A Coolant Prone Engine - A Marine Engine Case Study
A ferry company in the Pacific Northwest had an oil analysis program in place to monitor their engines. Their technician would sample the engine by opening it up, and suctioning the oil out. Simple sampling method but their oil analysis reports consistently came back stating coolant was present in the engine’s oil. Coolant is a very common, and serious oil contaminant. Water from the coolant reduces the lubricant properties causing severe bearing problems, while the glycol degrades at high temperatures and forms into sludge. The company would drain, inspect and flush their engines, costing them about $3000 each time.
Was the problem with the engine?
No… After further investigation it was found that the technician was not following the correct sampling procedures. The SAME plastic tubing was being used to sample both the coolant and engine systems. That residual coolant left in the tubing and vacuum pump would show up on their analysis reports indicating a significant presence of coolant in their engines.
Their solution was to change their sampling method away from the vacuum pump and drop tube method. The installed KPs onto their engine. The results were immediate, coolant was no longer showing up in the engine’s oil analysis report.
In addition to eliminating the cross-contamination, with the better oil samples, the company was able to successfully optimize the drain intervals on their hydraulic systems, saving them $5000.
| One time cost of sampling valves |
$1991 |
| Savings from not having to flush their engine |
$3000 |
| Savings on postponing the drain on their hydraulics |
$5000 |
| Total Savings |
$6009 |
301% ROI in the First Year
