Oil for diesel engines
Content
Oil for diesel engines differs from similar fluids for gasoline units. This is due to the difference in their operation, as well as the conditions in which the lubricant has to work. namely, a diesel internal combustion engine operates at lower temperatures, uses a lean fuel-air mixture, and the processes of mixture formation and combustion occur faster. Therefore, diesel oil must have certain characteristics and properties, which we will talk about in this article.
How to choose diesel engine oil
Before moving on to the characteristics of the oil, it is worth briefly dwelling on the conditions in which it is forced to work. First of all, it must be remembered that the fuel in diesel ICEs does not burn out completely, leaving a large amount of soot as a result of combustion. And if the diesel fuel is of poor quality and it contains a large amount of sulfur, then the combustion products also have a more detrimental effect on the oil.
Since the pressure in a diesel engine is much higher, crankcase gases are also formed in large quantities, and appropriate ventilation does not always cope with them. This is the direct reason that diesel engine oil ages much faster, loses its protective and detergent properties, and also oxidizes.
There are several parameters that a motorist must take into account when choosing a lubricant. There are three such main characteristics of engine oil:
- quality - the requirements are spelled out in the API / ACEA / ILSAC classifications;
- viscosity - similar to the SAE standard;
- the base of the oil is mineral, synthetic or semi-synthetic.
Relevant information is indicated on the oil packaging. However, at the same time, the car owner must know the requirements that the automaker makes in order to choose a fluid with the right parameters.
Characteristics of diesel engine oil
then we will take a closer look at the listed parameters in order for a car enthusiast to be guided by them when buying and choose the lubricant that is most suitable for the internal combustion engine of a car.
Oil quality
As mentioned above, it is prescribed by international standards API, ACEA and ILSAC. As for the first standard, the symbols "C" and "S" are indicators of which internal combustion engine the lubricant is intended for. So, the letter "C" means that it is designed for diesel engines. And if "S" - then for gasoline. There is also a universal type of oil, indicated by certification as S / C. Naturally, in the context of this article, we will be interested in oils from the first category.
In addition to indicating the version of the internal combustion engine, there is a more detailed decoding of the marking. For diesel engines it looks like this:
- the letters CC indicate not only the "diesel" purpose of the oil, but also that the engines must be atmospheric, or with moderate boost;
- CD or CE are high boost diesel oils produced before and after 1983, respectively;
- CF-4 - designed for 4-stroke engines released after 1990;
- CG-4 - new generation oils, for units manufactured after 1994;
- CD-11 or CF-2 - designed for 2-stroke diesel engines.
In addition, you can recognize "diesel" oil according to the ACEA specification:
- B1-96 - designed for units without turbocharging;
- B2-96 and B3-96 - designed for car units with or without turbocharging;
- E1-96, E2-96 and E3-96 are for trucks with high boost engines.
Oil viscosity
The ease of pumping oil through the channels and elements of the system directly depends on the viscosity value. In addition, the viscosity of the oil affects the rate of its supply to the rubbing working pairs in the internal combustion engine, the battery charge consumption, as well as the mechanical resistance of the crankshaft by the starter when starting in cold conditions. Therefore, for diesel engines, grease with a viscosity index of 5W (up to -25 ° C), 10W (up to -20 ° C), less often 15W (up to -15 ° C) is most often used. Accordingly, the smaller the number before the letter W, the less viscous the oil will be.
Energy-saving oils have a low viscosity. They create a small protective film on the metal surface, but at the same time save energy and fuel for its production. However, these oils should be used only with specific ICEs (they should have narrow oil passages).
When choosing one or another oil, you must always take into account the regional characteristics in which the machine operates. namely, the minimum temperature in winter and the maximum in summer. If this difference is large, then it is better to buy two oils separately - winter and summer, and replace them seasonally. If the difference in temperature is small, then you can use the "all season".
If the internal combustion engine has problems with the cylinder-piston group, compression, and also does not start well “cold”, then it is better to buy diesel engine oil with a lower viscosity.
The basis of engine oil for diesel
It is also customary to divide oil into types depending on their basis. Three types of oil are known today, the cheapest of them is mineral oil. But it is rarely used, except perhaps in old ICEs, since synthetic or semi-synthetic ones have more stable characteristics.
