Today’s engines rely heavily on proper lubrication to run at maximum efficiency. Even a properly maintained engine can lose up to 4 HP per year. Of course, some of the loss is due to component wear such as worn cylinder rings. Other losses are due to sludge or varnish build up that degrades performance. Sludge in rings can prevent optimum sealing and lubrication, while sludge in turbos can increase spooling time and reduce turbo life.
Engine oil is continuously exposed to friction and high temperatures that, over time, will cause the oil to oxidize. As the oil begins to oxidize, it will form what is commonly referred to as “stiction.” The word stiction is used to describe the gummy, sticky residue, or caked-on oil varnish that builds-up inside an engine.
Think of stiction like oil in a frying pan: It builds and attaches itself to the hottest internal components of an engine, which means it is not leaving the engine when the oil is being drained. Once a stiction layer forms, engines do not function as efficiently as they are intended to, and heat and friction only increases, causing irreversible damage over time.
The use of an oil additive designed to remove stiction in a fleet’s preventative maintenance program can reduce downtime associated with stiction-related repairs such as injectors, turbos, oil pump bearings and piston rings.
When considering additives, it should clean the oil side of the engine and everything the oil comes in contact. It’s also important to consider third-party validation testing. Hot Shot’s Secret Stiction Eliminator, for example, has been proven in third party ASTM testing to remove 50% more stiction than many of its competitive brands. The company says the recently reformulated stiction eliminator is equally effective in all fleet engines, gas or diesel.
The formula of nano lubricants and synthetic detergents is designed to efficiently clean up carbon deposits and oxidization left behind by overheated oil while improving the lubricating ability of the base motor oil. In further testing, Hot Shot’s Secret’s formula reduces engine wear by up to 62% more than oil alone, and tests prove fuel economy increases up to 3.6% when used for preventative maintenance, the company shared.
A good stiction oil treatment used for preventative maintenance, will provide improved fuel economy, reduce engine wear, result in less black smoke and improve compression.
This article was contributed by Lubrication Specialties Inc.
