Diesel Engine Oil		Key Test Parameters
	Fuel	Viscosity cSt at 40°C)	Insolubles (%)	AN (mg.KOH)	BN (mg.KOH)	Water %	Flash Point (°C)
Automotive	Distillate	<+/-15%	2.00	+4 from New Lube	<2	0.30	180°
High Speed	Distillate	<+/-15%	2.00	+4 from New Lube	<2	0.20	180°
Medium Speed	Distillate	<+/-15%	3.00	+4 from New Lube	<3	0.20	180°
Medium Speed	Residual	<+/-15%	3.00	+4 from New Lube	<12	0.20	180°
Slow Speed	Residual	<+/-15%	3.00	+4 from New Lube	<50% of starting value	0.20	180°
Gear Oils
	Oil Condition	Viscosity cSt at 40°C)	Insolubles (%)	AN (mg.KOH)	BN (mg.KOH)	Water %	Flash Point (°C)
	Satisfactory	<+/-15%	<0.5	4.0 beyond New Lube Ref.	n/a	0.05-0.15	n/a
	Exceeds Limit	>+/-20% nom	>0.9	5.0 beyond New Lube Ref.	n/a	>0/20	n/a
Comment	Viscosity increase is more common than decrease. It should be noted and checked at more frequent intervals. Check that the correct grade of oil is used for top-up. Upper water limit should be checked against manufacturers data. Some oils cannot tolerate water - BEWARE. Synthetic oils can be less tolerant than most. AN should always be monitored by trend as the AN on some oils can call from new then rise again as the oil ages.
Hydraulic Oil
	Oil Condition	Viscosity cSt at 40°C)	Insolubles (%)	AN (mg.KOH)	BN (mg.KOH)	Water %	Flash Point (°C)
	Satisfactory		0.01-0.2	Determine Baseline	n/a	0.05-0.15	n/a
	Exceeds Limit	<+/-10% nominal	>0.4	>0.9 beyond New Lube Ref.	n/a	>0/20	n/a
Comment	Viscosity increase is more common than decrease. Check that the correct grade of top up is used. Upper water limit should be checked against manufacturers data. Some systems/oils are very intolerant of water. Beware! - data not applicable to fire retardant fluids. AN should always be monitored by trend as the AN of some oils call from new then rise again as the oil ages. Hydraulic systems can be extremely sensitive to dirt. Cleanliness and hygeine are paramount.
Gas Engines
	Oil Condition	Viscosity cSt at 40°C)	Insolubles (%)	AN (mg.KOH)	BN (mg.KOH)	Water %	Flash Point (°C)
Medium Speed		>25%	2.50	>3 from New Lube	2.5 Decrease from new (4-stroke)
Natural Gas 100°	Exceeds Limit	>25%	1.00	>2 from New Lube	2.5 Decrease from new (4-stroke)	0.20	180°
Lean Burn 40°	Exceeds Limit	>25%	1.00	>2 from New Lube	2.5 Decrease from new (4-stroke)	0.20	180°
Comment	Number in title denotes viscosity test temperature.
Compressors
	Oil Condition	Viscosity cSt at 40°C)	Insolubles (%)	AN (mg.KOH)	BN (mg.KOH)	Water %	Flash Point (°C)
	Satisfactory	<+/- 15%	<0.5	Within 2 of New Lube	n/a	0.05-0.10
	Exceeds Limit	>20% nom	>0.7	>2 of New Lube	n/a	>0.10
Comment	A viscosity increase is more common than decrease. It should be noted and checked at more frequent intervals. Check that the correct grade of oil is used for top-up. Water can enter the oil via the compressor cylinders; always check that inter-cooler drains are operated effectively. Refridgeration oils cannot tolerate water at all. Insolubles are formed by carbon from oxidised oil, high insolubles will rapidly foul air delivery valves. AN should always be monitored by trend as the AN of some oils can fall from new then rise again as the oil ages.
Turbine Oil
	Oil Condition	Viscosity cSt at 40°C)	Insolubles (%)	AN (mg.KOH)	BN (mg.KOH)	Water %	Flash Point (°C)
	Satisfactory	<+/- 10% nominal		Determine Baseline	n/a	0.15	n/a
	Exceeds Limit	±15% change	>	Increase of 0.6 from nominal	n/a	>0.20	n/a
Comment	Viscosity increase more common than decrease. Check grade of top up oil. Many steam turbine oils are tolerant of water by design. AN should always be monitored by trend as the AN of some oils can fall from new then rise again as the oil ages.

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