The potential negative effects of the use of the diesel and biodiesel blends over the engine oil have concerned both, vehicles and engine manufactures as well as lubricant producers. This work presents the results of a research project which evaluated in details the effects of the mixture of 5% of biodiesel made with Soya and Castor seeds with mineral diesel over the engine lubricant.
The study was performed with a dedicated fleet of 6 pickups powered by 3.0 liter engines, equipped with common rail injection system, that meet Euro Stage III emissions level. This fleet accumulated 100.000 km each vehicle during the period of one year and was carefully monitored during the test.
Around 200 engine oil samples were collected and analyzed. The results received an adequate statistical treatment and it was concluded that, for this concentration of biodiesel and biodiesel qualities, the negative effects over the lubricant do not degrade its performance in a significant way. But it was also observed that the TBN was depleted faster by the Soya B5 fueled vehicle, when compared with mineral diesel and Castor seed B5.
The continuity of this project foresees the study of the effects of higher concentrations of biodiesel over the engine lubricant, whose results will be published subsequently.