How To Compensate for Low Diesel Fuel Quality
Diesel fuel quality varies by location depending on the nature of the crude oil and refining practices.
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Showing posts with label diesel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diesel. Show all posts
Sunday, April 03, 2022
Low Quality Diesel Fuel Requires AMSOIL Diesel Fuel Additives
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Diesel Oil
AMSOIL Signature Series Synthetic Diesel Oil provides exceptional wear protection.
Friday, January 17, 2020
Motor Oil Color and Service Life
What Your Motor Oil Color Means
An object’s color can reveal a lot about its condition. A brown apple? Probably not great to eat. A slice of green bread? Same. What about motor oil color? Can your eyes provide insight into your oil’s suitability to protect your engine?
Does motor oil that’s turned black require changing?
Not necessarily. In this case, the oil’s color is a sign it’s doing its job.Oil naturally darkens during use for a couple reasons, including heat cycles. During your drive to work, your engine reaches normal operating temperature (typically 195ºF–220ºF [90ºC–104ºC]), heating the motor oil.
Then the oil cools while your car sits in the parking lot. The process repeats as you run errands over lunch and when you return home.
This continual daily exposure to increased heat naturally darkens the oil.
In addition, normal oxidation can darken oil.Oxidation occurs when oxygen molecules interact with oil molecules and cause chemical breakdown, just like how oxygen causes a cut apple to brown or iron to rust.
Soot also causes oil to turn black.
While we associate soot with diesels, today’s direct-injected gasoline engines can produce more soot than older diesels without exhaust-treatment devices. While individual soot particles are too small to cause engine wear, particles can agglomerate into larger wear-causing contaminants that can lead to wear before they lodge in the oil filter.
Just because the oil has darkened doesn’t necessarily mean it’s reached the end of its service life.
Motor oil contains detergent and dispersant additives designed to clean contaminants like soot and prevent them from depositing onto metal surfaces.Oil that has turned black is an indication the additives are doing their job. You can read more about that here.
What about motor oil that looks like chocolate milk?
In this case, motor oil color does reflect performance…and oil that looks like chocolate milk is bad. Very bad.Water or engine coolant have contaminated the oil, typically due to a head gasket leak.
We all know that water and oil don’t mix. When they combine in your engine, water droplets suspend in the oil and alter its appearance until it looks frothy or like chocolate milk.The presence of water leads to foam bubbles, which rupture when pulled between engine parts during operation, leaving metal components unprotected against wear.
It also forms sludge, which can clog oil passages and ruin the engine. In this case, see a mechanic as soon as possible.
What if my oil looks or feels thin?
While not related to motor oil color, this is another frequent question we field from motorists.Don’t take this the wrong way, but in this case go out to the garage and smell your dipstick.
Oil that has lost viscosity is often due to fuel dilution. You can usually smell gasoline or diesel fuel on the dipstick in such cases.
Fuel dilution occurs when gas or diesel wash past the piston rings and contaminate the oil in the sump. It reduces oil viscosity, which reduces the oil’s ability to prevent wear. It also leads to formation of harmful varnish and sludge.Fuel dilution can occur if you idle your engine excessively or due to a mechanical defect. It’s also common in some modern direct-injected engines.
It’s important to note that no one can precisely measure an oil’s viscosity simply by looking at it or rubbing a little between their fingers.
As Oil ANALYZERS INC. manager Allen Bender likes to ask, “When’s the last time you had your eyes calibrated?”Oil analysis in the only definitive way to determine the oil’s viscosity and whether it’s lost viscosity due to fuel dilution.
My oil feels gritty? Should I change it?
When checking oil level, some motorists like to rub oil between their fingers to check for particles.Grit or other contaminants can mean the oil has chemically broken down, but this is unlikely, especially with a top-shelf synthetic oil.
More likely, the oil filter has filled with contaminants and unfiltered oil is bypassing the filter and circulating through the engine.
The filter is designed with a bypass valve to ensure the engine receives oil even if the filter is full.While dirty oil is preferable to no oil, it’s not a long-term plan for success. In this case, change the oil and filter.
Trust oil analysis, not your eyes
While it’s possible to get a rough idea what’s going on inside your engine due to oil color, appearance or scent, you need to perform oil analysis to find out what’s really going on.By chemically analyzing a used-oil sample, a qualified lab can tell you if the oil contains excessive wear particles, water contamination, fuel dilution and more. Ultimately, the report will tell you if the oil is suitable for continued use or not.
It’s a cost-effective way to get the most out of your oil change…and your engine. Check out this post to see how to perform oil analysis.
Tuesday, April 08, 2014
AMSOIL Injector Clean
BAD FUEL FOULS INJECTORS
Keep them clean with Diesel Injector Clean
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Natural gas is an up-and-coming alternative to gasoline and diesel.
From stationary engines to heavy-duty equipment and even passenger cars, natural-gas engines are becoming more prominent.
