Oil change and service frequency

[MCN]

***Warning Tef Post***

We use semi-synthetic Multi-grade Diesel Engine Oil in all our engines (Except petrols and some GM/Detroit 2Ts) The company specifically use ONLY Castrol CRB Turbomax 15w40

OEM spec is the simple way to go.

We have used 'in-country blended' oils but we recorded too many lube related failures during that phase. Probably over more than 10 years.

All the stuff related to lube is mainly statistical and needs strict controls in place to ensure data is worthy. It relies on 'Trends' to predict wear. It looks complex but with some help from our lab chaps, we can use it to great effect.

We work around a scheduled oil sampling (SOS) program but I know for a fact the procedures are not followed strictly/correctly at all our locations. That means the results sometimes must be taken with a pinch of salt or a large whiskey. Unless you are the person managing it. I explain to my guys what it all means and let them see the reports. Most of them take some ownership then and do the sampling diligently. Clean sampling from equipment that is in use etc. A Perfect sampling method is with a live sample system where lube is passed through the sample container as the equipment is running. No need to get dirty. Some of our gear uses particle counters for continuous monitoring. Those have alarms too. If the count gets too high all hell will break out in the office. (Not really. Not many folk know about it,)

We have in-house SOS, which is quite interesting to be involved in.
Basically, samples are burned and a light viewed through the 'smoke' The colours produced can be compared to a known spectrum for the elements in the oil.- All automated now-a-days by the sample machine bot (mass spectrometer).
That can find metals and other compounds that should be in the oil and some that should not be in the oil.
It detects the quantities of each 'detected' element too.
That data is used to get an idea of wear materials or pollutants in the oil.

We add about 15-20 litres of oil/week to the big engines. the engine sumps contain about 350 litres.
That process is a big consideration in predicting the oil life too. It is continuously 'partially' replaced during the service interval.

OEM recommendation 'was' to change oil at 1000hrs intervals.
A 200ltr drum @ about £500 ea. We use about 2 drums per engine, per service.

The company installed a special oil treatment device to help extend oil life.
Its more or less an additional filter. It has a desiccant material in a filter shape with an additive package inside that.

Water is very detrimental to oil as it damages the molecular bonds.

As little as 2% water can destroy a lubricants protective ability.

The additive package has some proprietary 'stuff' inside a fabric sock. Its a bag of salts. This part is the Ph Buffer. That maintains the TBN. Alkalinity. Acidic oil eats engine metal in a very short time.

The gist of it is.

We run our engines to 3000+ hours before we change the oil.

Even at 3000 hours the oil is always within grade and TBN never lower than 7.5 normally. Diesel engine oil will drastically break down and lose viscosity over time and TBN drops way below 3.5 (acidic).

Between the 3000hr oil change will will change the special filter 5 times and the lube filters about 6 times.

The savings are the cost of 1000 lts of oil between oil changes.

There are some variations due to component failures, especially injector problems. Fuel hurts oil.

The pic has two recent sample sheets. One for oil at 3000 hours.
We would normally change that oil now. There is no 'chemical' reason to change it but it has usually become too carbon-ated from soot.
So we drain and fill.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[sapstar]

Checked my manual. Looks like any 10w40 or 10w50 is fine. Went with Shell Advance ultra 10w-40 fully synthetic and a HF303RC filter.
Just got MOT done today and will book in brake fluid change soon. Should be all set for the summer .
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First/Current Bike - Kawasaki ER-6N