SwRI: Caterpillar 1-K Test Method for lubricant categories API CF-4, API CH-4, API CI-4

  image of apparatus that runs Caterpillar 1-K method, which evaluates the performance of crankcase lubricants
 

The Caterpillar 1-K method evaluates the performance of crankcase lubricants.

The Caterpillar 1-K method evaluates the performance of crankcase lubricants with respect to:

  • Piston deposits

  • Ring sticking

  • Ring wear

  • Cylinder wear

  • Piston scuffing

  • Ring scuffing

  • Liner scuffing

  • Oil consumption

High-speed turbocharged heavy-duty diesel engine service prior to 1989 is simulated. The Caterpillar 1-K method is part of categories:

  • API CF-4

  • API CH-4

  • API CI-4

Caterpillar 1-K Equipment Procedure

The test fixture is a Caterpillar 1Y540, single-cylinder, direct-injection diesel test engine with a four-valve arrangement having a 5.4-inch bore and a 6.5-inch stroke, resulting in a displacement of 148.8 cubic inches.


Compression ratio is 14.5:1. Keystone top ring and rectangular second ring are used.


Caterpillar 1-K Parameters

  • 2,100 rpm

  • 70 bhp

  • 1,800 bmep

  • 7,990 btu/min fuel input

  • 200 °F coolant temperature

  • 225 °F

  • 260 °F inlet air temperature at 71-inch Hg and 125 grains/lb

  • 29:1 air/fuel ratio

  • 252 hours


Caterpillar 1-K Parts

All parts meet Caterpillar's new "3L" quality specifications.

  • Liner (1Y3555G)

  • Piston (1Y0727)

  • Ring set (1Y0728)

Caterpillar 1-K Fuel

Reference fuel with a sulfur specification of 0.38-0.42 mass % and an API gravity specification of 33-35° is used.

 
  image of SwRI's Caterpillar 1-K pass/fail evaluation results
 

SwRI's Caterpillar 1-K pass/fail evaluation results

Caterpillar 1-K Results

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

  • Piston

  • Rings

  • Liner

Lubricant analysis includes:

  • Viscosity

  • Total base number (TBN)

  • Wear metals

  • Check for fuel dilution

Based on reference oil 809, the following acceptance limits apply:

  • No piston distress

  • No ring distress

  • No liner distress

  • No stuck rings

Based on the time period in which a procedure is completed, the appropriate parameter adjustment factor is added to the result.


For one run, the adjusted results are compared to the first limits below. For a 2- or 3-run program, the average of the adjusted results is compared to the appropriate pass limits.

 

CH-4 or CI-4

Requirement

1st Run

2nd Run

3rd Run

Weighted demerits/deposits 1K method (WDN) (demerits)

332

347

353

Top groove (ring groove carbon deposits) fill (TGF) (%)

24

27

29

Top land heavy carbon (carbon deposits on top of piston) (TLHC) (%)

   4

   5

   5

Brake specific oil consumption (BSOC) Avg. g/kW hr

   < 0.5

  < 0.5

   < 0.5

EOTOC g/kw hr

    < 0.27

    < 0.27

    < 0.27
 

CF-4

Requirement*

2nd Run

3rd Run

4th Run

WDK (Demerits)

332

339

342

TGF (%)

24

26

 27

TLHC (%)

   4

   4

  5

BSOC Avg. g/kW hr

    <0.5

    <0.5

   <0.5

EOTOC g/kw hr

 27

 27

27

*Minimum of 2 runs required.


For more information about the Caterpillar 1-K 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.

©1998-2009 Copyright Southwest Research Institute
Printed from:
http://www.swri.org/4org/d08/diesltst/cat1ktst/default.htm?
Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving. The Institute occupies more than 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,300 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.