Mark Nyholm | Technical Product Manager - Heavy Duty - AMSOIL Inc.Alternative fuels have been the talk of the town for over 10 years now, and the quest to reduce engine emissions, fuel costs and dependence on foreign oil often leads to fuels other than gasoline or diesel. Natural gas is one of these upand-
coming alternative fuels. For many of us, natural gas heats our homes and runs our stoves, water heaters and clothes dryers. This low-carbon fuel is making its way to powering a variety of natural gas engines for both stationary and vehicular applications. Compared to the relatively complex chemical structures of gasoline and diesel, natural gas has a relatively simple chemical makeup primarily composed of methane. When natural gas is burned, it produces fewer pollutant emissions than coal or petroleum products, which makes it a natural choice on the quest to reduce engine emissions.
Three varieties of natural gas are used: compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable natural gas (RNG) or biomethane. CNG is natural gas compressed into high-pressure containers for storage or transport. LNG is achieved by cooling natural gas to -260°F at atmospheric pressure. LNG is 1/600th the volume of natural gas at atmospheric temperature and pressure, making it ideal for applications that are
weight or space limited. Biomethane, or biogas, is a naturally occurring, renewable energy source created by the breakdown of organic matter, such as farm and landfill waste. This low-carbon organic waste can be processed to high-quality natural gas suitable for use in pipeline or a variety of stationary and vehicular engines.
Vehicular natural gas engines are used in many mobile applications, including public transit buses, refuse haulers, delivery trucks, school buses and many other medium-/heavy-duty trucks. Natural gas has even made its presence into a few small passenger vehicles such as the Honda Civic; and Ford, General Motors and Ram have natural-gas-powered light-duty pickup trucks. Because of the limitations in engine availability, the heavy-duty market is primarily where natural gas is being used today. The limited number of natural-gas filling stations has also put constraints on the expansion of applications outside of engines either directly connected to the natural-gas pipeline or to vehicles that return to base daily. So if you are looking for natural-gas-powered vehicles, think locally and look at medium- to heavy-duty applications performing duties similar to diesel-powered vehicles.
Nearly all the natural gas used in North America is produced domestically, allowing local control over the energy supply. The cost of natural gas is substantially less than diesel or gasoline, resulting in reduced fuel costs. Many cities and states are looking to natural gas for two main reasons: First, natural gas engines are much quieter than their diesel counterparts. An idling diesel engine can be up to 10 times louder than a natural-gas engine. Because these engines often operate in the public sector, reducing engine noise creates more peaceful environments for operators, passengers and bystanders alike. Second, natural gas produces lower levels of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions than diesel. Complying with the emissions regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has become essential to conducting business in North America.
Natural-gas engines have specific lubrication demands that differ from those of diesel and gasoline engines. AMSOIL continues to be at the forefront of natural gas engine lubrication and is involved in various natural-gas organizations. We have run multiple field trials proving our superior lubrication chemistry, and we continue to strive to improve lubrication for these engines through analytical and laboratory testing. AMSOIL Synthetic Vehicular Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGV) and AMSOIL Synthetic Stationary Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGS) both feature a low-ash formulation to minimize deposits that can lead to engine knocking and valve recession, while anti-wear additives provide excellent wear protection. Their thermal stability minimizes oxidation, and their low volatility reduces oil consumption. With oil analysis, both are proven for use in extended-drain-interval applications.
Although natural-gas vehicles currently represent a small percentage of the overall vehicle market, steady growth over the next decade is expected. A study from Pike Research (a research and consulting firm focusing on clean technology markets) forecasts worldwide sales of natural-gas trucks to grow at a compound annual growth rate (assuming a steady rate of growth much like the rate of return on an investment) of 14 percent between 2012 and 2019. The vehicular natural-gas market represents another arena of opportunity for AMSOIL Dealers, now and in the future. Remember, although these heavy-duty engines are similar to diesel engines, they do come with some very important differences that you should be aware of. Take a little time some evening and Google “natural-gas vehicles.” Prepare to be astonished at the quantity of information about natural gas that has made its way into our lifestyles already.
For more information on AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils including Synthetic Natural Gas Engine Oil and Synthetic Diesel Oils.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
After 1.6 Million Miles 18 Wheeler Shows No Signs of Quitting
After 1.6 million miles on the original drivetrain and 1.1 million on the factory-rebuilt engine, Jerry Pruett and his AMSOIL-lubed Kenworth show no signs of retiring.
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The mileage is even more impressive considering how little work the truck has required. The Detroit Diesel Reliabilt® engine still has virtually all of its original components, including the turbo and fuel injectors. The truck accumulates 2,300-3,000 miles a week hauling loads averaging 27,000-35,000 pounds, with some up to 80,000.
