European Developments in Diesel Performance Standards 831751

The lubricant technical community in Europe (including the U.K.) has been developing a series of performance standards for lubricants resembling the API/ASTM/SAE tripartite system, but directed towards European needs. Whilst considerable use is made of the API categories such as SE, SF, CD, etc., there are nevertheless several areas where it is felt that the U.S. specifications do not fully address European needs. Because of this the European engine manufacturers under the aegis of the CCMC are developing a proposed set of gasoline and diesel engine test sequences oriented towards the European needs. This paper is only concerned with those in the diesel area. Also, individual engine manufacturers have their own specifications in advance of the adoption of a common European specification.

Those tests which European engine manufacturers are considering highlight the difference between Europe and the U.S.. The most publicised of these are:

• - Mercedes-Benz OM 352A (6 cylinder turbocharged commercial diesel).
• - Volkswagen 4 cylinder turbo diesel.
• - A CEC bore polish test in the 6 cylinder turbocharged Ford Tornado engine.
• - The CEC Mercedes-Benz OM 616 Kombi Test
• - The CEC MWM-B single cylinder test.
• - SOFIM 2000 (4-cylinder naturally aspirated diesel test proposed by Fiat).

The fact of such a large number of tests being canvassed to cover different performance aspects emphasises the difference in approach between Europe and U.S.. Additional tests such as the Indenor diesel used in France are not included in the following discussion because they are not under active consideration by the CCMC.