Motor Oil Info

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.

Biodiesel fuel is an excellent media for microbial growth, which may cause operation problems, fuel system corrosion and premature fuel filter plugging. Oxygen and other biodiesel characteristics can contribute to increased NOx emissions.

AMSOIL Synthetic Diesel Oils do not offer extended drain interval when using biodiesel fuels.

Lower Energy Content: The energy content of neat 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 antitampering provisions.

Engine Operation Problems: Neat biodiesel and higher percentage biodiesel blends can cause a variety of engine performance problems, including filter plugging, injector coking, piston rings sticking and breaking, elastomer seal swelling and hardening/cracking and severe engine lubricant degradation.

AMSOIL Synthetic Diesel Oils do not offer extended drain interval when using biodiesel fuels.

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

AMSOIL Synthetic Diesel Oils extended drain interval recommendations do NOT apply to vehicles using biodiesel fuels at any mix ratios with petroleum diesel. When using biodiesel fuels at any mix ratio, follow the OEM recommended oil drain interval.

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. AMSOIL Synthetic Diesel Oil can be used with biodiesel.

The One-Arm Bandit is not an accepted test by the ASTM and is too variable to differentiate between samples. Instead, the Standard Test Method for Wear Preventive Characteristics of Lubricating Fluid (Four-Ball Method), designation ASTM D-4172, is recognized by the ASTM and is used to evaluate the anti-wear performance of lubricants.

AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils firmly recommends against using any aftermarket additives unless they are recommended by AMSOIL for AMSOIL products. Don’t be misled by non-ASTM certified testing demonstrations to sell oil additives that focus exclusively on extreme pressure performance in crankcase environments.

Aftermarket oil additives are not necessary in fully-formulated oils. Fully-formulated, high-quality engine oils are blended with additives that are carefully balanced to be synergistic, performing well together. Tampering with the balance by adding other chemicals can adversely affect overall oil performance, sometimes dramatically.

Some aftermarket oil additives contain extreme pressure agents that can be harmful to engine components. Oxidation inhibitor, detergent and corrosion inhibitor performance is sacrificed when extreme pressure additives are added to fully formulated oil, leading to sludge formation and engine corrosion. AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils do not need any oil additives. The FTC has accused multiple aftermarket additives manufacturers with misleading consumers into believing their products can offer extra protection when added to motor oils. The list of companies includes Prolong, Slick50, Zmax, Duralube, Shell Castrol and Valvoline.

The One-Arm Bandit has been used to show the extreme pressure benefits of some aftermarket oil additives by highlighting increased lubricant film strength and less scoring on the bearing. Additives demonstrated in the One-Arm Bandit can give the illusion that extreme pressure properties are desirable in motor oil. The concern with this attempt to link extreme pressure performance with long-term engine wear is that engines typically do not experience exceedingly high levels of pressure.

Although this demonstration tool may be used at trade shows to showcase the performance of lubricants and aftremarket additives, it is not an accepted test by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and can be manipulated with different operating parameters to significantly change the out-put, making one believe an engine oil or oil additive is required for maximum engine protection. AMSOIL doesn’t require any aftermarket oil additives in any of there synthetic motor oils.

EPA emission mandates taking effect in 2010 require the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) to .2 grams per brake horsepower (g/bhp). To meet this limit, engine manufacturers will use either selective catalytic reduction (SCR), NOx adsorber or advanced exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).

Most over-the-road truck and tractor manufacturers will use SCR technology, with International the only major manufacturer to use high EGR technology. Neither system is expected to increase fuel dilution. Light-duty diesel pickup manufacturers Ford and GM also will use SCR technology in their 2011 model-year trucks. Dodge plans to employ SCR technology in its medium-duty chassis cabs but plans to continue use of its NOx adsorber technology in the company’s light duty pickups.

Although AMSOIL Synthetic Diesel Oils have shown the ability to maintain integrity under fuel-dilution conditions, the abnormally high rate and unknown long-term effects have forced AMSOIL to adjust its drain interval recommendations back to the manufacturer-recommended drain.

Passive regeneration requires exhaust gas temperatures of approximately 600C (1100F). These relatively high exhaust gas temperatures occur naturally in trucks operating under heavy load and can trigger the combustion of soot in diesel particulate filter (DPF). Passive regeneration does not increase fuel consumption the way active regeneration does because, by design, it does not require the injection of additional fuel to increase exhaust temperatures.

All class 8 over-the-road tractors and medium-class applications use active regeneration via in-stream injection. In this method, diesel fuel used to burn soot in the DPF is injected directly ahead of the DPF and does not reach the crackcase, leaving the oil uncontaminated.

Light-duty diesel pickup manufacturers (Dodge, Ford, GM) have opted for a less-costly in-cylinder injection system. With in-cylinder injection systems, raw diesel fuel injected on the exhaust stroke can wash directly past the rings and into the crankcase, mixing with the oil. Regular washing of cylinders is a continuous source of fuel contamination in the crankcase and is not conducive to long-term engine protection. Used oil analysis results from 2007-2010 light-duty diesel vehicles showed some elevated fuel dilution, but at tolerable levels. Use a great synthetic diesel oil, AMSOIL.

Active Regeneration use raw diesel fuel as a combustion source to burn the accumulated soot and clear the filter. Active regeneration is accomplished using either in-stream or in-cylinder injection. In-stream injection systems inject raw diesel fuel directly into the exhaust stream before it reaches the diesel particulate filter (DPF).

In-cylinder injection systems inject raw diesel fuel directly into the cylinder on the exhaust stroke. The unburned fuel evaporates and travels down to the diesel particulate filter to burn out the soot built up in the filter. Fuel in the oil reduces the oil’s life expectancy and effectiveness. Because diesel fuel is a natural solvent, fuel dilution in motor oil causes a decrease in viscosity which may lead to an increase in engine wear rates. AMSOIL synthetic diesel oil will help diesel engines last longer.