Abstract Engine oil analysis is a process that involves a sample of engine oil, whether unused or used, and analyzing it for various properties and wear metal particle in order to monitor wear metals, TAN, TBN, Viscosity, Water Content and contamination. Engine oil sample have been analysed by Spectrometric oil analysis program and oil test center (kittiwake), determine the wear rate, and overall service condition of an engine, along with spotting potential problems and catastrophic failure before it happens. After experiment work have been done, results show information of petrol engine car has max wear of component as compare to diesel engine car. Both petrol and diesel engine car oil samples have been contaminated by water and acid at same level. Due to increased water and acid content present in oil, corrosion increased

Gautam Yadav

Madhuri Maheshwari

Pranabesh Ganai

Sudhir Tiwari

CiteSeerX

IJRMET Vol. 4, IssuE 2, May - ocTobER   2014
w w w . i j r m e t . c o m InternatIonal Journal of research In MechanIcal engIneerIng & technology 73
 ISSN : 2249-5762 (Online)  |  ISSN : 2249-5770 (Print)
Condition Monitoring of Internal Combustion Engine 
Using Oil Analysis Program
1Gautam Yadav, 2Pranabesh Ganai, 3Sudhir Tiwari, 4Madhuri Maheshwari
1,2,3,4SGSITS Indore, MP, India
Abstract
Engine oil analysis is a process that involves a sample of engine oil, 
whether unused or used, and analyzing it for various properties and 
wear metal particle in order to monitor wear metals, TAN, TBN, 
Viscosity, Water Content and contamination. Engine oil sample 
have been analysed by Spectrometric oil analysis program and oil 
test center (kittiwake), determine the wear rate, and overall service 
condition of an engine, along with spotting potential problems 
and catastrophic failure before it happens. After experiment work 
have been done, results show information of petrol engine car has 
max wear of component as compare to diesel engine car. Both 
petrol and diesel engine car oil samples have been contaminated 
by water and acid at same level. Due to increased water and acid 
content present in oil, corrosion increased.
Keywords
Condition Monitoring, Wear Metal Particle, Oil Analysis, Engine 
Component Failure and SOAP
I. Introduction
Engine is the heart of automobile vehicles. Engine performances 
are directly dependent upon the health of its components like 
piston, cylinder, cylinder head, crankshaft, cam shaft, connecting 
rod etc. Metals in lubricating oil can come from various sources, 
such as wear, contamination and additives [1]. Wear metals 
result from friction or corrosion of the engine components; 
for example pistons, bushing, piston ring and bearings, during 
operation. Contamination can come from dirt, leaks or residual 
metal pieces. Additives used as detergents, anti-oxidants and 
anti-wear agents, are added in order to reduce engine wear. 
Wear of a specific component is heralded by an increase in the 
concentration of a particular metal, or the sudden appearance of 
a metal [2]. Since different engine components are composed of 
different alloys, the increase of a particular metal can be used to 
identify impending failure of a specific component. An analysis 
of trace metals in engine oil has permitted the identification of 
wearing components before severe failure, without dismantling 
of the engine. Spectrometric Oil Analysis Program (SOAP). The 
determination of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn using 
atomic absorption spectroscopy. The used engine oil samples 
were digested with HCL [3-4]. By knowing the amount of each 
elemental metal in the sample, able to narrow down and monitor 
wear patterns of specific components in an engine, such as bearings 
or valve stems. Not only can an analysis detect these elemental 
metals, also detect various types of contamination too. Insoluble 
matter (carbon, dirt, etc), fuel, or coolant can all be detected, and 
give the ability to spot any abnormalities before they become a 
costly or dangerous problem. This allows increasing an engine’s 
service life, reducing repair bills, unscheduled down time, and 
potential catastrophic failures [5].
As lubricant degrades, contaminates such as water, fuel and 
coolant are accumulated into the lubricant. The source of water 
