
Does anyone know of a place that i could send a sample of oil from tintops sump to be analysed?
Apparently operators of open cast mines etc (the ones that run huge expensive earth works machinery) get the oil checked periodically to ensure they
run well with no problems (the tests check if bearings etc are starting to fail and need routine maintenance rather than awaiting a very costly down
time). I dont know anyone who runs such a maintenance section though.
The reason im thinking of it is that i recently had the engine rebuilt (turbo diesel) and brand new turbo fitted. The turbo lasted 2,500 miles before
it packed in. Garret have declined the warranty because they say the bearing failed due to being fed with contaminated oil. The engine was fully
cleaned out etc, new OE filters fitted and fresh oil. Myself and engine builder are at a loss as to where the contamination has come from. Reason to
get it tested is to try and determine root cause of failure in case something else needs attention and also to prove the turbo specialists findings.
All the turbo people could say is that the contamination didnt look metallic, but that doesnt give us much to go at. We obvioulsy dont want to go to
the expense of fitting another turbo to find that fails too.
Im also trying to think how the engine can be flushed out when it is minus the turbo - obviously it cant be run (or can it???). The only thing i can
think to do is clean out sump again, clean out any removable bits (oil pipes, intercooler etc), put it all back together and change the oil after a
few hundred miles. Would like piece of mind on the contamination source first though.
sent u2u
try millers oils, i know they do but the results you get are far better when youve used millers oils as they can compare the difference.