Field case · Oil analysis
Locomotive engine: oil analysis found severe sliding wear and the overhaul found metal in the sump
Quick answer
A routine spectrometric oil sample from a main diesel locomotive engine showed rising wear metals. A ferrogram confirmed large sliding wear particles and copper and white-metal chunks. The engine was pulled and the overhaul found the bearings close to failure.
What the case covers
- The sample
- The follow-up
- The decision and the finding
- What to take from it
Takeaway. A step from fine wear metals to large sliding particles, copper chunks and water oxides was enough to pull the engine before it failed. One element was a flag; the ferrogram made it a decision.
Read the full case, with the data and the numbers