No other oil analysis program is as thorough or as reliable at predicting potential trouble early. Each Cat SOS test provides three specific types of diagnostic tests:

1. Wear analysis - monitors machine wear by detecting, identifying and assessing the amount and type of metal wear elements found in used oil.
2. Chemical and physical tests - detects the physical presence of unwanted fluids (water, fuel, antifreeze) in the oil.
3. Oil condition analysis - identifies the loss of lubricating properties by quantifying combustion by-products (soot, sulphur, oxidation and nitration products).

Indication	Problem Area & Causes	Potential Wear
Soot Excessive	Oil Degredation, Thickening	Bearing Damage, +/or Piston, Ring, Liner Wear
Oxidation Increase	Oil Thickening, Varnish, Carbon	Piston, Ring, Liner Wear +/ Bearing Damage
Chromium, Molybdenum, Iron	Stuck or Broken Piston Ring(s)	Ring, Liner Wear
Silicon, Aluminum, Chromium, Iron	Dirt Ingestion, Poor Air Filtration	Piston, Ring, Liner Wear
Silicon, Lead, Aluminum, Iron	Dirt in Lower Engine	Crankshaft Bearing Wear
Copper, Aluminum, Iron	Oil Degradation or Contamination	Rod Eye, Wrist Pin Wear
Aluminum, Chrome, Iron	Oil Degradation, Abnormal Operation Temperature	Piston, Ring, Liner Wear
Lead, Aluminum	Oil Degradation or Contamination	Crankshaft Bearing Wear
Fuel	Oil Contamination, Visc. Loss	Bearing Damage, +/or Piston, Ring, Liner Wear
Water (NA) +/or Glycol	Coolant Leak, Oil Contamination, Sludge Formation	Bearing Damage, +/or Piston, Ring, Liner Wear

Oil contamination and degradation can create conditions leading to excessive wear and eventual machine failure. Regular SOS indentifies and measures these various contaminants and sources of oil breakdown. The chart above provides some examples of the most common contaminants found in oil. Other considerations inclued:

1. Oxidation Products - a chemical reaction between oil and oxygen which leads to plugged filters, lacquering, piston deposits, ring sticking, bore polishing, etc. Excessive operating temperatures accelerate the oxidation process.
2. Nitration Products - occur in all engines, but only reaches problem levels in natural gas engines. Nitration leads to the same types of conditions that occur with the presence of oxidation products.
3. Cooling System Temperature - excessively high or low tempeatures eventually lead to engine failure. Overheating typically causes cracking of cylinder heads and cylinder blocks and seizure of pistons. Low operating temperatures lead to other types of problems such as acid formation, sludge and carbon buildup.
4. High Sulfur Fuels - burning diesel fuel containing high sulfur levels creates oxides of sulphur which react with water vapor to create acids. Excessively low operating temperatures and poor quality lubricants will each accelerate acid formation further degrading the oil.
5. Sulfur - an increase in sulfur (acid) levels signals danger to all engine parts. It is critical to use oils with TBN levels sufficient to combat the level of sulfur in the fuel being burned. Air humidity, engine operating temperature, oil drain interval, fuel consumption rate, idle time, sump capacity, all play a role in the formation of sulphur.
6. Excessive Oil Consumption - this signals ring sticking and liner wear. This problem is usually a result of the previously discussed conditions.

At your next service, request a scheduled oil sample taken. It may be the best insurance you have.

Return | Return to Caterpillar.

Oxford Yacht Agency 
317 S. Morris St 
Oxford, MD 21654 
410-226-5454 
sales@oya.com