FREE MAIL ORDER CATALOG

Technical definition of oil analysis values

Physical Properties

Glycol - Anti-freeze contaminant.  Always detrimental to oil quality.

Water - Contaminant.  Coolant leak or condensation.

Fuel - Contaminant.  Fuel leak, excessive idling or incomplete combustion

Viscosity - Measure of resistance to flow.  Used to determine oil grade.

Solids - Contaminant.  Reflects oxidation and nitration.  High levels may indicate combustion problems or overextended drain intervals.

Oil Degradation

Soot - Contaminant.  By product of combustion or blowby.  High levels may indicate combustion problems overextended drain intervals.

Oxidation - Causes increased viscosity and acid formation.

Nitration - Causes sludge and varnish formation.

TBN - Total base number.  Reported on engine oil.  Depletes with use.

TAN - Total acid number.  Reported on non-engine oils.  Increases with use.

Source of elements

Iron (Fe) - Wear metal.  Iron of steel components or rust.

Chromium (Cr) - Wear metal.  Coolant additive.  Chrome and alloys.

Lead (Pb) - Wear metal.  Additive in gear oils and gasoline.  Alloyed with copper, tin or aluminum in plain bearings and bushings.

Copper (Cu) - Wear metal or additive.  Alloyed with lead tin or aluminum in bushings.  Leachate from gaskets/sealant or coolers.

Tin (Sn) - Wear metal.  Alloyed with lead, copper or aluminum.

Aluminum (Al) - Wear metal.  may be alone or in alloys.

Nickel (Ni) - Wear metal.  used in steel alloys.

Silver (Ag) - Wear metal.  Bearings and EMD diesel engines.

Manganese (mn) - Wear metal or gasoline additive.  Used in steel alloys.

Silicon (si) - Contaminant.  Dirt particle, antifoam additive, or leachate from gaskets/sealant compound.

Boron (B) - Contaminant.  Additive in engine coolant or oil.  Compare to levels in unused oil.

Sodium (Na) - Contaminant.  Additive in engine coolant or oil.  Compare to levels in unused oil.

Magnesium (Mg) - Dispersant/detergent oil additive.  Wear metal in steel alloys.

Calcium (Ca) - Dispersant/detergent oil additive.  May indicate water contamination.

Barium (Ba) - Diesel fuel additive.

Phosphorus (P) - Anti-wear oil additive.

Zinc (Zn) - Anti-wear oil additive.

Molybdenum (Mo) - Wear metal or oil additive.  Compare to levels in unused oil.

Titanium (Ti) - Wear metal in steel alloys.

Vanadium (V) - Wear metal in steel alloys.

Cadmium (Cd) - Wear metal in steel alloys.  Engine coolant additive.