The reliability of the drivetrain is also notable. Though the clutch has been replaced a couple times, the transmission hasn't been touched. "I've done nothing to the transmission. All the gears in it are at 1.6 million miles," said Pruett. The differential gears are also original to the truck.
Pruett runs SAE 60 Super Heavy Weight Synthetic Racing Oil (AHR) in the transmission. He uses Severe Gear® SAE 190 Synthetic Gear Lube (SRN) in the differentials, although AMSOIL primarily recommends 75W-90 Long Life Synthetic Gear Lube (FGR) in over-the-road applications. "A little bit thicker oil couldn't hurt with the high miles," said Pruett.
AMSOIL Helps Increase Life of Defective Engine
The truck was originally equipped with a Detroit Diesel engine that, unknown to Pruett, contained a manufacturing defect known to cause catastrophic failure early in the engine's service life. Pruett initially installed Shell Rotella during the break-in period. "I wanted the rings to seat prior to switching to AMSOIL," he said. At about 140,000 miles, he installed Series 3000 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel Oil (HDD).With 506,000 miles on the engine, the number three piston failed. "In talking with the mechanics, I found out there was a defect on these engines, and some blew around 300,000 to 375,000 miles," said Pruett. "In one instance, a rod came through the engine and punctured the computer. I felt my engine lasted as long as it did because of AMSOIL." When the mechanics removed the cylinder heads, the original hone marks were still visible on the cylinder walls. "The mechanic said the engine was not wearing out; the oil was doing a great job. Had it not been for the piston failure, it could have run forever."
Detroit Diesel Reliabilt® Engine
Despite the engine warranty having expired 6,000 miles earlier, Pruett presented his case to Detroit Diesel. "I felt Detroit Diesel was taking advantage of me. Other guys using any old oil were receiving warranty coverage because their engines failed sooner. I told them I was using the best oil in the world and, because of that, the engine lasted longer," said Pruett. "To have that engine last past the warranty was a surprise to them, I think." Detroit Diesel agreed to provide Pruett a factory-overhauled engine at cost, in addition to $4,500 for installation.The factory-rebuilt engine has since powered the truck for 1.1 million miles, requiring virtually no repairs. "I haven't even pulled the cylinder head off this thing," Pruett said. "I didn't replace the water pump until accumulating over 900,000 miles. Usually a water pump lasts 350,000 miles on a good day." As with the previous engine, Pruett installed Shell Rotella during the break-in period prior to switching to Series 3000 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel Oil.
The lone repair required was replacement of the camshaft at about 100,000 miles, barely out of the break-in period when still using Shell Rotella. Pruett believes the camshaft was original to the engine and not replaced when the engine was factory re-built by Detroit Diesel.
With close to 800,000 miles on the engine, Pruett switched to higher-viscosity 15W-40 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Oil (AME) to guard against excess oil consumption common as engines age.
During a routine 31-point inspection completed when Pruett had a faulty sensor replaced, the mechanic remarked how nice the turbo looked. "They thought it had only been in for a couple months," said Pruett. "It was 12 years old." Pruett credits the Donaldson Endurance™ Heavy-Duty Air Filter for the turbo's longevity. "I was sold on the air filter from day one," he said. "Throttle response was quicker, it boosted the horsepower a little bit and turbo noise decreased."
100,000-mile Oil Changes
Pruett also uses the AMSOIL DUAL GARD® By-Pass Oil Filtration System fitted with two EaBP110 By-Pass Oil Filters. Regular oil analysis continually indicated the oil was suitable for continued use, allowing Pruett to establish an oil change interval of once per year, or about every 100,000 miles, based on historical data. The EaBP110 By-Pass Oil Filters are changed twice a year, or about every 50,000 miles. Practicing extended drain intervals saves a considerable amount of money each year compared to using conventional oil and standard drain intervals. "Some guys are spending up to $1,200 a year on oil changes when they could be spending half that with AMSOIL," said Pruett. "They're throwing their money away."Excellent Fuel Economy
Additional savings are realized each time Pruett fills his diesel tanks. "The truck really kind of scares me; it runs so good. I'm still getting about 7 mpg," said Pruett. During a run from Indianapolis, Ind. to St. Louis, Mo., the truck achieved 9.7 mpg. "The truck is capable of that mileage if I can just keep my foot out of it," said Pruett. He has used AMSOIL Diesel Concentrate (ADF) since day one, which not only helps fuel economy but, according to Pruett, has contributed to the fuel injectors lasting as long as they have. He also keeps AMSOIL Cold Flow Improver (ACF) on hand and uses it when conditions dictate.No End in Sight
Pruett's truck serves as a rolling billboard for AMSOIL. It's covered in AMSOIL decals, along with the contact information for Pruett's AMSOIL Dealership. He shares his AMSOIL story with truckers at every opportunity. Pruett turns 62 in January and has thought about retiring, but, unfortunately for him, his truck has not. "I really want to see how far this truck can go, so I keep on trucking away."
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