Engine front cover
Front engine oil cover Front engine oil cover
One of them was inspired by a letter from a reader from the Primorsky Territory who discovered stratification of motor oil in a brand new canister. In order not to arouse any suspicions in anti-advertising activities, we will not reiterate the brand of the suspicious product, but simply quote the response of its manufacturer. “I hereby inform you that a small amount of sediment is allowed in motor and transmission oils. It can be caused by three reasons:
1. Sedimentation (precipitation) of certain groups of oil additives during storage - as a rule, such sediments have a white or whitish hue. The process is accelerated during prolonged storage at a temperature difference. They do not affect the performance of the oil and are subsequently dissolved in the oil during operation of the unit.
2. Sedimentation of white clays used for the final cleaning of high-quality base mineral oils. Precipitation most often has a color from white to gray. The process is accelerated during prolonged storage and temperature differences. They do not affect the operational characteristics of marketable oil, as particles are chemically neutral and have a size smaller than the pores of the factory filter element. Mostly found in high-quality commercial mineral oil-based oils.
3. The Association of fine catalyst particles having a size smaller than the pores of the factory filter element. These sediments are darker than those precipitated by the deposition of additives or clays and can be up to black in color. They are rare and, as a rule, only in those batches of oil that were made immediately after the fresh catalyst was reloaded in the apparatus. They do not affect the operational characteristics of marketable oil and subsequently in the process of work they again turn into a finely dispersed state.
It is necessary to distinguish the above safe precipitation from pollution, the presence of which in the oil is unacceptable. These include abrasives and water.”
During the discussion on the site, we turned to all interested parties to express their opinion. The fact is that the very fact of the presence of a precipitate in a very famous oil seemed rather strange to us. Yes, you can shake the canister (if you guess!), But remember the main topic of discussion: fatal cases when filling with oil during maintenance at branded car services. And there, oil is poured not from four-liter cans, but from large barrels. You can’t shake them!
Imagine that you are "lucky" to come to the MOT exactly when the barrel becomes almost empty. What remains at the bottom of this barrel? That's right, that same sediment! Do you like drinking coffee with thick coffee, especially when there is a lot of it? True, there is nothing particularly terrible in this - swear, and, apart from a spoiled mood, there will be no other consequences. And here the "thick" consists of clay particles, and this, by the way, is an abrasive! To this add the remnants of the catalyst used in the hydrocracking of the oil. But this is already scary - if this catalyst in an unpredictable amount flies into the friction zones of the engine, where temperatures and pressures are very suitable for its operation, oil catalysis will continue. And where he will lead him - only Woland knows. So much for the tar in the pallet, and the unexpected death of the motor.
However, all this is our speculation. Therefore, we give the floor to specialists.
EM. Mokhnatkin, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Academician of IAEB, leading Russian specialist in oils
From an explanation of the reasons for the formation of sediments in oil, it follows that during the storage of motor oils of the specified company, various precipitates of industrial origin are formed. From this we can conclude that if the oil was stored somewhere within the warranty period, and then was taken for operation from the bottom of the container, then it (oil) may include all of the above insoluble sediments. These precipitations, according to the authors of the explanation, are in the form of a fine suspension, and particles of such a suspension pass through the pores of the oil filter without interference, without causing damage to the engine. But this, to put it mildly, is not entirely true!
Firstly, it must be borne in mind that a visible precipitate is always a conglomerate of adhering particles that are many times larger than their constituent particles.
Secondly, if we are talking about the precipitation of catalyst particles, it is likely that under extremely stressful conditions of oil operation in the region of the cylinder-piston group (instantaneous surface temperatures of the oil film exceed 250 ° C), processes can occur in the oil in the presence of a catalyst deep conversion of engine oil (processes of oxidation, carbonization, etc.).
These “explanations” make it quite understandable the facts of failure over the past few years of the failure of engines running on such oils. The opening of such engines shows that their entire “inside” is covered with resinous deposits, all oil-supplying holes are completely clogged with these deposits, as a result of which the connecting rod bearings “seized” - as motorists say, the engine “stuck” and needs major repairs. It should be noted that the penetration of coolant or fuel into the oil system of the engine was not detected.
Yu. V. Semenov, Director of the St. Petersburg North-West Center for Expertise, a leading expert on the oil topic
I read the answer in horror. If a gross violation of technology today is the norm for such a well-known company, then much becomes clear and explains what the “secret of the company” is, which reveals the reasons for the regular failure of engines running on this oil. We are looking for additives, additives, antifreezes, and the casket was very simple to open. If the presence of white clay and catalyst, in the opinion of the manufacturing company itself, does not affect the performance of the oil, then the presence of mechanical impurities, iron, magnesium, sodium and other rubbish passing through the filter should not affect the operation of the oil. But it affects, alas … And the engines fly!