However, the main factors are only the compliance of the characteristics declared by the oil manufacturer with those required by the automaker, as well as oil originality. The second factor is no less important than the first, since many car dealerships currently sell fakes that do not match the declared characteristics.
What is the best oil for a turbodiesel
The mode of operation of a turbocharged diesel engine is different from the usual one. First of all, this is expressed in the huge speed of rotation of the turbine (more than 100 and even 200 thousand revolutions per minute), due to which the temperature of the internal combustion engine increases significantly (it can exceed + 270 ° C), and its wear increases. Therefore, oil for a diesel engine with a turbine must have higher protective and operational properties.
Considerations for choosing one or another brand of oil for a turbocharged diesel engine remain the same as for a conventional one. The main thing in this case is compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations. There is a certain opinion that turbocharged diesel engine oil must be synthetic-based. However, in reality this is not the case.
Of course, "synthetics" would be a better solution, but it is quite possible to fill in both "semi-synthetics" and even "mineral water", but the latter option would not be the best choice. Although its price is less, given the operating conditions, it will need to be changed more often, which will result in additional waste, and it will be worse to protect the internal combustion engine.
Let's list the information about which turbodiesel oils are recommended by popular manufacturers. So, for turbocharged diesel engines manufactured after 2004 and having a particulate filter, according to the ACEA standard, it is supposed to use:
DELO diesel engine oil
- Mitsubishi and Mazda recommend B1 oils;
- Toyota (Lexus), Honda (Acura), Fiat, Citroen, Peugeot - B2 oils;
- Renault-Nissan - B3 and B4 oils.
Other automakers recommend the following products:
- The Ford company for turbo diesel engines manufactured in 2004 and later with a particulate filter recommends M2C913C brand oil.
- Volkswagen (as well as Skoda and Seat, which are part of the concern) even singles out the brand of VW 507 00 Castrol engine oil for turbodiesel engines of its concern, which were produced before 2004 and have a particulate filter.
- In cars manufactured by General Motors Corporation (Opel, Chevrolet and others), turbocharged diesel engines after 2004 with a particulate filter, it is recommended to use Dexos 2 oil.
- For turbodiesel BMWs manufactured before 2004 and equipped with a particulate filter, the recommended oil is BMW Longlife-04.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the TDI engines installed on Audi. They have the following permissions:
- engines up to 2000 of release - index VW505.01;
- motors 2000-2003 - 506.01;
- units after 2004 have an oil index of 507.00.
It is worth noting that a turbocharged diesel engine must be filled with high-quality oil that meets the requirements declared by the manufacturer. This is due to the operating conditions of the unit described above. In addition, remember that a turbocharged car needs an occasional trip with a good load, so that the turbine and oil in it do not “stagnate”. Therefore, do not forget not only to use the “correct” oil, but also to operate the machine correctly.
Brands of oils for diesel internal combustion engines
Popular global automakers directly recommend that consumers use oils of certain brands (often produced by them). For example:
Popular oil ZIC XQ 5000
- Hyundai/Kia recommends ZIC (XQ LS) oil.
- Ford for ICE Zetec offers M2C 913 oil.
- In ICE Opel until 2000, ACEA allowed A3 / B3 oil. Motors after 2000 can run on oil approved GM-LL-B-025.
- BMW recommends the use of approved Castrol oils or oil from its own BMW Longlife brand. This is especially true for internal combustion engines, which are equipped with variable valve timing systems.
- The Mercedes-Benz concern for diesel engines after 2004, equipped with a particulate filter, provides oil under its own brand with an index of 229.31 and 229.51. One of the highest engine oil tolerances for diesel engines is an index from 504.00 to 507. In diesel trucks, it is recommended to use oil marked CF-00.
further we give practical information with a rating of popular oils for diesel engines. When compiling the rating, the opinion of experts conducting relevant research was taken into account. i.e. for oil the following indicators are important:
- the presence of unique additives;
- reduced phosphorus content, which ensures safe interaction of the liquid with the exhaust gas aftertreatment system;
- good protection against corrosion processes;
- low hygroscopicity (oil does not absorb moisture from the atmosphere).
