Bearing Wear Analysis Page 1 of 2

BEARING FAILURE ANALYSIS

Normal wear exhibits Bearing surfaces which Particles, sandwiched "Oil Starvation" can Water and/or
"Smooth" finish. reveal scratches or between bearing and be attribued to a antifreeze in the
Accelerated wear may "Trenches" are typical of bore, can create number of causes. engine oil create
be caused by fine particle wear. The oil distortion and a "Hot Wiping, Blue milky, grey edging
abrasives left in from filter element should Spot". Particle may be Discoloration and and possible black
extended oil change reveal the culprit. embedded and visible. "Adhesion" wear to corrosion on the
intervals not monitored (see arrow) shaft or pin are lining. Pitting and
by analysis. common indicators. Flaking are
progressive damage.

Worn, Pitted surfaces "Shiny" indicators on the This is "Cavitation Cavitation Erosion Lack of lubrication
with dark green back of the bearing insert Erosion", on the (round flaked portion) can be attributed to
coloration, indicate are signs of movement. unloaded half of insert. caused by entrained engine oil dilution,
fuel dilution of lube Bore Geometry and "Entrained" air bubbles air bubbles, along breakdown or
oil. This corrosive surface dimension must in oil may cause with embedded hard elevataed
action may also pit be checked. additional lubrication debris, can require a temperature. Causes
crankshaft. problems. close examination for must be investigated,
failure analysis. too prevent further
occurences.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/bearingwear/bearingwearanalysis.htm 3/2/2012
Bearing Wear Analysis Page 2 of 2

"Cold Start" can "One Sided" wear is Localized, Localized wear on Bearings improperly
destroy bearing usually a misaligned or symmetrical wear opposite sides of a "Located" during
surfaces and lead to improperly adjusted about a journal's axis is pair's shell halves is installation can
progressive failure. assembly. Damage to due to deviations in the normally caused by a sometimes be hard to
"Cold Start" failure is adjacent bearings may journal's geometry. bent connecting rod. spot.
caused by lack of occur.
lubrication and running
up to full RMP before
the engine is warm.

"Offside" wear is Localized wear on main This indicator may be Loccalized, polished Excessive "End
usually an indication of bearings showing a evidence of "loose" or areas are on steel Play" can rapidly
misaligned crankshaft pattern along the shaft, "tight" fit. This bearing back (fretting); wear thrust washers.
or bore. This may not for example, worst wear experienced excessive caused by improper This can be caused by
apply to "Offside" on the middle bearings, is "crush", causing crush or movement of "abrupt" engagement
connecting rods. evidence of a bent deformation in this insert within its or "riding the clutch".
crankshaft. area. respective bore. This
may cause damage to
housing and/or shaft.
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