SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE

International Lubricant Evaluation • ***ACEA* Lubricant Evaluation***
Volkswagen Turbocharged DI Diesel Piston Cleanliness
and Ring Sticking Evaluation (CEC L-78-T-99)

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	Apparatus that runs the Volkswagen DI diesel piston cleanliness and ring sticking test at SwRI

Volkswagen TDI diesel piston cleanliness and ring sticking evaluation CEC L-78-T-99 is offered by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to evaluate engine oil performance with regard to piston cleanliness and tendency for piston ring sticking.

ACEA 2008 Specifications

The Volkswagen TDI diesel piston cleanliness and ring sticking evaluation is part of ACEA 2008 Specifications:

Gasoline and Diesel Engines	Gasoline and Diesel Engines with Aftertreatment Devices	Global
A1/B1-08 A3/B3-08 A3/B4-08 A5/B5-08	C1-08 C2-08 C3-08 C4-08	DLD-1 DLD-2 DLD-3

Field Service Simulated

The CEC L-78-T-99 test simulates typical European high-speed operation, followed by idling.

CEC L-78-T-99 Test Fixture

A Volkswagen 1.9-liter, inline, 4-cylinder, turbocharged, direct injection automotive diesel engine (VW TDI) mounted on an engine dynamometer test stand is used for this test.

CEC L-78-T-99 Test Parameters

The 54-hour, 2-phase test cycle alternates between idle (30 minutes with 40°C oil sump) and 4,150 rpm, full power (150 minutes with 145°C oil sump). No oil top-ups are allowed during the test.

CEC L-78-T-99 Test Parts Evaluations

Pistons are rated for carbon, lacquer deposits, and groove carbon filling. Piston rings are evaluated for ring sticking.

Used Engine Oil Analysis

New and used oil samples are tested for kinematic viscosity at 40°C and 100°C and total base number. Oil samples are also tested for iron, chromium, copper, and soot content.

Pass/Fail Criteria

Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines
Properties (unit)	Limits
Properties (unit)	A3/B4-08	A5/B5-08
Avg. Piston Cleanliness, merit	³RL 206 – 3 pts	³RL 206
Ring Sticking (Rings 1 & 2)
Average of all 8 rings, ASF	£1.0	£1.0
Max. for any 1st ring, ASF	£1.0	£1.0
Max. for any 2nd ring, ASF	£0.0	£0.0

Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines
Properties (unit)	Limits
Properties (unit)	C1-08	C2-08	C3-08	C4-08
Avg. Piston Cleanliness, merit	³RL 206 – 3 pts	³RL 206	³RL 206 – 3 pts	³RL 206
	Ring Sticking (Rings 1 & 2)
Average of all 8 rings, ASF	£1.0	£1.2	£1.0	£1.0
Max. for any 1st ring, ASF	£1.0	£2.5	£1.0	£1.0
Max. for any 2nd ring, ASF	£0.0	£0.0	£0.0	£0.0

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

For more information about VW TDI diesel piston cleanliness and ring sticking evaluation capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Raham Kirkwood at rkirkwood@swri.org or (210) 522-5905.

Contact Information

Raham Kirkwood

VW Turbocharged DI Diesel Piston Cleanliness and Ring Sticking Evaluation

(210) 522-5905

rkirkwood@swri.org

Related Terminology

CEC L-78-T-99

Volkswagen turbocharged direct injected diesel engine

VW turbocharged DI diesel test procedure

piston cleanliness and ring sticking testing

engine oil performance

ACEA 2008 specifications

standardized lubricant testing

engine lubricants

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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 12 technical divisions.

November 11, 2009

International Lubricant Evaluation • ACEA* Lubricant Evaluation Volkswagen Turbocharged DI Diesel Piston Cleanliness and Ring Sticking Evaluation (CEC L-78-T-99)