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Standard is set for Euro-2 lube

20th February 1997
Page 16
Page 16, 20th February 1997 — Standard is set for Euro-2 lube
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by Charles Young Engine manufacturers and oil companies have finally agreed on a lubricity standard for the new Euro-2 low-sulphur diesel. A figure of 460 microns using the HERR wear scar test was agreed by the Auto-Oil programme in Vienna last week.

This is some way short of the 350-400 microns that the fuel pump manufacturers believe is the best figure to protect a rotary diesel pump, but they believe the oil companies will aim for the lower figures to guarantee they meet the standard.

Bernard Hales, senior development engineer for Lucas Diesel Systems, says: "We were looking at 400 microns as the maximum safe figure, but looking at the results from the refineries, if you ask for 400 most companies will go to 300. The European oil representa tives were coming in at 520 microns (the level at which lubricity additives are usually Fuel pump manufacturers accept standard. not required) but eventually went down to 480 microns. We compromised at 460 microns."

Jon Singer, technical engines and fuels manager for the SMMT, says: "It's not totally satisfactory but it does represent progress. However, I think pump manufacturers will try and lower the level in future."

Reg Smith, BP's product quality manager for supply and distribution, says: "The pump manufacturers would have liked a lower figure but the message to them has been that it's up to you to get your house in order; to improve pump metallurgy so it can cope with this problem.

"I think by and large the problem will fade away in this country," he adds.

Hales points to other possible problems associated with low-sulphur diesel: "Although we are tolerating the standard we are all taking a little bit of a gamble," he says. "Until we've seen the effects after a couple of years we can't be sure there will be no more problems. For instance, the pumps have steel acting on aluminium, whereas the HFRR test uses aluminium on aluminium."

CI See next week's issue for our exclusive fuel survey which includes a test for lubricity.

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Locations: Vienna

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