Transmission Testing Results
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Elemental Analysis:

The spectrographic analysis of the oil identifies the presence of metals in the oils. The test results are expressed in the parts per million (PPM). These metals can be in the form of wear particles, contaminants, base oil or oil additives. The series of metals selected will identify excessive wear in major or minor components and the current status of the additive packages added to your engine oil. Be sure to identify the brand and type of engine oil that you are using!

The test package includes:

• Iron, a principle element of most major equipment components.
• Chromium, an alloying element in components.
• Nickel, which is used in valves, gears, and bearings.
• Aluminum, an element used in pistons, bearings, washers, torque converters and some major components.
• Copper, usually found in the form of bronze or brass. This is used in various components.
• Tin, used in babbit bearings or as an oil additive.
• Lead, used in Babbit bearings and as an oil additive.
• Silicon, an oil additive or contaminant.
• Sodium, an oil additive or contaminant.
• Boron, an oil additive.
• Manganese, an oil additive.
• Calcium, an oil additive.
• Barium, an oil additive.
• Zinc, an oil additive.
• Phosphorus, an oil additive.
• Molybdenum, an oil additive.

Viscosity:

This measures the ability of the oil to resist flow at specific temperatures. We measure the viscosity of the oil at 40 and 100 degrees Celsius to calculate the rate of change of the viscosity. This is referred to as the VI.

Oxidation:

A form of chemical degradation resulting from the exposure of oil to oxygen while at high temperatures. Oxidation produces varnishes, gums, sludges, and acids.

Sulfation:

A measure of the amount of contamination by sulfur based compounds formed when oil is exposed to hot combustion byproducts which contain sulfate products originating from sulfur in the fuel. Also, in the presence of water sulfur-based acids from which deplete additives, breaks down the oil and promotes oxidation.

Water Content:

Water ingress not only accelerates corrosion, but can also change the lubricant’s properties through reaction with the additives, thus resulting in emulsification. Some amount of water is normal in an engine, but excessive amounts can cause worn or failing engine components.

Fuel Dilution:

A measure of the amount of fuel contamination in an oil sample. This contamination is due to over-rich mixture or mechanical malfunction. The mechanical malfunction results in bearing damage due to the reduction in the oils viscosity, premature breakdown of the oil, oxidation and sludge formation.

Glycol Contamination:

A measure of the amount of contamination of the oil with the fluid used in engine cooling systems. The glycol and water based cooling fluid enters the oil due to a seal or engine component crack and will react with the oil causing oxidation, loss of oil additives, and sludging.

Wear Index:

A measurement of the amount of ferrous wear within a system.

Acid Number:

This test evaluates the degradation of the oil due to organic acids formed by the oil in service and contamination by ingested acids that occur in some applications. Oils containing inorganic additives will display an acid number in the new unused product. This is due to the potassium hydroxide used in the acid number test reacting with the additives. Once you know what the new oil acid number is, you can monitor the increase in organic acid formation above the new oil baseline. The more severe the service, the higher the additive levels, and therefore the higher the new oil acid number. The lower the new oil acid number, the more critical it is to monitor small changes in the acid number.

In general, oil degradation causes residues and sludge to form, which in turn decreases efficiency and can destroy machinery components through acidic attack. Unfortunately, when an acid number begins to increase, it is a condemning limit, not just a warning limit.

To evaluate the relative acid number of used oil, a new oil sample should be tested for a reference.

Wear Debris Analysis:

The physical analysis of the wear debris that has been generated by the deterioration of the moving parts within the system. A diagnosis of the wear mechanisms and extent of the damage to components is made using the following parameters.

The test package includes:

• Wear index: A measurement of the amount of ferrous wear within a system.
• Particle Quantifier Index (PQ): A measurement of the wear debris filtered from the used oil.
• Magnetic Separation Index (Mag I): A measurement of ferrous wear debris magnetically separated from other debris.
• Contamination Index (Contamin): A measurement of the amount of metallic contamination.
• Average Size: The average size of the particle size of the wear debris.
• Maximum Size: The maximum particle size of the wear debris.
• Density Index (Density): A measurement of the density of the largest wear particles.
• Particle Type: The wear particle classification according to the size and shape used to determine the mechanism of wear.

Health Status:

A health status evaluation will be given for the lubricant and the components condition. The evaluation is shown on two areas of the report. the first is a graph showing a color coded system of green, yellow, and red indicators relating to overall system health. The second shows a narrative explanation of the status, problem, and a recommendation. An example form has been provided for your review. Sample reports will be displayed using the PDF format. You will need to download a free copy of this reader to view your reports. OilMedic has provided access to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

In an effort to provide a document platform without software incompatibilities, OilMedic has elected to use the Acrobat reader because it has become a universal exchange tool. The Acrobat reader is a reliable and efficient way to share information electronically. When your report is finished, it is converted into an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file, with its original appearance preserved, and then distributed to you for viewing and printing on any system. Viewing your report becomes a snap!

If you follow a preventive maintenance plan by sampling your oils on an ongoing basis, then a different data report will be provided to you, as shown below. OilMedic automatically retrieves and collates your past data and provides a historic record for your vehicle. This now gives you the ability to make long term decisions.

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