Motor Oil Info » Synthetic Diesel Oil

Effect of Biodiesel on Lubricants

Matthew King — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 23:15:37 +0000

The oil change interval can be affected by the use of biodiesel fuels and some applications may require shortening intervals to half of the diesel equivalent.

.Fuel dilution resulting in viscosity reduction.

.Sludge and varnish formation.

.Depletion of alkalinity reserve in the oil indicated by total base number decrease.

.Total acid number increases more rapidly, indicating oil degradation probably from more NOx acid formation.

.Certain metals such as copper and lead leached from bearing due to biodiesel fuel in the lubricant.

.Oil filters plugging from sludge.

AMSOIL Motor Oil extended drain interval recommendations do NOT apply to vehicles using biodiesel fuels at any mix ratios with petroleum diesel. Follow the OEM recommended oil drain interval.

Disadvantage of using Biodiesel

Matthew King — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 14:09:08 +0000

The energy content of biodiesel fuel is about eleven percent (11%) lower than that of petroleum based diesel fuel, resulting in a power loss in engine operation. Engine adjustment for the power losses could lead to violation of EPA anti-tampering provisions. Biodiesel and higher percentage biodiesel blend can cause a variety of engine performance problems, including filter plugging, injector coking, piston ring sticking and breaking, elastomer seal swelling and hardening/cracking and severe engine lubricant degradation.

There is very little information on the use of biodiesel with engine durability over the mileage and operating conditions of heavy-duty diesel engines. Biodiesel fuels have shown poor oxidation stability, which can result in long term storage problems. When biodiesel fuels are used at low temperatures, filters can be plugged and the fuel can thicken. Sub-standard biodiesel fuel might contain glycerin that can precipitate out of the biodiesel fuel and plug the filter at low temperatures.

Specifications

Matthew King — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 21:35:34 +0000

Biodiesel is not the same as those vegetable oils or animal fats. The properties of biodiesel must adhere to the industrial standard (ASTM D6751). Raw vegetable oils and animal fats do not meet ASTM D6751 specifications. Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum fuel to create biodiesel blends. These blends are designated as Bxx, where “xx” is the percentage of biodiesel in the blend. For example, a B5 blend is 5% biodiesel and 95% diesel fuel.

Advantage of Using Biodiesel, The physical and chemical properties of biodiesel are similar to petroleum based diesel in terms of operation of compression ignition engines. Therefore, biodiesel can be used in diesel vehicles without expensive alterations to the engine or fuel system. The other major benefits of using biodiesel include the following.

.Biodiesel is biodegradable, non toxic and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

.Improved lubricity.

.High cetane number.

.Improved conductivity, particularly for Ultra Low Sulfur fuel.

Definition of Biodiesel

Matthew King — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 17:04:53 +0000

Biodiesel is a mixture of methyl esters of long chain fatty acids like lauric, palmitic, steric, oleic, etc. It is produced by the transesterification of animal fats and vegetable oils. Typical examples are rapeseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, palm oil and its derivatives from vegetable sources.

Beef and sheep tallow and poultry oil from animal sources and cooking oil are also the sources of raw materials. The chemistry of conversion to biodiesel is essentially the same. Oil or fat react with methanol or ethanol in the presence of catalyst sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to form biodiesel (methylesters) and glycerin.

Burn Off

Matthew King — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:27:15 +0000

AMSOIL OE 15w-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil is formulated for improved heat and oxidation resistance over conventional petroleum oil for cleaner engine operation. It maintains power and fuel efficiency for superior engine performance. OE Diesel Oil’s dependable cold temperature flow assures easier startup and improved post startup protection.

Due to its low rate of volatility (burn off), AMSOIL OE 15w-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil is able to reduce oil consumption and emissions. It maintains film strength even during high temperature operating conditions to ensure dependable protection, performance and fuel efficiency.

Low Sulfated Ash

Matthew King — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:14:51 +0000

AMSOIL OE 15w-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil is a low sulfated ash formulation that meets the requirements for low emission quality diesel oil and protects under the most severe conditions found in modern diesel engines. It is compatible with all exhaust treatment devices and is designed for engines equipped with diesel particulate filters (DPF).

AMSOIL OE 15w-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil is formulated with premium synthetic base stocks and robust detergent/dispersant additives that keep soot particles from growing and forming larger wear causing particles. It allows for optimal soot related viscosity control to maintain stay in grade performance.

OE Diesel Synthetic Oil

Matthew King — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:17:01 +0000

OE 15w-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil meets API CJ-4 specifications and is suitable for modern and older, on and off-road diesel applications. It is an excellent entry level product for customers who want to move up to synthetic quality, but won’t pay a significantly higher price than a conventional oil or aren’t initially interested in extending their drain intervals.

OE 15w-40 Synthetic Diesel Oil is ideal for those applications excluded from the extended drain interval recommendations of Premium API CJ-4 Synthetic Diesel Oil due to persistent fuel dilution issues, including 2007 to present light duty GM, Ford and Dodge diesel pickups and 2007 to 2009 Caterpillar C13 and C15 on highway engines. It exceeds the higher performance demands of modern engines and withstands the stress of heat, soot and acids to help prevent deposits, wear and corrosion.

Oil Thickening

Matthew King — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 04:02:55 +0000

Primarily affecting diesel oils, is excessive soot-loading in mechanically unsound engines . Diesel oils are designed to handle some soot contamination, but when the soot overloads the available dispersants in the oil, the oil thickens. The round mass of soot particles reach a critical size and cause excessive wear commonly seen in diesel liners.

AMSOIL Synthetic Diesel Oils are formulated to provide a broad level of overall protection, evidenced by guaranteed extended drain intervals. Synthetic base oils help resist oxidative decomposition, and a properly balanced, high quality additive package helps keep contaminants in check and engines running for a long time.

Regeneration

Matthew King — Sat, 21 May 2011 01:49:30 +0000

Active regeneration typically uses a charge of diesel fuel or some other type of heating source to light off or burn the accumulated soot in the filter, allowing the filter to continue to trap soot. The heating source ignites soot trapped in the DPF to make room for more. Active regeneration can be problematic to diesel oil if diesel fuel is delivered via the exhaust stroke through the pistons; the diesel fuel can make its way past the piston rings and dilute the oil, which can lead to a reduction in oil viscosity and increased oxidation.

Class 8 trucks use a separate fuel injector positioned just ahead of the DPF to deliver diesel fuel to regenerate the DPF, which does not generally cause any oil related issues. Saps in diesel oils carries through the exhaust system, does not burn and accumulates in the diesel particulate filter. This is a slow process, but when ash levels become excessive, the DPF must be removed from the vehicle and cleaned.

Total Base Number in Diesels

Matthew King — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 01:51:24 +0000

Higher TBN levels well into service indicate increased levels of the additives responsible for neutralizing acids and dispersing soot. Oils that demonstrate higher TBN levels over longer periods are capable of providing increased protection throughout extended drain intervals.

AMSOIL Synthetic Diesel oil 5w-40 was a top performing oil in the area of TBN retention, against four competing API CJ-4 diesel oils. It is important that the slope of the TBN trend line be gradual and span the entire life of the oil. While some oils experienced sharp declines, indicating poor performance, AMSOIL Synthetic Diesel oil 5w-40 maintained high TBN levels throughout the drain interval to provide effective engine protection.