Oil Systems
Oil – Selecting the Right Viscosity
The most important aspect of using the right oil for your machinery is to select the correct oil viscosity. The instructions for selecting the right oil for your machinery and equipment are detailed in your manufacturer’s handbook/manual. If this is not available then use the Specification Charts below to select the correct oil viscosity:
• American Petroleum Institute (API) Specifications
• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Charts
If in doubt then please contact FluidMasters on 1300 302 949 and we will assist you to choose the right oil for your equipment.
Our Oil System maintenance products include:-
• 8-30 Multifunctional Oil Supplement –
Maximises performance life of older petrol and diesel engines (Pre CJ4 oils), gear trains, gear boxes, final drive engine oils, differentials, reduces wear and corrosion, neutralises acids, prevents oxidation of oil, extends oil drain periods. NOTE: To be used in conjunction with engine oils before CJ4 standard ONLY.
• Oil Flushing Concentrate –
Specially formulated blend of penetrants, lubricants and sludge dispersants designed for use in all petrol and diesel engines, gear trains, gear boxes, final drive differentials.
In addition we recommend and sell:
• CONOCO Oils and Lubricants/Protech Oils and Lubricants –
The best oils and lubricants means the best possible protection for your equipment.
Oil Analysis
It is imperative to understand what is happening inside your engines, gearboxes, final drives, differentials etc. Simply changing your equipment’s oil is a hit and miss approach and may not give you the best outcome. Regular laboratory testing and monitoring of the oil will indicate whether to reduce, extend, or maintain your current oil drain intervals. The FluidMasters’ Oil Analysis service takes the guess-work out of good machinery fluid maintenance by establishing quickly and reliably whether an oil is suitable for further use or if it needs to be changed. The oil analysis can detect abnormal conditions and predict potential failures long before they have a chance to cause serious and expensive damage.
Oil analysis is seen as a quick and easy way to determine the efficiency of your lube oil as well as the components condition. It is able to be taken on farm, even while seeding or harvesting by carrying a test kit in the cab of the machine.
The analysis is carried out by totally independent third party laboratories and FluidMasters will follow up on your OA with free advice either by phone, fax or email, ensuring you are never left to determine the analysis report yourself.
This service includes the analysis and testing of liquid lubricants and other materials as well as product control and product specification testing. The testing is performed for small and large equipment operators on either a casual or contract basis.
Oil Analysis would detect and identify the metal fragments within the oil alerting the operator to potential equipment failure.
As the bearings wear small metal particles will be evident in the Oil Analysis. As each metal component in an engine is composed of different metals and metal combinations the analysis can identify the components that are wearing before equipment failure saving the operator money and downtime.
Contact 1300 302 949 for assistance with your oil systems.
Fuel Systems
Products & Services – Fuel Systems
Gen XI Fuel Stabiliser and Your Engine
Only distillate fuels that meet required specifications will result in optimum engine performance and durability. All equipment and machinery operators require clean safe fuel if their machinery is to give maximum performance.
Fuel properties and quality have a massive effect on engine operation.
Contamination usually is introduced during fuel handling, that is, transfer from the refinery to its final storage destination could mean many fuel transfers and therefore more chances of contamination.
Fuel quality can significantly affect the performance and maintenance of any diesel or petrol engine. Water can cause excessive sludge and also cause fuel pump damage in those fuel systems which use fuel oil to lubricate the pump.
Salt water is the greatest single source of fouling deposits and corrosion, especially in high temperature areas of marine engines. Salt water can cause fuel injector and piston ring groove deposits and wear in fuel system plunger and barrel assemblies.
Gen XI removes water from fuel, fuel tanks, fuel lines and retards fungal growth. The presence of water from condensation, seal leakage, etc can accelerate the degradation of the fuel, especially if high sulphur levels are present. In diesel, water allows microbe growth (eg: Hormoconis resinae and Cladisporium resinae). These “diesel bugs” feed on the fuel and propagate in the water and this causes fuel degradation and filter/injector blockages.
Gen XI actually rids the system of water by encapsulating the water which in turn is concentrated into tiny microscopic droplets through the special chemicals in Gen XI. These droplets are then held in suspension within the fuel, carried through the engines filter system and fuel pump where it is exhausted to the atmosphere as oxygen and hydrogen gasses. As well, any sulphur products are also encapsulated thus preventing sulphurous acid damage to engine component parts. By neutralising the sulphur content of fuel, Gen XI Fuel Stabiliser will overcome fuel problems and achieve better burn, total combustion, less emissions and greater performance.
The product also contains detergent dispersant factors to not only clean but completely disperse with an arrangement of fluid suspension factors.
