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AMSOIL
Proves Superior in Clark County Field Test
In order to demonstrate the
effectiveness of AMSOIL 15W-40 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Motor Oil and the
AMSOIL Dual-Gard filtration system in reducing operating expenses, AMSOIL and Direct
Dealer Bill Andes began an ongoing field test in October 1998 with the bus fleet of the
Clark County Board of Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD) in
Springfield, Ohio.
Participating in the
field test are three 1997 International 3800 school buses, two equipped with International
466 diesel engines and one with an International 466E diesel engine. Each had previously
been running a conventional petroleum-based oil.
Prior to starting the
field test, four goals were set:
1.
The reduction of fuel consumption
through the superior lubricity and reduced viscometric drag provided by AMSOIL 15W-40
Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Motor Oil. Verification of this goal will be
obtained by com-paring previously documented fuel mileage reports using petroleum oils
with fuel mileage reports of the same vehicles now using AMSOIL diesel oil.
2.
The extension of fluid drain
intervals due to the superior synthetic chemistry and additive system of AMSOIL Synthetic
Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Motor Oil, along with the additional efficiency pro-vided by
the AMSOIL Dual-Gard filtration system.
3.
The reduction of maintenance costs
due to the superior wear protection and extended drain intervals provided by AMSOIL
Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Motor Oil and the AMSOIL Dual-Gard filtration
system.
4.
Provide the above-mentioned benefits
without com-promising the mechanical integrity of the equipment.
Baseline samples of the petroleum oil
already in the crankcase were obtained, tested and documented. Next, the oil was drained
and the engines flushed with AMSOIL Engine Flush. AMSOIL BMK-12 Filter Mounts, two BE-110
By-pass Filtration elements and AMSOIL 15W-40 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Motor
Oil were installed in each vehicle.
Oil samples from each bus are drawn
and tested at 4000-mile intervals, the normal oil drain interval practiced by MR/DD when
using conventional lubricants. Data obtained from the oil samples serves to determine the
following:
1.
Fluid and vehicle baselines
2.
The mechanical condition of the
vehicles
3.
Ability of the equipment to continue
functioning as a demonstration vehicle
4.
Rate of internal equipment wear
5.
Serviceability of fluids and filters
Once drawn, each oil sample is
reviewed in the areas of elemental analysis (including wear metals, contaminates and
additives), physical properties (including viscosity, total acid number and total base
number) and contamination (including water, solids, glycol, oxidation, fuel soot and fuel
dilution). Oil condemnation limits vary due to individual engine idiosyncrasies, operating
conditions and time the fluid has been in service.
Bus Number
Miles on AMSOIL without being changed
# of Petroleum oil changes (based on 4,000-mile interval)
# of AMSOIL oil changes (based on proposed
10,000-mile interval)
4
45,465
12
5
7
71,185
18
8
22
65,776
17
7
Observations As of May 1, 2001, the buses
had accumulated a total of 182,426 miles without oil changes, and several benefits
associated with running the AMSOIL products have been realized. First, both labor and
vehicle downtime have been reduced. While using the previous petroleum-based motor oil,
the Clark County Board of MR/DD was accustomed to changing oil at 4,000-mile intervals.
They now plan to extend their intervals to 10,000 miles and beyond if supported by oil
analysis results. The chart below shows the comparison figures.
As for the aftermarket full flow oil
filters, the original intention was to change them every 6,000 to 10,000 miles, but after
careful review of oil analysis results, it was determined that because of the efficiency
of the AMSOIL Dual-Gard filtration system, 10,000- to 12,000-mile intervals were easily
obtainable on the full-flow filters.
For demonstration purposes, the
BE-110 filter elements remained unchanged for a 2-year period. However, after review, it
was deter-mined that under normal conditions it would be beneficial to change them after a
40,000- to 50,000-mile interval.
Engine wear rates have decreased
significantly since changing to AMSOIL 15W-40 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Motor
Oil. High temperature operating conditions have also been reduced. This leads to enhanced
engine protection, and ultimately, to longer engine life. Because the engines have been
operating more efficiently, three to five percent gains in fuel economy have also been
realized. The chart below compares the levels of wear particles present in the previous
conventional oil with the levels present in the AMSOIL as of May 2001. The condition of
the AMSOIL at various testing intervals is documented below.
Conclusion
Overall, this field demonstration was highly successful for AMSOIL. The oil analysis data
indicate that AMSOIL products deliver uncompromising protection and performance. AMSOIL
pro-vides longer equipment life and reduced downtime, longer drain intervals, significant
decreases in wear rates and operating temperatures and dramatic improvement in engine
performance when compared to conventional petroleum oils.
