Oil Quality with Oil Age in an IDI Diesel Passenger Car Using an On Line Lubricating Oil Recycler Under Real World Driving 2001-01-1898

A method of cleaning lubricating oil on line was investigated using a fine 1 micron bypass particulate filter, followed by an infra-red heater to remove water and light diesel fractions in the oil. A Ford 1.8 litre IDI diesel passenger car was investigated under real world driving conditions. Comparison was made with the oil quality without the recycler. All the tests were carried out on the same vehicle over 7000 miles with and without the recycler. The results showed that the on line oil recycler cleaning system reduced the rate of reduction of TBN and the rate of increase of TAN by 54% and 50% respectively. The reduction in the rate of carbon accumulation in the oil was 42%. There was also a reduction in fuel dilution. All the wear metals in the oil were greatly reduced by the recycler, the iron was reduced by 76%, the lead was reduced by 85% and the aluminum was totally removed. Compared with previous results from the same type of engine test using an oil recycler with 6 micron bypass filter, the 1 micron finer bypass filter was more effective in reducing wear metals. The recycler achieved an 8.9% reduction in fuel consumption. There was a 44% reduction in the oil consumption using the recycler.