Specifications

08 Lubricants
For applications involving low runtimes, the engine oil must be changed every two years
at the latest irrespective of its category.
Where engine oils with higher-grade corrosion-inhibiting characteristics are in use ( → Page 37),
a change must be carried out every 3 years at the latest.
In individual cases the service life of the engine oil can be optimized by regular laboratory analysis and
appropriate engine inspections in consultation with the MTU service point responsible:
The first oil sample should be taken from the engine as a “basic sample” after the engine has
run for approximately 1 hour after being filled with fresh oil.
Further oil samples should be analyzed after engine runtimes which are to be specified. (→ Page 08)
The appropriate engine inspections are to be carried out before and after the oil analyses.
After completion of all analyses, and depending on the findings, special agreements
can be reached for individual cases.
Oil samples must always be taken under the same conditions and at the point provided
for that purpose (see Operating Instructions).
Oil drain intervals for gas engines in Series 4000 L61/L62
Engine oil drain intervals depend on the engine-oil quality, its conditioning, the operating conditions and the fuel used.
Regular oil analyses are necessary because of the varying gas qualities. At the beginning of the product’s
life cycle, oil samples must be taken and analyzed after every 500 hours of operation.
Given consistent gas quality, an oil drain interval of max. 1,500 hours of operation is recommended.
In individual cases, the oil change intervals can be optimized:
For this purpose, oil samples are analyzed after every 200 – 250 hours of operation (→ Page 08).
The oil samples must always be taken from the extraction point provided and under the same conditions.
Special Additives
Engine oils approved have been specially developed for diesel engines and have all necessary properties.
Further additives are therefore superfluous and may even be harmful.
Laboratory Analysis
General information
Orders for engine oil analyses can be placed with MTU.
The oil sample must be taken in accordance with the Operating Instructions.
The following data is required:
• Oil manufacturer
• Brand name with viscosity class
• Oilservicelifetodate
• Serial number of engine from which oil sample was taken
The following must be submitted (for each oil change):
• Min. 0.25 liters used oil
• Min. 0.25 liters reference sample (after approx. 1 hour’s operation)
• Min. 0.25 liters new oil
Spectrometric Oil Analysis
Analysis of the engine oil’s additive-metal content is carried out by the MTU laboratory to determine the brand of oil.
MTU does not generally analyze the oil’s wear-metal contents in order to determine the degree of engine wear.
These content levels are very much dependent on the following factors, among others:
• Individual engine equipment status
• Tolerance scatter
• Operating conditions
•Dutyprofile
• Fluids and lubricants
• Miscellaneous assembly materials
Unambiguous conclusions as to the wear status of the engine components involved are therefore not
possible. This means that no limit values can be given for wear-metal contents.
Used-oil Analysis
In order to check the used oil, it is recommended that regular oil analyses be carried out. Oil samples should be
taken and analyzed at least once per year and during each oil change and under certain conditions, depending on
application and the engine’s operating conditions, sampling / analysis should take place more frequently.
A001061/33E 08-01 ©MTU
TIM ID: 0000010135 – 006