WHAT CAUSES AND WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF DIRTY OIL?
A. Dirty oil is created by the generation of solid and liquid contaminants through the combustion process, oxidation, and outside contaminants entering the engine. The combustion process will create water, carbon particles and sulfur oxides, which combined with the ingress of dirt, dust, acid and foreign matter enters the lube system through blow-by forming sludge, varnish and acids, thereby adversely affecting the viscosity and lubricating properties of the oil. It has been proven that filtering down to 5 microns does not significantly reduce engine wear; whereas, filtering down to the less then 1-micron level does significantly reduce engine wear. All petroleum products have a natural sulfur content. In the combustion process, the sulfur becomes sulfur dioxide, which enters the lube system through blow-by, and when mixed with water produces sulfuric acid. Sulfur dioxide also contaminates the oil from the fuel not consumed during the combustion process through blow-by past the piston
