Can you trust your Oil Analysis provider?
The word ‘Trust’ is a powerful word! It typically refers to one’s willing to reply on the statement or actions of another. You can only evaluate expectations or provide acceptance over ones statement without evidence or investigation. This uncertainty involves risk of failure or harm if the judgement or desired behaviour of the other is incorrect or inadequate.
What is this about?
Many companies are placed in an uncomfortable situation where the equipment supplier or company that sells you the spare parts is also providing the Oil Analysis. Have you ever considered the conflict of interest in the situation where warning oil analysis results lead to larger sales for your OEM? In many cases they will also benefit greatly from incorrect or misdiagnosed results.
The truth comes out!
A large mining company using the OEM for their oil analysis had major issues caused by misdiagnosed results. The company had been having particular issues with one model of rear dumps, these rear dumps were having engine failures around 70,000 hours. The OEM had been providing the oil analysis and not flagging the high sulfur content, the high Nitration readings, high TAN levels and low TBN levels. They did flag increased viscosity on a few occasions but by the time the viscosity had increased and identified oxidation, it was already too late. The Engines had scorched the liners, carbonised the piston, exhaust values and connecting rods.
Failure Investigations
The OEM had been asked to inspect the engines and provide feedback and analysis on the failures (that should not have occurred). In total there had been six failed engines with another two showing similar signs of going bust. The OEM came back with a report giving recommendations of dropping back the service interval from 500hrs to 250hrs, yet it was the OEM who had said these engines were suitable for 500hrs service intervals. The high costs to, the mining company were now for not only blown engines replaced parts, downtime, and Labour but also lowered service intervals.
The Oil company provider had also been called in to examine the blown engines and asked to provide failure analysis. They came back with suggestions to talk to the equipment supplier about fitting new pistons that could reduce temperatures on the pistons or look at reducing loads, speeds and grades carried by the trucks. They did mention that the oil fit the spec’s of the OEM so it could not be the oil. Again, this was incorrect.
Techenomics an Independent
As an independent, Techenomics have the ability to diagnose such issues, faster, accurately, competently and assure that misinterpretation that leads to engine failures will not occur. Techenomics do not make money on spare parts, so providing reports with notifications to replace parts, check parts or misinterpret data that allows components to come to an end, is by no means beneficial to Techenomics.
Techenomics primary goal is to provide preventative maintenance personal with the ability to prevent failures before they occur. Techenomics have programs designed to preserve and restore equipment reliability by providing the right information in the right time allowing the replacement of worn components before they actually fail.
Techenomics utilises the extensive knowledge of our staff and global spread of key laboratory facilities to give you informative and accurate solutions that will help you in your quest to lower operational costs and improve the reliability of your equipment.
For any companies needing Oil Analysis or for further information please contact your local Techenomics laboratory, email admin@techenomics.com or visit www.techenomics.net
Paper written by Jason Davis, Technical consultant and Tech Blog author, Techenomics Australia – email jason.davis@techenomics.com
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