30/08/2023
The Dangers of Degraded Lubricant Oil on Engines
Role of Lubricant Oil in Engine Functioning
Lubricant oil is in fact a mixture of additives, essential oils, with the following five functions in an engine:
1. It regulates the friction between the bearing surfaces.
2. Prevents metal-to-metal contact and reduces engine wear.
3. Helps in the dissipation of heat generated by fluid friction and limits the temperature.
4. Flushes out debris between moving parts and prevents corrosion.
5. Prevents mechanical shock in gears.
Properties of Degraded Lubricant Oil
Degraded lubricant oil refers to oil that undergoes physical and chemical changes over time, decreasing the quality and efficiency of the lubricant oil The following are the potential consequences of degraded lubricant
Oxidation
Oxidation may occur because of oxygen or heat. The heat generated from metal-metal friction due to improper lubrication or other conditions results in the separation of atoms in oxygen molecules. Oxidation occurs when individual oxygen atoms come into contact with lubricant oil, forming certain acids contributing to oil degradation.
Oxidation causes sludge, varnish, base oil breakdown, increased viscosity, additive depletion, and loss of the oil’s anti-foaming properties. Increased viscosity is an indicator of degraded lubricant.
Thermal Breakdown
Increasing the oil temperature by 10 °C reduces the oil life by half. Excessive heating and the consequent cracking cause decreased viscosity, molecular shearing, and polymerization.
In most cases, decreased viscosity is the primary indicator of thermal degradation rather than increased viscosity during oxidation. The shearing of molecules volatilizes them and leaves no deposits, resulting in dehydrogenation and the production of coke deposits and lacquers.
It is a pressure-induced thermal breakdown caused by a sudden increase in temperature and adiabatic compression of air bubbles in the oil that circulates in pressurized systems, pumps, and others, leading to oil failure.
When the engine’s compressive pressure reaches 250 psi, owing to its operation, the temperature increases to greater than 200 °C, initiating thermal failure. Thermal degradation occurs when sufficient oxygen is unavailable. Consequently, different end products are formed during oxidation and thermal degradation.
Micro-dieseling generates tar, soot, and sludge owing to its high pressure. Additionally, the varnish is made from carbon-insoluble materials, such as coke, tars, and resins, with low implosion pressures.
Electrostatic Spark Discharge (ESD)
This induces temperatures above 10,000 °C, producing different deposits. In the advanced stages, the formation of sludge, varnish, insoluble materials, and elevated fluid degradation are observed. Many people hear cracking noises and observe the burnt membranes on oil filters during ESD.
Contamination
When lubricant oil comes into contact with dirt or metal particles, the lubricant becomes contaminated. Contaminated particles expedite lubricant degradation by acting as catalysts.
Additive Depletion
This occurs when additives swiftly drop out of the oil and react with the other components. For example, organic deposits (rust and oxidation additives) drop out and react to generate the major antioxidants that show up in oil analysis.
Adverse Effects of Degraded Lubricant Oil on Engine Performance
When the lubricant oil degrades, the ability of the oils to perform the above functions diminishes, resulting in the following negative consequences:
1. The degradation of lubricant oil reduces its ability to form a protective film between metal parts, resulting in increased metal-metal friction, increasing the wear and tear of the engine components.
2. Degraded oil has low lubrication and high viscosity, reducing friction less efficiently. This affects fuel economy and engine efficiency.
3. Degraded lubricant oil has reduced heat dissipation capabilities, thus increasing the engine's temperature.
4. The degraded oil restricts adequate lubrication of engine parts owing to the clogging of oil passages by combustion by-products.
5. Degraded lubricant oil does not sufficiently protect the engine from corrosion or oxidation.
6. The reduced efficiency, increased friction, and overheating of the engine reduce its performance.
The performance of the oil is reduced by three factors:
1- Consumption of additives in the oil 2- Adherence of additives to soot particles 3- The breakdown of oil.
Conclusion/Remedial action
Degraded lubricant oil has a significant negative effect on the performance of the engine, mainly because of the formation of soot-like material owing to the breakdown of the lubricant oil that gets stuck to the engine parts.
Tunap Compensates the above mention problems via the use of the Professional 155 Motor System
The Professional 115 Motor System is concentrate refill with OMC2 formula for safeguarding the full efficacy of the engine oil over the entire inspection interval.
Suitable for all mineral and synthetic engine oils. Brings partially used engine oil active agents back to full fresh-oil performance. Lower oil shortages are compensated by this.
Properties ✔ Reduces the friction resistance due to the OMC2 formula ✔ Cleans the whole oil circuit up to the critical piston ring zone ✔ Unblocks resinified piston rings ✔ Protects against corrosion ✔ Neutralises aggressive combustion acids ✔ Reduces wear caused by friction ✔ Improves intake Application area ✔ Preventive, as refill concentrate ✔ Complies with the highest API and CCMC synthetic oil standards Instructions Top up the used engine oil (max. 10% of the engine oil filling quantity). Dosing Sufficient for 4.5 litres of engine oil
