From "The Lubrication Engineers Manual"

When a new lubricant is being considered, several important factors come into play. First, do the laboratory test results reported by the supplier equal or exceed those of the product in service? Can the supplier provide evidence of satisfactory performance in similar equipment? Does the equipment builder know anything about the new product?

Cost is another consideration in the selection of a new lubricant. If using a low-priced lubricant causes unsatisfactory performance, the lubricant becomes an expensive item. Therefore, select a product whose performance and price are in line. When compatibility is not a problem and performance specifications are used to qualify products from various suppliers, price may be the determining factor.

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Our Message Boards are always buzzing great conversations on interesting topics. Here's a question that has generated some great responses:

What methods other than

1. Redesigning a cooler
2. Change to synthetic
3. Maintaining proper bearing clearance
4. Taking off the oil tank heater etc.

- are suggested for high oil temperature?
- How can we bring down the temperature down to optimum <82 deg. C from 105 deg. C?

If your answer is 'to increase the frequency of oil changes', then what efficient methods are recommended to combat the consequent problems like oxidation or varnish formation?

Read the responses or respond to this question.

"A mechanic asked us what he should use to take a quality sample from a crankcase on a diesel engine. He was concerned that draining the oil from the sump of a engine would negatively bias the sample toward a higher-than-normal wear debris analysis and/or particle count. Your thoughts?"

The best way to sample a diesel engine is to install a sampling valve on the main pressure feed, somewhere between the oil pump and full-flow filter.

Many newer engines, particularly CAT, have these pre-installed. You didn't mention the engine types, but I know that CAT will provide engine specific recommendations, and I'm sure other OEMs would do the same.

There are several different types of valves available, however we prefer what is generally called a minimess in oil analysis (actually a Stauff series 20 hydraulic test fitting).

If you cannot install a sample valve, drain sampling is not recommended. Instead, use a vacuum sampling gun and nylon tube, and insert through the dipstick. To ensure you don't sample sludge from the bottom of the crankcase, we also recommend using the dispstick to measure the tube length - typically cutting the tube 10 inches longer than the dipstick and inserting 1/2 inch shorter than the dipstick length will give a correct measure.

We also suggest cutting the tube end at an angle again to avoid bottom sampling. While this procedure works and will give reasonably reliable data, you did indicate you were doing particle counting, in which case I would strongly encourage you to install an appropriate sample valve.

Mark Barnes, Noria Corporation

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