tangel
Marine/Ocean
- Jun 29, 2007
- 5
Good morning everyone. A little background information, I am completing a failure investigation on a Caterpillar D398 diesel generator engine which wiped all the main bearings. The engine components show no damage or indication of loss of lubrication except for the main bearings. Two of the seven main bearings spun, the others have extensive visible damage. I have ruled out loss of oil pressure as a cause and am now looking at the possibility of loss of hydrodynamic film due to fuel-oil dilution. My question is is there a linear relationship based upon the viscosities of diesel fuel and the lubricating oil? My thought process is the 160 gallon sump level would have had to increase by a large (noticeable on dipstick) amount if enough fuel to thin the lubrication oil had entered the sump. The results of the spectrographic analysis of the oil will be a few more weeks, and am trying to find a "smoking gun". Thanks in advance for all comments/suggestions.