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Mercedes-Benz M111 Black Sludge Evaluation (CEC L-53-T-95)

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	The CEC L-53-T-95 evaluation at SwRI simulates typical European service in urban, rural, and autobahn driving applications.

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) offers the Mercedes-Benz M111 black sludge test, CEC L-53-T-95, which evaluates the ability of an automotive crankcase lubricant to inhibit the deposition of sludge and prevent wear in gasoline engines when operated with a fuel that is prone to generate such problems.

ACEA 2004 Specifications

The black sludge evaluation procedure is part of ACEA 2004 Specifications:

Gasoline and Diesel Engines	Gasoline and Diesel Engines with Aftertreatment Devices
A1/B1-04 A3/B3-04 A3/B4-04 A5/B5-04	C1-04 C2-04 C3-04

Field Service Simulated

The CEC L-53-T-95 evaluation simulates typical European service in urban, rural, and autobahn driving applications.

CEC L-53-T-95 Test Fixture

An engine dynamometer test stand with a 2.0-liter Mercedes-Benz M111 E20 gasoline engine, 4-cylinder, sliding follower, overhead camshaft, port fuel-injected, water-cooled rocker cover is used for this test.

CEC L-53-T-95 Test Parameters

The 257-hour test includes 4 different phases, each with different operating cycles, and an oil charge of 4,350 g.

Test Parameters	Test Phases
Test Parameters	1	2	3	4
Test Hours	0–48	48–49	49–124	124–257
Description	Cold Section	Engine Quality Section	Full-Load Section	Alternating Section
Test Cycle	14-Step, 6-Hour Cycle, Repeated 8 Times	10-Step, 1-Hour Section	2-Step, 5-Minute Cycle, Repeated 900 Times	10-Step, 1-Hour Cycle, Repeated 133 Times
Engine Speeds (rpm)	0–1,950 Varying Loads	1,5000–6,000 Full Throttle	3,750 and 3,850 Full Throttle	0–5,500 Varying Loads

CEC L-53-T-95 Test Parts Evaluations

Test parts evaluations include inspection of sludge deposits on cylinder head, cylinder head front cover, oil sump, timing cover and rocker cover; evaluation of pistons for cleanliness and ring sticking; measurement of cam lobe, follower, and piston ring wear.

Used Engine Lubricant Analysis

Kinematic viscosity at 40 and 100°C
Total base number
Total solids

Fuel dilution
Sulphated ash
Wear metals

Pass/Fail Criteria

Gasoline and Diesel Engines
Property	Limits (merit)
Property	A1/B2-04	A3/B3-04	A3/B4-04	A4/B5-05
Engine Sludge (average)	≥RL 140	≥RL 140	≥RL 140	≥RL 140

Gasoline and Diesel Engine with Aftertreatment Devices
Property	Limits (merit)
	C1-04	C2-04	C3-04
Engine Sludge (average)	≥RL 140	≥RL 140	≥RL 140


PASS	FAIL

For more information about Mercedes-Benz M111 black sludge evaluation capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Raham Kirkwood at rkirkwood@swri.org or (210) 522-5905.

*Association des Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles/European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

Contact Information

Raham Kirkwood

Mercedes-Benz M111
Black Sludge Evaluation
(CEC L-53-T-95)

(210) 522-5905

rkirkwood@swri.org

Related Terminology

CEC L-53-T-95

M111 E20 gasoline engine

Mercedes-Benz M111 test procedure

black sludge testing

automotive crankcase lubricant effects on deposition of sludge

gasoline engine wear prevention

ACEA 2004 specifications

standardized lubricant testing

Mercedes M111

automotive crankcase lubricants

Association des Constructeurs Européens d'Automobiles

European Automobile Manufacturers Association

Related Information

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

September 30, 2008

International Lubricant Evaluation ACEA* Engine Evaluation Mercedes-Benz M111 Black Sludge Evaluation (CEC L-53-T-95)