SwRI: Caterpillar 1-R Test Method for crankcase lubricants for categories ILSAC DHD-1 and API CI-4

  image of the Caterpillar 1-R test method, which evaluates the performance of crankcase lubricants using ferrous pistons
 

The Caterpillar 1-R test method evaluates the performance of crankcase lubricants using ferrous pistons

The Caterpillar 1-R method evaluates the performance of crankcase lubricants using ferrous pistons for:

  • Piston deposits

  • Oil control

  • Scuffing resistance

The Caterpillar 1-R test is part of engine oil specification categories:

  • ILSAC DHD-1

  • API CI-4

High-speed turbocharged heavy-duty diesel engine service is simulated.


Caterpillar 1-R Test Equipment and Procedure

The Caterpillar 1-R test is run in a high-speed, four-stroke cycle Caterpillar 1Y3700, single-cylinder test engine. The 1Y3700 test engine is equipped with the following features:

  • Two-piece articulated piston with steel crown and aluminum skirt

  • Mid-supported low-distortion cylinder liner

  • Gear-driven overhead cam

  • High-pressure, electronically controlled fuel injection system

  • High-temperature oil system

Caterpillar 1-R test parameters include:

  • 504 hours

  • 1,800 rpm

  • 68 kW

  • 240 g/min fuel rate

  • 120°C oil temperature

  • 105°C coolant temperature

  • 60°C air temperature at 292 kPa

  • 17.8 g/kg water vapor

  • 6° before top center (BTC) fuel timing

Reference fuel with a sulfur specification of 0.03-0.05 mass percent and an API gravity specification of 32-36° is used for this test.

 

Mild
 
 
 

Severe
 


Test Results

At the end of the test, the following are evaluated:

  • Piston

  • Rings

  • Liner

The piston is rated by the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) demerit procedure.


Lubricant analysis includes:

  • Viscosity

  • Total base number (TBN)

  • Total acid number (TAN)

  • Wear metals

  • Fuel dilution

For DHD-1 and API CI-4, the following are not allowed:

  • Piston distress

  • Ring distress

  • Liner distress

  • Stuck rings

ILSAC DHD-1

Requirement

1st Test

2nd Test

3rd Test

Weighted demerits/deposits 1-R method (WDR) (demerits)

397

416

440

Top groove carbon (TGC) (%)

 40

 42

  44

Top land carbon (TLC) (%)

 37

 42

  46

Average oil consumption (OC) g/h

    13.1

    13.1

    13.1

End of test oil consumption (EOTOC), g/h

1.5 × initial

1.5 × initial

1.5 × initial

 

API CI-4

Requirement

1st Test

2nd Test

3rd Test

Weighted demerits/deposits 1-R method (WDR) (demerits)

382

396

402

Top groove carbon (TGC) (%)

 52

 57

  59

Top land carbon (TLC) (%)

 31

 35

  37

Average oil consumption (OC) g/h

    13.1

    13.1

    13.1

End of test oil consumption (EOTOC), g/h

IOC* + 1.8 max

IOC + 1.8 max

IOC + 1.8 max

*Initial Oil Consumption
 

For more information about the Caterpillar 1-R test capabilities at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Jim McCord at jmccord@swri.org or (210) 522-3439.

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