Fuel dilution
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Fuel dilution in a used oil or hydraulic system is a measure of the fuel present in the sample. In diesel engines fuel dilution is usually caused by excessive idling, defective injectors, or loose connections. In aircraft turbines, the usual cause for fuel dilution is leakage of an inter-cooler. In all instances, excessive fuel in the lubricant or hydraulic fluid reduces the oil film strength due to viscosity decrease, thus increasing metal-to metal contact and wear. Excessive fuel also leads to premature oil oxidation.
Through periodic oil analysis with instruments such as the Spectro Q400 Oil Analyzer and Fuel Sniffer, fuel can be detected giving the user the opportunity to react accordingly and make adjustments to rectify the problem before it gets out of hand.
Applicable Spectro Products: