IK1200776 - Understanding Used Oil Analysis

Page 1 of 3

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IK1200776
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ISIS, FleetISIS

Revision:

2

Major
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ENGINES

Created:

6/27/2012

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English

Last
Modified:

11/18/2013

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Author:

Anthony
Stover

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46

14

Title: Understanding Used Oil Analysis
Applies To: MaxxForce 5, 7, DT, 9, 10, 11, 13,15 engine models
DESCRIPTION
The engine service manual identifies the proper oil drain interval for your engine and should be followed,
whether oil miles or accumulated hours, depending on the application. Applications such as school buses,
urban buses, and garbage packers may reach oil drain interval in hours before miles. Many owners use the
drain as an opportunity to obtain oil samples. Oil analysis is a tool that can be used to assess an engine’s
health and maximize its life. This document communicates the abnormal and critical levels for pertinent oil
characteristics. A normally operating engine will end a drain interval at or below the abnormal levels. An
occasional excursion above abnormal levels may occur. In the instance that oil analysis characteristics
exceed the critical level during a regular oil drain interval, reconfirmthe maintenance interval per the criteria
(fuel economy, average speed, etc.) in the service manual,and adjust if necessary.
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The engine oil guidelines below should not be treated as a sole reason for disassembly of the engine.
Excursions past the critical levels can be justification for further investigation into engine performance
and maintenance practices of the engine or vehicle. In these instances consult your local International®
Truck or IC Bus® dealer for further guidance. In most cases servicing of the oil and filter is
recommended.
Sodium (Na) and potassium (K) content above abnormal and critical levels is a potential indicator of
coolant contamination. If either reaches critical levels, consult your local International® Truck or IC
Bus® dealer.
Due to testing inaccuracy in fuel dilution measurement, viscosity, not fuel dilution, should be the
primary indicator for additional engine diagnosis, beyond servicing of oil, for excursions of either
parameter. Fuel dilution should only be used as a means of determining the cause of low viscosity
levels. Abnormal and criticalminimum viscosity limitsdiffer byoil viscosity grade so that both
unacceptably low viscosity levels and unacceptably high fuel dilution levels are indentified.
Total Base Number (TBN) is a measure of the oils ability to neutralize acids. As acids are formed in the
engine, the TBN is depleted when neutralizing these acids. When TBN falls below the minimum
recommended level, internal corrosion may occur. If TBN falls below the minimum over the course of a
drain interval, consult the product data sheet for your oil to obtain the TBN level of new oil.
MaxxForce® Diesel Engines are developed for operation with new oil at a TBNalevel of 10 or higher. In
the case where TBN falls below the criteria, a shortened oil drain or a minimum 10 TBNalevel for new
oil is highly recommended.
Included in this document are guidelines for assessing engine oil condition. Used oil wear metals limits
have been omitted due to the fact that these are highly dependent on application, service, time/mileage

https://evalue.internationaldelivers.com/service_kb/DocTool/ArticleViewer.aspx?ControlI...

12/2/2013

IK1200776 - Understanding Used Oil Analysis

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on oil, etc. See your local International® Truck or IC Bus® dealer if assistance in interpretation of oil
analysis is needed.
ABNORMAL & CRITICAL LEVELS FOR10W-30, 5W-30OILS
Abnormal Levels
Max Sib
Make
Navistar
Navistar
Navistar
Navistar

Models
(ppm)
All Others
20
- Pre 2007
MaxxForce
20
7
MxF 5,
MxF DT, 9, 20
&10
MxF11, 13,
20
& 15

Max Nab Max Kb

d
Min Visc Max Visc Max H2O

(ppm)

(ppm)

(cSt)

40

50

10

40

50

40
40

Max
e

Min TBNf

(cSt)

(%)

Soot
(%)

14

0.2

4

3.5

10

15

0.2

4

3.5

50

10 g

14

0.2

4

3.5

50

11

15

0.2

3

3.5

g

(mgKOH/g)

Critical Levels
Max Sib
Make

Models
(ppm)
All Others
Navistar
30
- Pre 2007
MaxxForce
Navistar
30
7
MxF 5,
Navistar MxF DT, 9, 30
&10
MxF11, 13,
Navistar
30
& 15

Max
Visc
(cSt)

Max
H2Od

(ppm)

Min
Visc
(cSt)

(%)

Max
Soote
(%)

100

150

9g

15

0.5

5

3

100

150

10

16

0.5

5

3

100

150