in the engine lubricant can be from a diffusion of vapor water 
from the atmosphere, water condensation promoted by cyclic 
variation of temperature, and aging of the lubricant [6]. Fuel 
contamination decreases the viscosity of lubricant, and this is 
typically leads to increased engine wear. Presence of fuel in the 
lubricant can be caused by leaking/defective injectors, excessive 
idling, incomplete combustion, worn liner/rings and poor fuel 
quality. Some detergents do not effectively neutralize all acidic 
species present in the lubricant, and thereby thus reserving their 
own base, which shows up as TBN, while in fact the oil may 
no longer not provide sufficient any protection against bearing 
corrosion. This hypothesis is supported with bench and engine 
test data. Total Acid Number (TAN) measurements be included 
in this analysis. Where time and cost allows, wear metals content, 
oxidation, soot content, and viscosity should also be evaluated 
[7].
II. Experimental work
In this research, two used engine oil samples collected by two 
different automobile vehicles, one is petrol engine car and other 
is diesel car. Same grade of fresh oil samples have collected of 
both used sample also and complete description of about fresh 
and used oil samples is given in Table 1.
Table 1: Description of Collected Samples
S. 
No.
Oil Sample 
Name
Sample 
Representation
Oil Condition Used Life 
(in KM)
1. Petrol car 
engine fresh 
oil
P-00 Fresh 00
2. Petrol car 
engine used 
oil
P-2400 Used 2400
3. Diesel car 
engine fresh 
oil
D-00 Fresh 00
4. Diesel car 
engine used 
oil 
D-8860 Used 8860
A spectrophotometer is a device to measure light intensity at 
different wavelengths. It produces light with a light source, and 
after the light passes through a subject, the light is diffracted into 
a spectrum which is detected by a sensor and interpreted into 
results we can use. The output of a spectrophotometer is usually 
a graph of light intensity versus wavelength. It is a maintenance 
tool which is used to check the condition of the oil lubricated 
mechanical systems (Examples: Motors, Engines, Gear boxes, 
Hydraulic systems). The systems can be kept under surveillance 
without dismantling them. Abnormally worn compounds can be 
localized and replaced before a catastrophic failure occurs. The 
quantity and type of wear metals in sample of lubricating oil 
is determined. The quantity can indicate something about the 
magnitude of the wear and the type of wear metals can reveal 
which component is wearing out.
IJRMET Vol. 4, IssuE 2, May - ocTobER  2014  ISSN : 2249-5762 (Online)  |  ISSN : 2249-5770 (Print)
w w w . i j r m e t . c o m 74   InternatIonal Journal of research In MechanIcal engIneerIng & technology
III. Experimental Procedures
A. Experimental Procedure and Apparatus: FAAS GBC 
Avanta
Samples were decomposed using the microwave digestion 
with concentrated nitric acid, 5 mlHNO3 for 5 ml oil sample in 
microwave digestion. For the decomposition of samples super 
pure nitric acid was used. Digested samples were diluted by 40ml 
distilled water. The atomic absorption spectrometer GBC Avanta 
equipped with flame atomization and hydride generation system 
HG 3000 with electric heating accessory EHT-10 (GBC, Australia) 
was used for all measurements. The instrument was equipped 
with a deuterium lamp background correction system. Standard 
instrument parameters for the analysis were applied. Copper, 
magnesium, and zinc were determined by the flame atomization 
technique with an acetylene air flame. Selenium was determined 
using the hydride generation technique. The quartz absorption 
tube for hydride generation was heated to 950◦C. [8]
B. Experimental Apparatus: Oil Test Centre (Kittiwake)
Oil test centre by kittiwake was used to study the oil properties. 
The instrument consist of a console, heated viscometer, water 
present in oil test, insoluble test, TBN test, TAN Test, number of 
reagents. The components should be clean by acetone before using 
in test. All test were performed according to detailed procedure 
which given by kittiwake manual [10].
1. Viscosity Test
Select mode 2 on viscometer, with the help of arrow key select the 
temperature 40°, Temperature display flashes as viscometer heats 
