Should filtration remove oil oxidation?

March 29, 2011
Dealing with oil oxidation

Q: We have a few of our CAT ACERT engines that have shown and increase in the oxidation levels. We are using Donaldson filters with Delvac MX oil (CI4 Spec) and have dropped the change interval down to 17000 miles. All other aspects of sample are normal. Should filtration remove this oxidation?

A: Lubrication oil filters do little to limit or cause oil oxidation. Filters generally are designed to control particulate within the lubrication oil.

Here are two very good articles describing cause and effect of oxidation in diesel engines:

Lubrication Oxidation Analysis and Control

Four Lethal Diesel Engine Oil Contaminants

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