We are experiencing plugging of our "Lube Blocks" which is the automatic distribution system for the way oil. We are using Citgo Sliderite 68 Way oil and have periodic problems with machines that fault out because of now lube. Root cause seems to always point to a varnish build up on the sliders in the lube block. The varnish prevents the slider from moving. What could possibly be causing this condition. I have had Citgo in to look at the problem and they have been unable to determine the cause. I believe there is separation of the tackifier in the way oil and have been trying to replace the Citgo Way oil with Safety Kleen 68 Way oil to see if I still have the problem.
Has anyone run into similar problems? Any ideas? What simple test can I perform on site to determine whether my assumptions on the tackifier is correct? Can I compare the Citgo to the Safety Kleen with an easy test?

CWN
It has been my experience that the tacky oil additive will seperate from any oil but some have better bonding than others. I found that using a spindle oil to free up the blocks using a high pressure portable pump like a graco fireball and then repurge the system with lube oil works good. This idea won the AFE Fame runner up a few years back.

I can't say I have run into that problem before. What is your feed/application rate for the fluid? Is it exposed to high heat? Is it possible contaminates like water (from water based cutting fluids) are getting into the oil?

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Thornton:
CWN
It has been my experience that the tacky oil additive will seperate from any oil but some have better bonding than others. I found that using a spindle oil to free up the blocks using a high pressure portable pump like a graco fireball and then repurge the system with lube oil works good. This idea won the AFE Fame runner up a few years back.

We are actually doing this but, with ATF. I am trying to get them to start using spindle oil but, I have no evidence that ATF is the "wrong" product to free the slider. Which is better ATF or Spindle oil and Why?

quote:

Originally posted by micbial:
I can't say I have run into that problem before. What is your feed/application rate for the fluid? Is it exposed to high heat? Is it possible contaminates like water (from water based cutting fluids) are getting into the oil?

I am unsure of the feed/application rate. I have checked into heat. I have seen temps about 100 F. Water and cutting fluid contaminants are unlikely because it is a once through/total loss system.

Michael
There normally isn't a "flow" on this type of system. It pumps until some control block makes one complete cycle, other blocks my not make a cycle or multiple cycles. In the early 80's one major company tried to cut corners without telling anyone and their oil really seperated. This ended with a lot of law suits but I don't know how any of them came out.

cwn - The problem with ATF is it is too thin and you need to worry about heating up the blocks. I thought I would really do a good job and used Kroil oil once and had to replace almost every block in the system. Also most ATF is colored which just makes the machine ugly when your done.

My biggest problem was with the safety department. In a dry place using all the oil needed was okay but if there is coolant then they don't like the oil mixed with it. Some places I used a test stand to clean each block stack to avoid putting extra oil in the cutting fluid.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Thornton:
cwm - The problem with ATF is it is too thin and you need to worry about heating up the blocks. I thought I would really do a good job and used Kroil oil once and had to replace almost every block in the system. Also most ATF is colored which just makes the machine ugly when your done.

The maintenance crew simply pumps against the block to free it up. They claim that the ATF cleans the block in the process. They only use about a gallon at the most and then they purge the line again with the way oil. My problem is in convincing them that ATF should not be used. They have been doing it this way for years and I have no concrete evidence that this will cause or has caused a problem for them. Other than heating up the block, which probably isn't a problem, and ugly machines, also not a problem, what can the ATF in this situation potentially harm?
As with all situations like this, to begin a practice like this, all it takes is a suggestion from someone and a process is established but, in order to reverse the practice, i cannot just make a suggestion and it happens. I have to prove beyond a doubt that what they are currently doing is wrong. Eventhough it took no investigation to implement the process, I have to do the investigation to stop the process.

The simple answer is that ATF is not Way Lube and is of the wrong viscosity. Besides that the ATF is probably more expensive than the correct Way Lube.

Your temperature is low and it doesn't sound like you are having contamination problems so I would suggest trying another oil. You might find that the one you switched to solves your problems.

My answer is also that "Your temperature is low and it doesn't sound like you are having contamination problems so I would suggest trying another oil. You might find that the one you switched to solves your problems."