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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  image of apparatus that runs the Volkswagen DI diesel piston cleanliness and ring sticking test at SwRI
 

View of the apparatus that runs the Volkswagen DI diesel piston cleanliness and ring sticking evaluations.

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

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

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, or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Raham Kirkwood at rkirkwood@swri.org or (210) 522-5905.

 

dipistoncl.swri.org

 

Contact Information

Raham Kirkwood

VW Turbocharged DI Diesel Piston Cleanliness and Ring Sticking Evaluation

(210) 522-5905

rkirkwood@swri.org

dipistoncl.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

 

| Engine Lubricants Research Department | Fuels and Lubricants Research Division | SwRI Home |

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.

June 16, 2011