Understanding Oil Contaminants
With the optimistic economic projections for 2018 attending the Mid America Truck Show March 22nd to 24th in Louisville KY would be time well spent. Every year the show highlights new products and technologies as well as items that have been around for years that could improve your operations and add $$$$ to your bottom line. You never know what you can learn at the free seminars or from visiting with the exhibitors or fellow truckers. It will be well worth your time to attend.
As I’ve discussed before there are two ways to grow your profit either increase revenues faster than costs or decreasing costs while maintaining or growing revenues. The projected economic growth should help to increase revenues with more freight moving, tightening capacity, and increasing rates. The companies that do the best job controlling their costs will generate the most profits. The seminars at MATS range from rate negotiation, to controlling maintenance costs, general bookkeeping and taxes. They will help you on the right path to profitability.
This month’s question is a common one. Why does my oil sample show higher silicon and sodium during the winter? There are several possible causes but most likely it is due to the use of salt and sand on roadways. The sand is silicon and salts contain sodium, therefore there are added opportunities to contaminate the sample when drawn by not cleaning the sample port etc. Always wipe the sample port clean before drawing sample. There would also be more salts and sodium in the air that would be sucked into any abnormalities in the intake system and/or defective air filter. Inspect air filter and change if necessary and ensure all air ducts are secure without any holes etc. If the increase in sodium is accompanied by an increase in potassium it indicates an antifreeze intrusion contaminating the motor oil. The coolant system will require pressure testing and inspection to locate the problem and repair to avoid internal engine damage. This is another reason to perform oil sampling frequently to identify contamination issues before engine problems arise.
Remember oil sampling not only verifies the quality of the oil but identifies any wear metals or contaminants that indicate the engine is not functioning properly and if the defects are not corrected quickly it is likely that a costly component failure is inevitable. Sampling creates a historical record that if properly reviewed and acted upon will save time and expense in the long run and lower the overall maintenance expenses, increasing your bottom line.
Products that remove contaminants from the lubricating oil as part of a maintenance program that includes oil sampling will ensure that oil expenses and engine wear will be under control resulting in lower overall expenses, improving profits and increasing engine longevity.
Take the time to research what products are available, compare initial cost of products, cost of filters, sample kits on a yearly basis etc. to find out which system will work best for your operation. You will find many filtration systems at The Mid America Truck Show, March 22nd to 24th at The Kentucky Exposition Center Louisville KY. Numerous products will all be on display and personnel available to answer your questions. The show has everything you will ever need to run a successful operation and is well worth your time to attend. To register free go to: https://www.truckingshow.com/attendee-registration
Stop by OPS- Oil Purification booth# 68216 throughout the show to learn about the OPS EcoPur On-Board Oil Refiner and oil sampling programs. If you have any questions for this column please email me at: [email protected].