Fuel containing Gen XI Fuel Stabiliser will remain high quality, correct viscosity, sulphur controlled and safe storage for long periods. FluidMasters have facilities such as banks and Hospitals with distillate in their emergency generators that have been in these units for over 20 years. This also gives the operator a chance to store fuel for long periods and therefore “hedge” against rising fuel costs. For long storage of fuel, we recommend that the Gen XI product be used at a mix rate of 30% more than recommended for normal use.Gen XI Fuel Stabiliser produces outstanding results. There is no equal product.
Microlube Filters
Pristine fuel is imperative for the well-being of your machinery. Western Australian-made Microlube fuel filters offer 100% efficiency at 1-micron rating. That’s as close to perfect as you are going to get. Bowser or fuel-tank fitting is normal with flow rates of 100 or 150 litres per minute being standard. Containing a washable filter, they are extremely efficient and cost-effective.
Microlube Filters (distributed by FluidMasters) are a range of cost-effective, low-micron filters for the optimum removal of suspended particles and general contaminates in industrial fluids and fuel. When used as a primary filter on a diesel installation it ensures optimum fuel condition and frequently eliminates costly secondary filter blockage.
Microlube’s innovative fuel filtration systems are finding increasing acceptance amongst mining and earthmoving contractors, transport & oilfield operators, farmers and marine equipment owners.
Prevent damage to fuel pumps and injectors from small particles
Microlube has built a range of quality filter-systems which are designed to remove fungal debris, suspended particles, drop-out in diesel fuels and other particles such as sand, dust, sludge and excess water. The filters remove contaminants as small as one micron, using polyester needle-felt filter socks. Polyester needle felt is the most common material used for these bags and is available in micron ratings of 1, 5, 100 and 150.
Filtered contaminants are contained in the filter sock and eliminate the chance of contamination, common with cartridge-type filters, which leave contaminants in the filter housing.
How to select a Microlube filter
- Select the unit size based on the flow rate adjusted for the viscosity of the fluid to be filtered.
- Select the micron rating of the bag to be fitted.
- Select Port Position
- Select the model # – eg filter 100L/min of diesel down to 1 micron with standard port, select model MFH 100
When Microlube filters are used in conjunction with Gen XI Fuel Stabiliser you have an end to end fuel maintenance system.
Contact FluidMasters on 1300 302 949 to discuss your fuel system needs.
STATIC ELECTRICITY PRECAUTIONS
Caution Please read the following prior to installation.
Static electrical charges are produced when flammable liquids are moved through a pipeline or hose, during splash filling of a container and decanting. These charges are capable of ignition a mixture of flammable vapours and air.
While it can not be prevented, static electricity can be controlled by EARTHING the filter housing by providing a path to earth. Static electrical charges do not usually accumulate to significant levels when filling containers with a capacity of 20 litres or less; the risk increases when filling larger containers/vessels.
The Microlube Filter Housing should be placed in a manner that allows direct contact with the ground via an earth wire thus allowing any static electrical charge to dissipate safely during filtering.
All associated pumps; pipe and hose should also be earthed in a wire loop and grounded.
Diesel, although less easily ignited than petrol, has a greater tendency to generate static charge.
Microlube Filter
Following are instructions for the use and safe operation of the Microlube Housing
Most housings are supplied with filter bag already installed however details are given below for safe bag installation.
- Remove the four lid bolts and insert a filter bag
Remove tag from inside top of filter bag
The bag drops down into the housing and sits inside the basket, you will need to push the ring at the top of the bag down until it seats on the top of the steel basket.
Most models are now fitted with a bag retainer which sits on top of the bag and is held in place when the lid is closed. - Place the o-ring in the recess on the flange at the top of the housing before the lid is fitted.
- Place the lid back onto the housing and bolt it down evenly and firmly.
- Ensure drain cock on bottom is closed
- Check over vessel for any leaks
Cooling Systems
Products & Services – Cooling Systems
The cooling system of any vehicle is by far the most important component of the entire machine. It is a fact that between 60 and 80% of engine and transmission failures are caused by cooling system “malfunctions”. This has been an enormous cost to equipment owners and $1.5 billion dollars annually is attributed to this failure across Australia.
This is an enormous amount of money considering the fact that it could be reduced dramatically (probably by 75%) by the installation of the correct cooling system products.
FluidMasters ongoing commitment is to offer the very best cooling system products that can be produced. The products FluidMasters market were developed by the School of Chemical Engineering at the Western Australian Institute of Technology (Curtin University) in the early 1980’s by Dr Richie and his team developed a protectorate as well as a flushing product.
FluidMasters have been marketing these products to their client base since 1982 and in that time the two most common and most destructive problems confronting the operator as far as the cooling system is concerned are “Cavitation Erosion” (Pit holes that drill through the cylinder liners) and “Electrolysis” (the destruction of alloys, i.e. cylinder heads etc).These two major problems have become a thing of the past for our clients with not one instance being recorded in over 26 years.
