Dirt in Oil vs Wear

[AEHaas]

It seems that the amount of dust inhaled by our engines has far more adverse effects than the brand of oil and oil viscosity. Where is the dirt acting within the engine causing wear? Is it everywhere, just the rings/cylinders, what? Are there any papers showing this relationship or explaining where in the engine ingested dirt has effects?

The wear seems to be viscosity independent. Why? If you use a thick oil maybe there should be no wear - after all, it is still filtered, just not as well with some lesser air filters.

Maybe the thinner oils should allow more wear based on this but it does not seem to be the case.

Oil filters seem to be relatively less important in this regard. Why?

aehaas

 

[Tempest]

Just a guess here, but I would think most wear would occur in cylinders due to the minimal hydrodynamic conditions there. This makes for a greater amount of mixed/boundary conditions giving more chance for contact.
There is also the possible "erosion" effect similar to sand in water polishing/eroding stone.

 

[qship1996]

Which brings up the idea of frequent oil changes{3,000 miles?} may actually be the best thing you can do to prolong engine life and maintain good compression as new performance???

What good does using top quality oils/fancy filters for extended drains, if the buildup of microscopic dirt circulating through the engine is what causes wear? Might as well use basic oil/filter and change frequently??? Maybe Jiffy-Lube was right all along with their 3 month/3,000 mile slogan???

 

[Tempest]

used oil analysis here do not support that so long as there is good air filtration.

 

[Jaymus]

used oil analysis show that when the silicon is high, so are the wear numbers.

 

[Tempest]

And that abrasive silicon usually comes from the air.

 

[JAG]

Some insight may be found in these studies.

http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/product.biblio.jsp?osti_id=10123538

http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/0022-3727/...a3-236d211c5e3f

http://www.maintenanceworld.com/Articles/KessissoglouPeng/IntegratingVibration.htm

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5506/is_200206/ai_n21312924/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1

http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/0022-3727/...93-958f3b81cd5a