TECHNICAL NOTE

Standard 23920 Date 10-2011 EN B0249/3

Document reserved exclusively for the RENAULT TRUCKS network.
It must not be communicated to third parties without written authorization from RENAULT TRUCKS.

Supersedes & replaces ALL RANGES

B0249/2 dated 06/2009
ENGINE
Modifications to the
previous versions are
highlighted by two Concerns: Workshop – Reception – Stores
vertical lines

I – I – SUBJECT: ABNORMAL CONSUMPTION OF ENGINE OIL

The main task of engine oil is to form an oil film between moving parts, so as to prevent wear by
reducing friction. It also helps dissipate heat and eliminate combustion particles.

Operation of the engine leads to consumption of oil, but over-consumption indicates a change in engine
behaviour which must be analysed.

A customer complaint about abnormal oil consumption must be investigated (adding oil does not
necessarily constitute abnormal consumption).

This Technical Note presents the tests to be performed and a reliable method for measuring oil
consumption.

II – PRELIMINARY REMARKS
Numerous parameters can have an influence on a vehicle’s oil consumption:

II – 1. Engine running in
Before deciding that the oil consumption is abnormal, it is necessary to wait for at least:

– 20,000 km for vehicles frequently stationary (domestic refuse collectors etc.)

– 50,000 km, depending on use, for Heavy/Medium Duty Vehicles HD/MD (Magnum, Premium,
Kerax, Midlum…),

– 5,000 km for Light Duty Vehicles (LD) (Maxity, Mascott, Master, Trafic…).

© RENAULT TRUCKS 1/4 Direction Customer Technical Support B0249/3

 II – 2. Oil grade and maintenance
The cleanliness of the oil is a determining factor. The recommendations specified by the manufacturer
concerning oil change intervals, the quantity and grade of the oil to be used depending on the use of
the vehicle are all factors which, if they are not respected, can lead to abnormal wear of the engine
and therefore a high consumption of oil.

II – 3. Type of use of the vehicle

Specific applications can lead to high oil consumption values "per 1000 km"
Examples: vehicles which use their engine to drive auxiliaries when stationary (cement mixers,
tankers, domestic refuse collectors, gully emptiers, cherry pickers)

The use of the vehicle can thus be expressed in the form of an average speed per hour (the lower the
speed, the higher the oil consumption may be).

III – INITIAL TESTS

These tests should be performed before starting to measure consumption using the weighing
method (§ IV). Show the results on form F0002.

POINTS TO BE EXAMINED CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN

Engine oil grade
Conformity of oil levels on mechanical gauge.
Conformity of gauge calibration
Meticulous inspection for leaks
Check for oil in the exhaust pipes
Intensive use of the air compressor (abnormal
presence of oil in the air circuit dryer)
Large amount of oil between the turbocharger
outlet and the boost air cooler
Check the function and setting of the automatic
oil top-up system (for vehicles fitted with this)
Check the condition of the filtered air intake
circuit:
– Cleanliness of filter element
– Air filter/ turbo connecting duct (leak
tightness, porosity, traces of soiling on the
tubing connectors, hose, etc.)
Follow the recommendations of RENAULT
TRUCKS
See Technical Note B0032
Re-establish leak tightness or replace the
defective part
Re-establish the seal at the valve stem seals
Check the seal of the compressed air circuit for
the whole rig (platform + trailer or tractor +
trailer)
Check the turbocharger
– Repair the device
(the system must be disconnected for weighing)
– Replace the filter element
– Replace the defective, loosened or
disconnected parts
– If a filtration problem is found:
 Analyse the vehicle’s history
 Have the oil analysed and check the
percentage of silica particles

© RENAULT TRUCKS 2/4 Direction Customer Technical Support B0249/3

IV – OIL CONSUMPTION MEASUREMENT BY THE WEIGHING METHOD
There is no simple way to measure oil consumption. The "weighing method" remains the only pertinent
one.
Preliminary actions:
– Note the previous oil consumption given by the customer, for every 1,000 km.
Prepare and weigh a clean container
– Disconnect the automatic oil top-up system if the vehicle has one.
r

Complete form F0002 using the method below.

IV – 1. Weighing the oil before the test

– Place the vehicle on horizontal ground and mark the position so that it can be placed again in the
same place after the test and if possible under the same loading conditions.
– Check the oil level on the mechanical gauge after the engine has been stopped for at least
15 minutes.
– If necessary, add or remove oil so that the level is between the minimum and maximum.
– If necessary, warm up the engine so that the coolant temperature is between 75°C and 85°C.
– Drain the engine oil into the container which has already been weighed empty.
– Allow the oil to drip for 20 minutes.
– Weigh the container containing the drained oil on high precision weighing scales* (10 grams).
– Note the result of this weighing.
– Refit the oil sump drain plug and return the weighed oil to the engine.

The container used for weighing must neither be used nor cleaned before it is used again for
weighing after the test.

* If possible use scales with the following specifications:

– Max. range: 60 kg.
– Graduations: 10 g.
– Operating temperature: 0°C to 40°C.
– Resolution: 1 / 5,000.
IV – 2. Road test
– Fill the diesel tank up to a visual marker allowing accurate repetition of the operation.
– Make a note of the kilometre reading on the odometer.
– Carry out the road test with the usual driver on the usual circuit over a minimum distance of:
 1,000 km for HD/MD
 500 km for LD.
– After the road test, refill the fuel tank up to the chosen mark.
– Note the quantity of fuel added, which then indicates the consumption.
– Note the precise driving time in order to establish an average speed (do an Infomax read-out for
HD/MD).
– Make a note of the precise kilometre reading on the odometer.

© RENAULT TRUCKS 3/4 Direction Customer Technical Support B0249/3

 IV – 3. Weighing the oil after the test
– Place the vehicle in the same place as used for draining the oil before the test.
– Carry out an engine oil change under the same conditions as those described previously whilst
using the same container (which has not been used or cleaned since then).
– Weigh the container with the oil. The difference in weight compared with the previous weighing
indicates the quantity of oil used during the test.
– Take an oil sample and have it analysed (see Network Information K0022).

Complete the consumption calculation sheet on F0002 form and do the calculation.

– If the oil consumption is >:

 > 0.5 litres / 1000 km for LD,
 > 0.2% of diesel consumption for HD/MD,
Send form F0002 to Techline who will analyse the results and decide whether any further work is
justified.
– If not, the consumption is acceptable.

V – IN CASE OF ENGINE WORK

"DEGLAZING" operations on cylinder liners or barrels are INCOMPATIBLE with the use of
materials such as ceramic, and are therefore PROHIBITED.

For all engine work during the warranty period, the Warranty Claim form must be accompanied by:
– The parts and an oil sample (see Network Information K0022),
– Form F0002 and the calculation sheet duly completed.
– For HD/MD: The job card and a screenshot of the Infomax data (see Technical Note B0091).

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL LEAD TO A DEFINITIVE

REJECTION OF THE WARRANTY CLAIM.

© RENAULT TRUCKS 4/4 Direction Customer Technical Support B0249/3