Future Trends in Diesel Engine Design and Their Impact on Lubricants

Engine design changes contemplated to meet the 1991 particulate legislation have broken away from the evolutionary changes which have led us to todays' engine designs. The impact of these design changes on lubricants are far ranging and include those resulting from differences in crownland clearances, ring location, piston style, injection pressures, and virtually every design application contemplated by the engine builder. This paper attempts to quantify present design practice, and based on limited data, speculate on problems which might arise as a result of particulate control. Special concern is raised regarding the need for lubricant sup-lier/additive manufacturer and engine designer interaction to prevent a situation from occurring where 1991 engines are introduced which do not have proper lubricants waiting for them.