SwRI: Gasoline Two-Stroke Cycle Lubricants

	A 23,000-gallon test tank and a Universal Data Acquisition and control system console developed and built by SwRI are used to examine lubricant-related issues in two- and four-stroke outboard engines.

Concern about energy conservation and environmental pollution has led to leaner oil-to-fuel ratios, which, in turn, have affected lubricant requirements. Exhaust emissions reduction could contribute to a two-stroke cycle engine's viability in the future.

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) evaluates lubricants used in two-stroke cycle, air-cooled engines using the ASTM-TC and JASO test sequences. These sequences evaluate the lubricant's ability to:

• Resist combustion chamber deposit-induced pre-ignition

• Prevent ring sticking

• Inhibit deposit formation

• Reduce scuffing

• Resist spark plug fouling

SwRI offers all engine and chemical tests required to evaluate lubricants for two-stroke, water-cooled engines, including the National Marine Manufacturers Association TC-W3™ specification tests. SwRI also conducts recently adopted worldwide International Standards Organization test procedures to evaluate lubricants for:

• Exhaust smoke

• Exhaust system deposits

• Lubricity

• Piston cleanliness

For more information about gasoline two-stroke cycle lubricant evaluation capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Craig Wileman at cwileman@swri.org or (210) 522-3193.