Sump Screening Tests keep fleet vehicles on the road

Keeping as many fleet vehicles on the road as possible at any given time is crucial for fleet operators but maintenance and unexpected breakdowns cause frustrating and costly downtime, limiting productivity. The Sump Screening Tests developed by Techenomics detect problems with engines before they lead to breakdown or failure.

The simple, low-cost and readily available Sump Screening Tests can be used for any road transport vehicle and check for fuel dilution, coolant leaks and the presence of iron and/or copper in the sump, providing an early warning system for fleet operators.

Any issues identified by a Sump Screening Test can then be followed up with thorough analysis at Techenomics’ state-of-the-art laboratories.

Techenomics’ CEO Chris Adsett says contamination reduces the viscosity of engine oil and increases wear and tear on metal components. This can cause mechanical shearing and other serious component and engine issues, which can have dramatic and dangerous results.

He says the most prevalent contamination issues for engines are posed by fuel and water leaks which reduce the lubricating effectiveness of oil. “Coolant leaks are also an issue as they not only cause higher operating temperatures, but can also physically damage metal components through pitting. They also acidify the oil by leaching out basic components.

“The presence of iron and/or copper in the sump indicates wear and tear in engines, and further analysis can indicate the source.”

Chris Adsett says a Sump Screening Test can also identify the presence of unfiltered or dirty air. “If vehicles are often operated in dusty environments, including gravel roads, the engine can quickly get blown if filters are clogged or if a hole develops in the air intake, allowing unfiltered air into the engine.

“A Techenomics’ Sump Screening Test can identify any or all of these problems before engine failure occurs, thus extending the life of equipment, preventing maintenance costs, lowering unscheduled downtime, and saving a lot of time and money.”

He says the tests can also identify which vehicle, truck or bus in a fleet is the next one that needs to be overhauled.

“OEM’s recommend a time or mileage that equipment should be overhauled and this is generally based on a nominal figure of when some machines or engines start to fail. However, every piece of equipment is different, operates in different conditions and has a different life span.

“Knowing in advance which vehicle may need an overhaul can dramatically reduce downtime and service costs, saving you time and money.”

Carrying out Sump Screening Tests on vehicles, benefits a range of road transport operators including fleet operators, transport operators, bus operators, light fleet operators, taxi companies and large car servicing franchises.

Techenomics also has the proven expertise to carry out more advanced and detailed analysis after a test returns a ‘fail’ result.

To arrange a Sump Screening Test or to find out more information contact: Chris Adsett, c.adsett@techenomics.com; in Indonesia Teguh, teguh@techenomics.com; in Singapore Siti, siti@techenomics.com; in Mongolia Sugraa, sugraa@techenomics.com; or in Australia Leo Valenz, leo.valenz@techenomics.com