Comprehensive assessment of oil degradation patterns in petrol and diesel engines observed in a field test with passenger cars – Conventional oil analysis and fuel dilution

Abstract

Requirements for modern internal combustion engines are lower emissions, higher power density and longer maintenance intervals. These trends increase the demands on engine components, including lubricants. In a field study of petrol and diesel vehicles, oil condition of 47 engine oils from 12 vehicles are correlated with fresh oil properties and operating conditions, i.e., trip length and speed. Long-range petrol vehicles displayed accelerated chemical oil degradation compared to diesel vehicles. An explanation for this behaviour is assumed to be the difference air-to-fuel ratio. Short-range petrol vehicles showed an even faster oil degradation and significant changes in oil viscosity due to fuel dilution. Diesel vehicles exhibited higher soot loading and more pronounced engine wear indicated by iron content in the oils.