Oil Sample Analysis
Alliance Marine Surveyors usually take a sample of the oil while the vessel is in operation or immediately after the engine stops giving more effective diagnostics.
About Oil Sample Analysis
Lubricating oil is an important factor in the operation of the engine and can be likened to the lifeblood of the body. In the same way, a blood sample allows your doctor to detect diseases in the body the same occurs with your engine when you do an oil sample analysis of your vessel’s mechanical system. Read More…
Alliance Marine Surveyors usually take a sample of the oil while the vessel is in operation or immediately after the engine stops giving more effective diagnostics. An oil sample analysis is important in maintaining healthy mechanical systems. This is due to the analysis identifying any evident contamination, chemicals, or physical lubricants.
The report received from the oil analysis gives you useful information which allows for strategic action to be taken for preventative maintenance. As a result, the functioning of the mechanical system can be preserved. This includes engines, generators, hydraulic systems cooling systems, and transmission.
Here’s how it works
The oil sample taken evaluate the levels and the types of metal including the presence of contaminants such as: water, soot, abrasives, fuel and engine coolants within a gas or diesel engines. The lab report is then generated and flag any suspected anomalies, deriving the causes and offering technical recommendations as the case may be. Conditions mainly found by an oil analysis includes abnormal wear of metals, dilutions within the fuel water and or dirt contaminations. Early discoveries of abnormal conditions can prevent costly repairs down the operable line later on. As is known, fuel dilution accelerates wear on the cylinder and bearings. In addition, an engine with high levels of solids will cause wear on valve train, pistons and bearings. Dirty fuel injectors, a weak ignition, having low compression, or restricted intake or exhaust are all causes of soot build up in diesel engines.
When you request an oil sample analysis from AMSC you can expect to have the following included:
Spectral Exam: The lab Technician uses a spectrometer to ascertain the quantity of various metals and associated additives in the sample. This exam is useful for finding excessive wear in the bearings, pistons, rings, cylinders valve train and gears. In addition, the composition of oil additives can be determined.
The Oil Sample Analysis will include the following:
- Spectral Exam: A spectrometer is used to find the quantity of various metals and additives in the sample — useful for finding excessive wear in bearings, pistons, rings, cylinders, valve train, and gears. It also determines the composition of any oil additives.
- Viscosity Test: The thickness of the oil at a specific temperature is tested — useful for finding fuel dilution, the breakdown of viscosity enhancers, or other contamination.
- Flash Point: Tests the temperature at which vapor from the oil ignites — contamination can cause a specific grade oil to flash higher or lower than the design flash point.
- Insolubles Test: Insolubles are typically abrasive solids — high readings are usually byproducts of incomplete combustion.