The design of cooling systems today is as it was in Henry Ford’s time, with very little changes. Water, a radiator and radiator hoses, fan belts, a radiator cap, and a water pump.
In engines today it is essential to protect complicated alloy heads and multi valve systems. An alloy head is subjected to “electrolysis”, the disintegrating of alloy by electrical action of the engine. It is as though the engine is one big “battery”. An alloy head can cost anywhere from $1000.00 to $6000.00.
Scary thought but a reality, and still they go unprotected as owners take the advice of the repairer or the garage owner who sells them the incorrect or inadequate product for their equipment’s cooling systems. Remember, the retailer usually has little knowledge of the products he is selling.
So, why is it that FluidMasters can advise you on the correct products for this protection? Because, we manufacture our products to perform as required by the manufacturer. Sadly though, MANY of the OEM engines cooling system protection just DO NOT WORK, or fail before the stipulated time of protection is reached.
Diesel Engine manufacturers have increased engine operating temperatures to improve engine efficiency. This means proper cooling system maintenance is especially important. Overheating,overcooling, pitting, cavitation, erosion, cracked heads, piston seizures, and plugged radiators are classic cooling system failures.
Proper coolant selection and maintenance of the system is the owner’s choice and the right coolant is vital to successful engine service life. In fact, coolant is just as important as the quality of your fuel or lubricating oil.
FluidMasters provides cooling system preventative maintenance products and services to help you avoid the down-time & costly effects of coolant-related engine / transmission failures.
Our Cooling System maintenance products include:
Cooling System All Seasons Coolant
Cooling System Flush
Cooling System Concentrate
Tech info
Stray Current Corrosion Test Results
Purpose: to evaluate the corrosion effect of minor voltage in cooling fluid under controlled and measurable conditions. A leading brand coolant was chosen for the test as it has a known and proven level of performance without the presence of voltage.
Test method used and modifications made
The test method chosen for evaluation of the effects of stray current corrosion was ASTM D1384-87. This test method is recognized world wide as a basis for evaluating the corrosion potential of a cooling fluid on the six basic metals found within the cooling system. Two tests were run using identical coolant. This fluid was chosen as it is known to perform excellently under this test method. Test setup ONE was in accordance with standard ASTM D1384-87 requirements for testing coolants. Test setup TWO was modified to include voltage leakage commonly found in faulty automotive cooling systems. The test coupons are in two insulated bundles. (Copper, Solder, Brass) and (steel, Cast Iron, Cast Aluminium). Positive voltage was induced on the Solder Coupon and the Cast Iron coupon to ensure both sets received the same voltage flow. All test metal coupons were new and certified to conform with the material specification of ASTM D1384-87. Both tests were run over 336 hours at 900 c with aeration of 100 ml per Minute.
Results and Conclusion
The results were staggering; Test ONE with no voltage present was inline with all previous tests of the brand name coolant (Virtually no metal corrosion weight loss on any coupons). Test TWO with 1 volt present in the coolant suffered massive corrosion and weight loss on Solder, Cast Iron and Aluminium. Both Cast Iron and Cast Aluminuim were the most sensitive to stray current increasing in corrosion rate to a thousand percent over the standard test with no voltage, Aluminium pitted badly, Solder’s corrosion rate increased some 500% when voltage was present. Copper, Brass and Steel showed a minor corrosion rate increase in the presence of voltage but still fell well within the corrosion performance level required by ASTM D1384 We also noted a marked increase in the conductivity of the coolant at the end of the test that was subjected to Voltage, this indicates that the fluid is taking on corrosion by products and further enhancing the effect of voltage corrosion.
Stray current is obviously a major corrosion problem where Cast Iron and Aluminuim are present regardless of coolant type.
Stray current tests
This Test had 1 volt induced into the cooling fluid. Note Severe corrosion and pitting on Aluminium & Cast iron. Bottom set of metal coupons are from Test 1. This test was performed using the same cooling fluid as test 2 minus the voltage. The results were near to perfect with no pitting or corrosion weight loss on any of the 6 metals. The initial results indicate that no matter what cooling fluid is used if voltage is present in the cooling system accelerated corrosion of Solder, Cast iron and Aluminium will occur. Also we noted that any cooling fluid including water will actually increase its conductivity as a result of voltage leak and continue to enhance the Stray Current corrosion loss on all metals. Voltage induced corrosion is a MAJOR PROBLEM and cannot be ignored any longer as it is causing motorists Millions of unnecessary dollars per year.
Can you afford not to use FluidMasters for your cooling system? Contact them now on 1300 302 949.
Manufactured to ISO 9001 Standards for distribution by FluidMasters Pty Ltd