Coolants and Coolant Analysis
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When an internal combustion engine burns fuel, heat is created at temperatures as high as 4000?F (2200?C). Some form of cooling must remove this heat. The two most common ways to dissipate heat are by liquid cooling and sometimes by air cooling.
Engine coolant analysis has been a successful technique for scientific preventive maintenance. It is applicable to any closed loop cooling system, but is applied primarily to diesel and gasoline engines because they are the most likely component to suffer from a poorly operating cooling system. Overheating causes oil deterioration, oxidation, reduced lubricity and damage to all oil wetted components. The longevity of liquid cooled transmission and hydraulic system components are also dependent on a properly operating cooling system. A properly maintained cooling system not only prevents overheating but also maintains a constant engine temperature.
Poorly operating cooling systems cause the engine to run hotter which in turn causes the lubricant to oxidize and loose it’s lubricity thus causing abnormal wear in all oil wetted areas. The following is a list of reason why coolant analysis is important:
- Protect against gel formation
- Protect against corrosion and rust
- Protect against over/under concentration of SCA’s
- Extend drain intervals
- Protect your engine
- Environmental/disposal concerns
Relevant Spectro Inc. Products
Relevant Analytical Tests