Delvac MX TBN?

Mobil Delvac MX 15W-40

SAE Grade 15W-40
Viscosity, ASTM D 445
cSt @ 40ºC 105
cSt @ 100ºC 14.2
Viscosity Index, ASTM D 2270 138
Sulfated Ash, wt%, ASTM D 874 1.1
Total Base # , mg KOH/g, ASTM D 2896 10
Pour Point, ºC, ASTM D 97 -33
Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 240
Density @ 15ºC kg/l, ASTM D 4052 0.88
Off the Australia Mobil Site.

Gurkha,

Deposits is the major concern in diesel engines.
High TBN oils tend to form more deposits in piston grooves,land areas.Over a period of time
these deposits grows,restricts ring movement,
impairs heat transfer,causes bore polishing,
removes cross hatch marks in liners,accelerates
wear under hot conditions.The sulfated ash 1.1
is good for diesel engines.Note that TBN will
not remove hard deposits in engines.

As I said earlier,Group II base oil is essential
as it has fewer impurities and has excellent
oxidation and thermal stabilities.Now in india
sulfur levels in diesel is signifficantly reduced to 0.1 to 0.2%.

Bala.

xrhp6,
Thanks for the promot reply, I dont see a HTHS or TBN number in tose specs unfortunately so would have to wait for reports from end users in Australia.

Bala,
TBN may have its shortcomings but in a normal drain situation, it would be reassuring to see that your oil was still at its best and was protecting your engine till the drain day.

Diesel in India has only improved marginaly with the reformulated additive enhanced super sold in limited pumps can be considered relatively better than what has been offered so far. Sadly few pumps are honest about the diesel, their tanks are in dismal state and I have found huge variations in forumulations from batch to batch. Luckily diesel filter is cheap and I have sedimenters in both my vehicles, if they could only tell the tale of the filth I discard almost every month, it would make a good horror movie.

quote:

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Originally posted by Gurkha:
xrhp6,
Thanks for the prompt reply, I dont see a HTHS but I see the TBN number remains 10 so it is the big heave ho to Delvac MX and hello Delo 400. Mobil is foolish in doing so and will loose out on loayal Delvac followers in this process.

Bala,
TBN may have its shortcomings but in a normal drain situation, it would be reassuring to see that your oil was still at its best and was protecting your engine till the drain day. I would take a UOA TBN number of 7 after 7000km rather than 3.

Diesel in India has only improved marginaly with the reformulated additive enhanced super sold in limited pumps can be considered relatively better than what has been offered so far. Sadly few pumps are honest about the diesel, their tanks are in dismal state and I have found huge variations in forumulations from batch to batch. Luckily diesel filter is cheap and I have sedimenters in both my vehicles, if they could only tell the tale of the filth I discard almost every month, it would make a good horror movie.

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Gurkha

We understand your concern that good TBN plays a vital role in confidence building of the user.

But let me tell you that Oil companies aren't foolish in reducing their detergents and dispersents (TBN) for a higher grade oil like API CI 4 .

Basically the treat rates of the additives have increased in order to provide tough protection under EGR ( Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and turbocharged conditions ,which means better additive technology.

To conclude TBN alone doesn't play a major role in engine protection.

Hope this helps.

Sounds logical but then I dont see Delo 400 reducing their TBN numbers and they have been CI-4 rated for a long time.

Gurkha,

High over-based oils are specially formulated to
counteract the effects of higher fuel sulfur levels used in diesel fuels.It is important to
remember that higher base numbers are provided
by higher levels of metallic detergent additives
when these burn,they form ash,which can deposit
on valve stems,piston grooves and other engine components.Such deposits are detrimental to engine life.Most manufacturers set ash level limits for their engines.

CI4 oils are formulated to meet the requirements
of EGR engines.Remember that increased levels of
dispersant additives may cause seal failures over a period of time.

Bala.

Thanks for the insight on TBN Bala, would you then rate Delo 400 inferior to the Delvac MX due to the Delo having a higher TBN value.

One thing that I am concerned with here is that the TBN rating of the UOA, in this case an oil with higher TBN number will have the stability in long drain, severe conditions.

Gurkha,

To optimize oil change periods,perform oil analysis.Have condition based maintenance strategy.Wear metal analysis is one of the most important aspects of oil analysis.Plot ppm vs
KM,wear rate analysis helps determine optimum
condition to change oil.FTIR provides the most
economical method for routine monitoring of molecular additive depleation,contaminants like
soot,oxidation,nitration,water,glycol,fuel diln.
Lubricant type also has an impact on the measured viscosity.Under high temperature conditions the lubricant hydrocarbon molecules
can be cracked in to lighter compounds,resulting
in a severe decrease in viscosity,possible damage to engine components.Overstressing can
break the polymers(VI improver)and result in a
considerable decrease in viscosity.If unnoticed
the loss in lubrication efficiency will result
in increased wear.

Do oil analysis,protect your investment.

Good Luck

Bala.