An Investigation for Prior Failure of Engine Component through Spectroscopy Oil Analysis Program

Abstract

Monitoring the condition of the engine through oil analysis will help operators to get the most value from their equipment and their lubricant. This is just one part of an overall Preventive Maintenance (PM) Program. Engine lubricant condition reflects the state of health of engine through its properties. Recognition and analysis of the correlation between engine lubricant system based on the lubricant properties and engine performance is crucial to provide insight into engine health. Aim of this paper is an investigation for prior failure of engine component through oil analysis. Engine is the heart of automobile vehicles. Engine performances are directly dependent upon the health of its components like piston, cylinder, cylinder head, crankshaft, cam shaft, connecting rod etc. Metals in lubricating oil can come from various sources, such as wear, contamination and additives. Wear metals result from friction or corrosion of the engine components; for example pistons, bushing, piston ring and bearings, during operation. Contamination can come from dirt, leaks or residual metal pieces. Additives used as detergents, anti-oxidants and anti-wear agents, are added in order to reduce engine wear. Wear of a specific component is heralded by an increase in the concentration of a particular metal, or the sudden appearance of a metal. Since different engine components are composed of different alloys, the increase of a particular metal can be used to identify impending failure of a specific component. An analysis of trace metals in engine oil has permitted the identification of wearing components before severe failure, without dismantling of the engine. Spectrometric Oil Analysis Program (SOAP). The determination of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn impurities using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy method. The used engine oil samples were digested with HCL