Pump lubrication oil issue
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Dear experts: Our factory has a pump used to circulate coolant in the air compressor. The pump was just repaired, and lubricant grade 46 was used. After starting the pump, the oil inside it turned white; we suspected that water had entered the bearing housing. We stopped the pump, and the color of the oil returned to normal. We drained the oil but found no water present. After flushing it three times, we added lubricant grade 46 again. When the pump was started, the oil still turned white. I have no idea what’s causing this issue.
Do you understand how water got in for the first time?
Analyze the oil products, examine each component’s concentration to identify which one is problematic, and then determine the pathways through which that substance has leaked
Is the oil temperature too high, causing poor venting from the pump’s breather valve?
Judging from your situation, it’s most likely a problem with the quality of the lubricant. Which brand is it?
It’s probably not water ingress; it’s the high temperature of the lubricating oil along with many bubbles in it, which makes it appear as though there is water in the oil.
Generally, the mixture turns white due to water entering and causing emulsification. You haven’t noticed any water entering your oil – is it really white? Is it still foam?
Are they bubbles?—That’s the effect achieved when bubbles mix with oil
This post was last edited by Bai Yunfan on 2015-8-19 07:54. Don’t try it; consult the manufacturer and use lubricant from another brand instead. For large mechanical equipment abroad (the ones I’m aware of include MTU, Wartsila, Sulzer, and BHS), these are the recommended brands and models, and it is necessary to use those same brands and models during the warranty period. When I consulted them, their response was that lubricants are very complex mixtures, and it’s not possible to determine their compatibility with equipment simply by relying on a few indicators.
I suspect it’s a problem with the amount of defoamer added to the lubricating oil; I recommend checking relevant documentation and contacting the manufacturer for testing!