What are the detrimental effects of high water presence in lubricating oil?
Water infiltration can happen from different sources like leaking oil coolers, piston/cylinder cooling systems, and also from atmospheric condensation. Presence of water can affect the oil viscosity, leading to possible bearings failure. The oil colour turns grey and it is often necessary to replace the whole oil charge due to the fact that the oil separators are inefficient at separating fine emulsions. The oil separator, adjusted properly and operated with the correct oil inlet temperature as frequently as possible (continuously in the case of large diesel and steam plants), in order to remove or keep water presence to a minimum. Any possible causes for water infiltration should always be traced and rectified as soon as possible.
