-40 Motor Oil neither loses viscosity as shear-prone oils do, which promotes wear during high temperature operations, nor gains viscosity as oxidation-prone oils do, which promotes wear during startup and cold temperature operations.
Amsoil Fleet Demonstrations
Gray's successful use of AMSOIL synthetic motor oil in extended drain service is not unique. AMSOIL has conducted demonstrations with fleets all over North America.
In each instance AMSOIL has been proven safe and effective in extended drain use. In fact, these studies showed that AMSOIL used in extended drain interval programs consistently delivered lower rates of engine wear than conventional oils used in conventional drain interval programs.
Southern over-the-road fleet. AMSOIL was used in Cummins class 8 engines for 75,000 mile drain intervals, the fleet's normal drain intervals were 15,000 miles.
Upper Midwest grocery fleet. AMSOIL was used in Cummins NTC 350 engines for 74,000 mile drain intervals; normal drain intervals were 12,000 miles.
Northern grocery fleet. AMSOIL was used in Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines for 79,000 mile drain intervals; normal drain intervals were 20,000 miles.
Virginia Beach, Virginia owner/operator. AMSOIL was used in Cummins 350 engine for 325,350 miles without a drain.
Midwestern trucking fleet. AMSOIL was used in Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines for 60,000 mile drain intervals; normal drain intervals were 20,000 miles.
Northern tier over-the-road fleet. In an ongoing demonstration, AMSOIL is being used in a fleet of Cummins N-14 engines for extended drain service with oil drains based on the findings of used oil analysis. One change was performed with 125,000 miles on the AMSOIL. Normal oil drains are done at 20,000 miles.
What Makes AMSOIL So Good?
"The best Synthetic basestocks, top-quality additives, and most importantly, more experience formulating synthetic motor oils than any other oil company," says AMSOIL Director of Technical Sales Dave Anderson.
Does AMSOIL Offer a Warranty?
"Yes. AMSOIL warrants that the use of its lubricants will not cause mechanical damage to any mechanically sound equipment when AMSOIL products are used in full compliance with AMSOIL recommendations.
"AMSOIL recommends standard extended drain intervals for each product and application or drains determined according to the findings of used oil analysis, like Haywood Gray's are. Either way, diesel operators who use AMSOIL for extended drains are fully protected.
"Studies have proven time and again that extended drain intervals with AMSOIL are a win/win situation-- truckers win with less downtime and oil expense and they win big with reduced engine wear."
AMSOIL Synthetic Heavy-Duty Diesel and
Marine 15W-40 Motor Oil Aces Test!
Haywood Gray has his used oil tested regularly to ensure the ongoing serviceability of the oil and well-being of the engine.
In the engine oil report card, wear metals tell the whole story. A high wear metal content indicates a high rate of engine wear. In fact, most engine manufacturers publish upper limits on wear metals content at which an oil must be changed to assure continued engine protection.
Even after 409,000 miles, AMSOIL protected better than Mack limits required. Now that's protection!
What is Oil Analysis?
Oil analysis is a maintenance management tool that allows users to monitor equipment condition for maximum equipment life, maximum lubricant drain interval length and optimal downtime scheduling. Oil analysis saves users significant money by reducing equipment replacements and repairs, reducing the volume of lubricant purchased and destined for disposal and, most of all, by reducing downtime.
Customers like Haywood Gray "trendline" their oil analyses. Trendlining involves comparing the results of previous oil analysis reports to those of the most recent report to establish trends in wear metals content, viscosity, acid content, acid neutralization ability and other characteristics as specified. Departures from established trends indicate a change in engine or lubricant condition and the information they provide may be used to correct abnormal conditions before they cause damage or failure.
AMSOIL Ea™ and Donaldson Endurance™ full flow oil filters are designed for extended drain intervals. They stop smaller particles, have less restriction and last longer than regular filters. For best performance, use AMSOIL Ea or Donaldson Endurance oil filters. AMSOIL by-pass oil filters are specialized for the removal of small, wear-causing dirt particles, thereby extending engine life. AMSOIL encourages using an AMSOIL bypass filter system for maximum engine and oil life.
Oil Analyzers Inc., 715-395-0222, is a division of AMSOIL that provides cost effective, quality oil analysis services. The AMSOIL oil analysis program puts technologically advanced testing equipment in the hands of experienced diagnosticians to deliver accurate, reliable, useful results.
|
