1. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005
Edwin Leber, GME Engineering, Central Laboratories
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
1

2. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
Content
• Reasons for the need of oil analysis
• Significant analysis parameters for engine oils
- Test methods and equipment
- Influencing parameters
• Practical examples from field and bench tests
• Summary
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
2

3. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
Reasons for the need of oil analysis
• Engine development / Monitoring of bench and fleet tests
• Definition of oil change interval
• In-country validation (export regions)
• Quality assurance / Incoming inspection control
• Trouble shooting / Customer complaints
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
3

4. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
Significant analysis parameters for engine oils
Prerequisite for reliable results and assessment:
• Representative oil samples
• Sampling according defined GME procedure
• Reporting and monitoring of oil sample history
• Oil consumption, top-up etc.
GM Europe
GM Europe
Engine oil sample
Date
Engine type:
Car No.:
Transmission:
Milage Engine:
Milage oil:
Test period:
Test:
Oil top up volume:
Oil type:
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
4

5. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
Significant analysis parameters for engine
oils
TBN
• TBN (total base number ) mg KOH / g
- defines the remaining alkaline capacity to neutralize acids
- Usually decreases by acidification due to blow-by gas,.NOx, SO2
- Increase possible by additive concentration due to evaporation
• Significantly influenced by vehicle driving conditions,
(short or long trip)
• Determination by potentiometric titration
Comparability for results with identical method only
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
5

6. Potentiometric Titration
Acidic components react with titration reagent.
Electrodes measure change of pH / voltage continuously.
Inflection point of resulting titration curve enables calculation of alkaline
concentration
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
6

7. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
Significant analysis parameters for engine oils
Viscosity
Kinematic [mm²/s]
Dynamic [mPa·s]
• Important parameter to characterize flow properties of oils
• Definition of SAE class e.g. 5W-30, 5W-40
• Significant dependence on temperature (Viscosity Index VI)
Increase
Decrease
- Evaporation
- Shearing of instable VI- improver
- Oxidation/Nitration
- Fuel dilution
- Soot
- Top up with diff. viscosity class
- Top up with diff. viscosity class
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
7

8. Automatic
measurement by
conductivity or
optical sensors with
final cleaning of
capillaries
Instrument
operation status
Sample No.
Results
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
8

9. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
Significant analysis parameters for engine oils
Soot
• mainly important for Diesel engines
• significantly influenced by
- driving conditions (load)
- Engine hardware, (injection system, EGR, etc)
• Impact of high soot level on
Viscosity increase and wear
• Determination by Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
9

10. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
Significant analysis parameters for engine oils
Nitration / Oxidation
• main issue for gasoline and CNG engines
• significantly influenced by
- operating conditions e.g. load, temperature, EGR
• Engine hardware (e.g. ventilation system, oil cooler)
• Potential of sludge formation in case of insufficient
anti-oxidative capacity
• determination by Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
10

11. IR-Spectra of an used
engine oil
Oxidation and Nitration are evaluated
Nitration
at 1630cm-1
Oxidation
at 1710cm-1
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
11

12. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
Significant analysis parameters for engine oils
Fuel Dilution
Influenced by
• Driving conditions, cold start, oil temperature
• Engine hardware
- Diesel Particle Filter with post injection regeneration
- Gasoline Direct Injection
• Various simplified indirect methods applied, e.g. Viscosity, Flashpoint
• high uncertainty especially for unknown matrix
Sophisticated gas chromatography (Simulated Distillation)
is best approach, DIN 51 435/2
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
12

13. Gas chromatograph
Simulated distillation for
determination of boiling range of
fuels & oils.
This enables to calculate e.g.
fuel dilution in engine oil.
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
13

14. Diesel Fuel dilution
Chromatogram
engine oil with fuel dilution
FAME content
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
14

15. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
Significant analysis parameters for engine oils
Metal / Element content
sophisticated equipment enables fast multi-element-analysis:
• XRF X- Ray Fluorescence analysis
- very fast, no sample preparation
- not applicable for Lithium, Boron and traces
• ICP-OES
Inductive Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy
- applicable for traces and elements not covered by XRF
- Sample preparation required (dilution)
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
15

16. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
Significant analysis parameters for engine oils
Metal / Element sources
Origin
Element
Iron
Aluminium
Copper
Tin
Lead
Silicon
Zinc
Calcium
Magnesium
Molybdenum
Phosphorous
Sulfur
Sodium
Potassium
Chlorine
additive
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
wear
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•
•
•
•
•
fuel
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
coolant
polymers
contamination
process
lubricants
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
•
•
•
•
•
•
16

17. XRF= X-Ray
Fluorescence
determination of element
concentration in liquid and
solid samples.
No sampling preparation.
Principle of X-ray
analysis
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
Not appropriate for
e.g. B, Li, traces
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
17

18. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
F U E L D IL U T IO N in d iffe r e n t d r iv in g c y c le s
C ity C y c le v s . H ig h w a y c o n d itio n s D I D ie s e l e n g in e w ith D P F
13
12
C it y C y c le
11
H ig h w a y
Fuel dilution DIN 51 435/2 [wt%]
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0
5 .0 0 0
1 0 .0 0 0
1 5 .0 0 0
2 0 .0 0 0
2 5 .0 0 0
3 0 .0 0 0
3 5 .0 0 0
4 0 .0 0 0
4 5 .0 0 0
5 0 .0 0 0
O il m ila g e [k m ]
• DPF application could cause significant fuel dilution under specific driving cycles
• Engine durability requires reduced oil change interval for these cases
• Oil life monitoring-system calculates appropriate change interval
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
18

19. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
S O O T a c c u m u la tio n in d iffe re n t d riv in g c y c le s
H ig h w a y v s . B e n c h te s t c o n d itio n s in D I D ie s e l e n g in e s
5 ,0
S o o t H ig h w a y
Soot content DIN 51 452 [wt%]
4 ,0
S o o t B e n c h te s t
3 ,0
2 ,0
1 ,0
0 ,0
0
1 0 .0 0 0
2 0 .0 0 0
3 0 .0 0 0
4 0 .0 0 0
5 0 .0 0 0
O il m ila g e [k m ]
• Worst case simulation with e.g. high load, EGR rate on engine bench test possible
• Controlled oil consumption
• Reduction of cost intensive fleet test
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
19

20. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
T B N d e c r e a s e d e p e n d e n t o n fu e l q u a lity
L o w v s . H ig h s u lf u r f u e l in D I D ie s e l e n g in e s
13
12
11
TBN, DIN ISO 3771 [mgKOH/g]
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
h ig h s u lfu r fu e l (5 0 0 0 p p m )
A C E A A 3 /B 3 o il q u a lity
3
2
s u lfu r fre e fu e l (< 1 0 p p m )
G M -L L -A -0 2 5 o il q u a lity
1
0
0
5 .0 0 0
1 0 .0 0 0
1 5 .0 0 0
2 0 .0 0 0
2 5 .0 0 0
3 0 .0 0 0
3 5 .0 0 0
4 0 .0 0 0
4 5 .0 0 0
5 0 .0 0 0
O il m ila g e [k m ]
• Lower oil and fuel quality in export countries need compensation
by reduced oil change intervals
Oil Change Interval Gasoline Engines
Export
EU 25
30.000 km /
1 Year
15.000 km /
1 Year
GM-LL-A-025
ACEA A3 / B3
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
7.500 km /
1 Year
API SL / ILSAC GF3
API SM / ILSAC GF4
Oil Change Interval Diesel Engines
Export
EU 25
30.000 km /
1 Year
15.000 km /
1 Year
GM-LL-B-025
ACEA A3 / B4
7.500 km /
1 Year
API CI - 4 /
API CH - 4
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
20

21. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
TB N d ecrease d ep end en t o n d rivin g p ro file
C ity C ycle vs. H ighw ay in M P FI G aso lin e engines
13
12
11
TBN, DIN ISO 3771 [mgKOH/g]
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
C ity C ycle
3
H igh w ay
2
1
0
0
5 .0 00
1 0.00 0
1 5.00 0
20 .00 0
25 .0 00
30 .0 00
35 .0 00
40.0 00
O il m ilage [km ]
• City Cycle is “worst case” regarding engine oil degradation for gasoline engines
• Important for oil change interval validation
• Basis for Oil life monitoring to adjust drain intervals to driving conditions
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
21

22. Importance of Engine Oil Analysis for the Automotive Industry Impacts and Evaluation of Chemical Results
Summary / Conclusion
• Experience and expert know-how is pre-requisite for evaluation of
results regarding
- Base oil quality and Additive technology
- Engine and after treatment technologies
- Periphery (coolant, fuel, grease, oil filter etc.)
• GME/GMPT Global team of hardware and oil experts established
Close link to:
- Mineral Oil and Additive Industry, Independent Test Labs
- ACEA, CEC, VDA etc.
• Importance of oil analysis requires sufficient in-house capacities
and continuous optimization of equipment and test methods
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
22

23. Thanks to my coauthors for their great support:
Reinhard Bütehorn, GM Powertrain-Europe
Michael Seemann, GME Engineering
Many thanks for your attention!
E. Leber, M. Seemann,
R. Bütehorn,
GME / GMPT-E Engineering
Lubricants Russia, 23-25th November 2005, Moscow
23