Radiotracers Reveal Engine Wear - during detergent oil filtration study

THIS PAPER describes how radiotracers were used to determine the effect of certain oil variables on wear in marine diesel engines. The tests were made with a clean engine oil system and with abrasive contaminant added, to show how filtration, oil detergency level, and abrasive particle size affected piston-ring wear.

The author concludes that detergent-type oils used in a relatively clean engine will effectively minimize piston-ring wear. Filters are necessary to protect diesel engines from gross quantities of wear debris produced as a result of dirty engine operating environments. For operations that require protection of moving parts against abrasive materials, the use of full-flow filters in the lub oil system is recommended. When essentially clean conditions prevail and when using low detergent level oils, bypass filters might be more beneficial in controlling wear rates.*