amsoil - OilTek Solutions

In order to test the performance capabilitiesof AMSOIL Synthetic 15W-40 Heavy DutyDiesel and Marine Oil (AME), AMSOILsought a partner with a fleet that operatedin truly severe conditions. The perfectmatch was found in Duluth, Minn.-basedNordic Waste. Nordic Waste operates afl eet of 10 International refuse haulers,providing trash and recycling pickup toresidential and commercial customers inthe greater Duluth/Superior, Wis. region.Nordic’s trucks operate in the bitter cold of sub-zerowinters as well as on humid summer days that can topout at over 90ºF. In addition, Lake Superior’s influenceon the area’s weather patterns can create extremetemperature swings just miles from the lake, somethingNordic’s trucks encounter regularly. The company’sfleet runs 12 hours a day with frequent stops and redlinedstarts, all while hauling up to 22,000 lbs. of refuseand navigating the seriously steep hills of Duluth.As if the geographic challenges aren’t enough, perhapsthe greatest strain these refuse haulers’ enginesface is dumping the refuse. This action requires theengine to remain near or above redline throughout theprocess and shakes the truck enough to nearly lift thefront tires off the ground. Nordic’s trucks dump theircontents twice daily, challenging the oil’s shear stabilityon a regular basis.Navistar DT466Nordic Waste was chosen to participate in this studynot only because refuse haulers in general provide asevere operating environment for oil, but also becauseof the particular engine in the company’s 2006International 7400 rear-loading truck. Notoriously hardon oil, the Navistar DT466 diesel engine is a 7.6L inlinesix-cylinder designed specifically for use in large, commercialInternational trucks. Nordic Waste initiallyinstalled Shell Rotella T 15W-40 (239 hours), and theoil was monitored through oil analysis for the durationof the drain interval. For the subsequent drain interval,Nordic installed AMSOIL Synthetic 15W-40 Heavy DutyDiesel and Marine Oil and monitored the oil’s performancevia oil analysis. Both oils’ shear strength andTBN retention ability were examined using ASTM test-ing procedures. The subject truck maintained its usualoperating procedure throughout the test period, andthe same driver operated the truck on the same routethe entire time. AMSOIL used the oil analysis resultsfrom the initial drain interval, the subsequent draininterval and a thorough teardown and inspection by anindependent, certified International mechanic to evaluatethe performance of AMSOIL Synthetic 15W-40Diesel and Marine Oil.HEUIThe Navistar DT466 engine employs a hydraulicallyactuated,electronically-controlled unit injector (HEUI)system that uses engine oil pressure to run the fuel injectors.The HEUI system was designed to produce lowercombustion noise and reduce hydrocarbon and nitrousoxide levels during combustion, offering quieter, cleanerdiesel engine operation. HEUI systems feature a variablepump (in addition to the oil pump) that pressurizesthe oil according to the fuel injection system’s needs,placing a considerable amount of additional strain onengine oil. HEUI systems can raise oil pressure to ashigh as 3,500 psi, creating great potential for shearingand adding significant stress to motor oil that is alreadyoperating in a severe environment. The HEUI system’sreputation for shearing less robust motor oils made theDT466 engine the perfect choice for testing the durabilityof AMSOIL Heavy Duty Diesel and Marine Oil.2 FIELD STUDY