Shell Lubricants has revamped its Shell LubeAnalyst oil analysis program


The upgraded Shell LubeAnalyst program provides an online user interface that offers a worldwide sample history and failure trends on various types of equipment and engine types. The program offers a scientific approach to preventive maintenance.

A regular oil analysis program helps customers build a historic database, allowing them to watch for trends in a variety of areas. The Shell LubeAnalyst program offers easy-to-use software that allows customers to view and track test results and view offline management information.

"Analyzing used engine oil after every oil change provides an early warning system that may ultimately help lower customers' total cost of operations," said Walt Silviera, North American Technical Manager, Shell Lubricants. "By leveraging the results of the Shell LubeAnalyst™ program, customers can identify equipment problems before major downtime or expensive maintenance is required."

Used-oil samples provided through the Shell LubeAnalyst program can reveal whether contaminants such as water, coolant, fuel or dirt are getting into the oil, indicating head-gasket leaks, leaking fuel injectors, or other problems. Spectrochemical analysis detects the presence of wear metals in the oil-and unusually high amounts of wear metals could be a sign of abnormal wear. The analysis also measures the oil's viscosity, base number (reserve alkalinity), and fuel-soot level.

The knowledge gained from the Shell LubeAnalyst program results can help optimize oil drain intervals, increase equipment reliability, minimize unscheduled downtime, and more precisely track operating efficiency and maintenance practices.