Coolants, like lubricants, are essential fluids in order to maintain engines and all heat generating mechanical systems in good working order. Glycol is the main ingredient of coolants for diesel, gasoline or gas engines. Antifreeze liquids usually consist of 50/50 glycol with water mixtures.

As mentioned in the June 2011 article, there are four contaminants extremely harmful to oil. Being primary causes of the degradation of motor oils and equipment failures, they must be monitored closely and analyzed on a regular basis.

Water is one of the most destructive contaminants of oil. Water attacks additives, generates oxidation and modifies the vapor pressure of oil; it corrodes metal surfaces, facilitates emulsions, blocks filters and hinders in the formation of the protective film. Water increases dramatically the corrosive potential of acids present in oil. In diesel engines, light contamination is normal, however, critical to certain hydraulic equipment and compressors. Severe contamination deserves close attention and will seldom be suppressed with an oil change.

The Sulfated ash test is meant to measure the purity of the lubricant. Pure basic oils contain no ash. In most cases, oils are very similar: same color, same texture, same odour. With additives however, their performances can be dramatically improved. Many of them promise to prolong your engines’ useful life and improve their operational effectiveness.

Have you ever heard about varnish? Not as famous as wear and corrosion, the two major failure problems of machines and lubricated systems, varnish is considered worse and may occur without knowing the cause.