| Mark | Description | Viscosity | API/THAT | Price |
| ZIC XQ 5000 10W-40 | One of the best and most popular diesel oils. Produced in South Korea. Can be used in ICEs with a turbine. Recommended for Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Volvo, Scania, Renault, MACK | 10W-40 | API CI-4; ACEA E6/E4. Has the following approvals: MB 228.5/228.51, MAN M 3477/3277 Reduced Ash, MTU Type 3, VOLVO VDS-3, SCANIA LDF-2, Cummins 20076/77/72/71, Renault VI RXD, Mack EO-M+ | $22 for a 6 liter canister. |
| LIQUI MOLY 5W-30 TopTech-4600 | Popular and relatively inexpensive oil from a well-known German manufacturer. | 5W-30 | ACEA C3; APISN/CF; MB release 229.51; BMW Long Life 04; VW 502.00/505.00; Ford WSS-M2C 917A; dexos 2 | $110 for a 20 liter canister. |
| ADDINOL Diesel Longlife MD 1548 (SAE 15W-40) | Belongs to the class of oils designed to work with heavily loaded ICEs (Heavy Duty Engine Oil). Therefore, it can be used not only in passenger cars, but also in trucks. | 15W-40 | CI-4, CF-4, CG-4, CH-4, CI-4 PLUS, SL; A3/B3, E3, E5, E7. Approvals: MB 228.3, MB 229.1, Volvo VDS-3, Renault RLD-2, Global DHD-1, MACK EO-N, Allison C-4, VW 501 01, VW 505 00, ZF TE-ML 07C, Caterpillar ECF -2, Caterpillar ECF-1-a, Deutz DQC III-10, MAN 3275-1 | $125 for a 20 liter canister. |
| Mobil Delvac MX 15W-40 | This Belgian oil is used for cars and trucks in Europe. Differs in high quality. | 15W-40 | API CI-4/CH-4/SL/SJ; ACEA E7; MB Approval 228.3; Volvo VDS-3; MAN M3275-1; Renault Trucks RLD-2 and others | $37 for a 4 liter canister. |
| CHEVRON Delo 400 MGX 15W-40 | American oil for diesel trucks and cars (Komatsu, Man, Chrysler, Volvo, Mitsubishi). Can be used in turbocharged internal combustion engines. | 15W-40 | API: CI-4, CH-4, CG-4, CF-4; ACEA: E4, E7. Manufacturer approvals: MB 228.51, Deutz DQC III-05, Renault RLD-2, Renault VI RXD, Volvo VDS-3, MACK EO-M Plus, Volvo VDS-2. | $15 for a 3,8 liter canister. |
| Castrol Magnatec Professional 5w30 | A very popular oil. However, it has a low kinetic viscosity. | 5W-30 | ACEA A5/B5; API CF/SN; ILSAC GF4; Meets Ford WSS-M2C913-C/WSS-M2C913-D. | $44 for a 4 liter canister. |
The average cost is indicated as of prices for the summer of 2017 for Moscow and the region
The price of diesel oil depends on four factors - the type of its base (synthetic, semi-synthetic, mineral), the volume of the container in which the liquid is sold, the characteristics according to SAE / API / ACEA standards and others, as well as the brand of the manufacturer. We recommend that you buy oil from the average price range.
Differences between diesel and gasoline engine oils
Causes harmful to oil
As you know, diesel internal combustion engines are based on the principle of compression ignition, and not from a spark (like gasoline). Such motors draw in air, which is compressed inside to a certain level. The mixture burns in diesel engines much faster than in gasoline engines, which makes it more difficult to ensure full fuel consumption, and this, in turn, leads to the formation of soot in considerable quantities on parts.
In view of this, and also due to the high pressure inside the chamber, the oil quickly loses its original properties, oxidizes and becomes obsolete. This is especially true when using low-quality diesel fuel, which is very abundant in our country. Related to this main difference between diesel oil from analogues for gasoline engines - it has stronger antioxidant and lubricating properties.
It is noteworthy that the rate of oil aging is much higher for worn diesel internal combustion engines, which means that they need more careful care.
Сonclusion
Oil for diesel internal combustion engines has more stable performance and operational characteristics than for gasoline units. When choosing, you must monitor the compliance of oil parameters manufacturer's stated requirements. This applies to both conventional diesel engines and turbocharged units.
also try to refuel at proven gas stations. If the diesel fuel has a high sulfur content, then the oil will fail much earlier. namely, the so-called base number (TBN). Unfortunately, for the post-Soviet countries there is a problem when low-quality fuel is sold at gas stations. Therefore, try to fill in oil with TBN = 9 ... 12, usually this value is indicated next to the ACEA standard.