the oil, degree symbol flashes until the oil temperature stabilizes. 
Tilt the viscometer when prompted, when oil temperature is stable 
the display will show viscosity at 40° [10].
2. Water in Oil Test
Select mode 4 on console, place the cell on a level surface remove 
the endcap, add Reagent A up to the internal lip(20ml), add 5 
ml of the test oil using the syringe provided. Cut the reagent B 
sachet and add it to the cell, place the cell on the console and 
allow reading to stabilize, press zero button to zero the reading 
and start the test. Remove the cell from the console and shake it 
for 2 minutes until the display reaches l20. Then replace the cell 
on the console. The display will read directly percentage of water 
contamination in oil sample [10].
3. Insoluble Test
Select mode 2 on console, place the cell onto the console, take 
the insolubles tube and fill with Reagent J to the till line. Gently 
insert the insolubles tube into the test cell, shake the sample 
thoroughly. Remove a small volume of oil using a disposable 
pipette provided, return one drop of oil to the test tube. Place the 
cell on the console allow any bubble to settle, return the tube to the 
test cell. The display will read directly in percentage of insolubles 
contamination of the oil sample [10].
4. TBN Test
Select mode 3, add Reagent C to the TBN cell until the level 
reaches the internal lip inside the cell bowl. Add test oil: New Oil 
TBN 0-20 add 10 ml test oil. Remove the cell from the console 
and shake until the display reaches 120, replace the cell onto the 
console, the display will show reference value for the new oil 
repeat the above procedure using used oil. Press enter, the display 
will ask for the reference value again press enter the display will 
ask the new oil TBN, press enter to display the used oil TBN 
[10].
5. TAN Test
Select mode 5, add Reagent D on the TAN tube fill it upto the 
mark. Shake the sample thoroughly, remove 1 ml oil using syringe. 
Add to the TAN tube. Now carefully fill the 1 ml syringe with 
reagent E, add 1 drop to the TAN tube, shake and place the tube 
back in the TAN cell. Press return and enter the syringe reading 
of Reagent E, again press return and the display will show the 
TAN [10].
IV. Results & Discussion 
Table 2: Results of Petrol Engine Car Oil Sample
S. 
No. Properties
P-00
(Fresh Oil)
Specified 
Standard 
Value
P-2400
(Used – 
2400 km)
1. Appearance, Visual Clear & Bright
Slightly 
Hazy
2. Viscosity cSt @ 40˚C 148 108.6
3. Viscosity cSt @ 100˚C 19.8 12.0
4. TBN, mg KOH/g 11.0 1.1
5. TAN 4.8
6. Total Insoluble (present in oil) 0 0.3
7. Water Content 0 0.25
8.
Wear metal analysis (ppm)
Nil
513.3(1) Iron (Fe)
(2) Aluminum (Al) 56.8
(3) Copper (Cu) 4.1
(4) Lead (Pb) 10
(5) Zinc (Zn) 93.2
Following table covers a sample of used crankcase oil taken from 
a high speed petrol fueled engine. Significant increases in viscosity 
and TAN indicate to be high oxidized and unsuitable for further 
service. Viscosity of lubrication oil of all the vehicles which was 
used for the investigation, are listed below in the following table in 
this test viscosity of the oil are determined at 100° C. It is clear with 
the help of above viscosity test that as vehicle life increases (in term 
of running kilometer) the viscosity of the engine-oil decreases, 
which recommend changing out oil. Results represent value of 
Total insoluble and Water content was low in sample, which gives 
information about less contamination and fuel dilution. It shows 
good condition of lubricating oil and it can use for further service. 
Wear metal element concentration identified by SOAP analysis, 
Concentration of Aluminum and Iron particles has increased with 
vehicle runs. So that the parts of engine which was made from 
aluminum and iron, wear rate increased with vehicle run. 
IJRMET Vol. 4, IssuE 2, May - ocTobER   2014
w w w . i j r m e t . c o m InternatIonal Journal of research In MechanIcal engIneerIng & technology 75
 ISSN : 2249-5762 (Online)  |  ISSN : 2249-5770 (Print)
Table 3: Results of Diesel Engine Car Oil Sample
S. 
No. Properties
D-00
(Fresh Oil)
Specified 
Standard  
Value
D-8860
(Used – 
8860 km)
1. Appearance, Visual Clear & Bright Hazy
2. Viscosity cSt @ 40˚C 111 88.6
3. Viscosity cSt @ 100˚C 15.2 10.4
4. TBN, mg KOH/g 10.7 7.1
