MolaKule
Staff member
Up Front
Low Viscosity Results Puzzling
We started receiving engine oil analysis results from our lab alerting us to a situation of low oil viscosity but with a negative test for fuel in the oil. After some investigation, it was determined that only the field service equipment exhibited this trait.
We took samples from the lube service truck bulk tanks to determine if a lighter grade oil, such as hydraulic, had been loaded into the engine oil tank. The samples came back showing significantly lower viscosity of the bulk engine oil.
We drained the oil from the tank and replaced it with fresh engine oil. The samples continued showing low-viscosity engine oil in the field service equipment. We tested the lube service truck again, and the bulk oil was again diluted.
Suspicious that a crack had developed between the hydraulic and engine oil bulk tanks on the service truck, we drained both tanks and refilled only the engine tank. After an hour, the engine oil transferred to the hydraulic tank and we had two half-full tanks!
Our latest specifications for lube service trucks call for completely isolated and modular tanks for each bulk fluid. (Submitted by Michael Houlden, Reliability Engineer, Finning. Thanks Michael!)
Low Viscosity Results Puzzling
We started receiving engine oil analysis results from our lab alerting us to a situation of low oil viscosity but with a negative test for fuel in the oil. After some investigation, it was determined that only the field service equipment exhibited this trait.
We took samples from the lube service truck bulk tanks to determine if a lighter grade oil, such as hydraulic, had been loaded into the engine oil tank. The samples came back showing significantly lower viscosity of the bulk engine oil.
We drained the oil from the tank and replaced it with fresh engine oil. The samples continued showing low-viscosity engine oil in the field service equipment. We tested the lube service truck again, and the bulk oil was again diluted.
Suspicious that a crack had developed between the hydraulic and engine oil bulk tanks on the service truck, we drained both tanks and refilled only the engine tank. After an hour, the engine oil transferred to the hydraulic tank and we had two half-full tanks!
Our latest specifications for lube service trucks call for completely isolated and modular tanks for each bulk fluid. (Submitted by Michael Houlden, Reliability Engineer, Finning. Thanks Michael!)