5. TAN 00 4.9
6. Total Insoluble (present in oil) 00 2.5
7. Water Content 00 1.10
8.
Wear metal analysis 
(ppm)
Nil
287.0(1) Iron (Fe)
(2) Aluminum (Al) 348.4
(3) Copper (Cu) 67.1
(4) Chromium (Cr) 26.3
(5) Lead (Pb) 46.0
(6) Zinc (Zn) 787.2
Table 3 covers an example of used crankcase oil taken from a high 
speed diesel powered engine. High viscosity and TAN shows to 
be high oxidized and unacceptable for further service. Viscosity 
of lubricating oil of every last one of vehicles which was used for 
the examination, are recorded in the following table in this test 
viscosity of the oil are determined at 100° C. It is clear with the 
assistance of above viscosity test that as vehicle life increments 
(in term of running kilometer) the viscosity engine oil decreases, 
which recommend changing out oil. Wear metal component 
element concentration by SOAP analysis, Concentration of 
Aluminum, Zinc and Iron particles has increase with vehicle runs. 
So that the parts of engine which was made from aluminum and 
iron, wear rate increased with vehicle run.
Graph 1: Graph Between Wear Metal Element and Wear Particle 
Concentration in Both Oil Samples
V. Conclusion
Finally concluded that, test result of Petrol engine car oil sample 
(P-2400) shows lubricating oil has less contaminated and has low 
concentration of metal wear particle. It shows petrol car engine 
has good health condition and very less chances of prior failure 
of component while other hand Diesel engine car oil sample 
D-8860 has more contaminated and acid formed. Viscosity of 
oil also decreases significantly. Acid in oil, it has possibilities 
of corrosion of engine component and negative effect on part. 
Due to this, aluminum and iron component of engine has max 
wear out. Wear metal analysis shows that expected prior failure 
component in Diesel engine will neoprene seal, oil pump bushing, 
and piston rings. Oil sample has max concentration of zinc debris 
which shows max wear of neoprene seal or coolant leak. Finally 
concluded that petrol engine car health and condition is good, it 
has no chances of catastrophic failure as compare to diesel engine 
car. Diesel engine car will occur catastrophic failure before as 
compare to petrol engine car and diesel engine car health and 
condition is not good.   
References
[1] Beck JW, Johnson JH.,"The application of analytical 
ferrography and spectrography to detect normal and abnormal 
Diesel engine wear", SAE Paper 841371, 1984.
[2] Application Note #AA3005ADetermination of wear 
metals and additives (soaps) in lubricating oil by atomic 
absorption.
[3] A.W. Varnes,"Analytical methods for the analysis of 
petroleum products", Spectroscopy 1, 1985, pp. 28–33.
[4] Li Dan Chen, Yao Jun Zheng, Li Dan Chen et al.,"Determination 
of Major Metals Contents in Engine Lubricating Oil Based 
on Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy", 2012, Advanced 
Materials Research, 496, 472.
[5] Water Contamination: Management of Water During 
the Lubricant Life CycleBy John SanderVice President 
–Technology Lubrication Engineers, Inc.
[6] W. van Dam, D.H. Broderick, R.L. Freerks, V.R. Small, W.W. 
Willis Oronite Global Technology; TBN Retention.
[7] GBC Avanta Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Instrument 
manual. 
[8] Concepts, Instrumentation and Techniques in Atomic 
Absorption Spectrophotometry Richard D. Beaty, Jack D. 
Kerber
[9] Kittiwake oil test centre manual.
Gautam Yadav received his B.E. degree 
in Mechanical Engineering from 
Jawaharlal Institute of Technology, 
Vidhya Vihar Borawan, Khargone, 
Madhya Pradesh, India, in 2012 
and the M.E. degree in Tribology 
and Maintenance Engineering from 
SGSITS Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 
India, in 2014. He was a teaching 
assistant in Department of Mechanical 
Engineering, SGSITS Indore in 2013-
2014. At present, He is assistant professor in Department of 
Mechanical Engineering at Shri Govindram Seksariya Institute 
of Technology and Science, Indore Madhya Pradesh, India.


Condition Monitoring of Internal Combustion Engine Using Oil Analysis Program 1

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Condition Monitoring of Internal Combustion Engine Using Oil Analysis Program 1

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