ASTM D3525-20

Standard Test Method for Gasoline Fuel Dilution in Used Gasoline Engine Oils by Wide-Bore Capillary Gas Chromatography

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Some fuel dilution of the engine oil may take place during normal operation. However, excessive fuel dilution is of concern in terms of possible performance problems. This method provides a means to determine the magnitude of the fuel dilution, providing the user with the ability to predict performance problems and to take appropriate action.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a gas chromatographic technique for determining the amount of gasoline fuel dilution in used lubricating oils arising from their use in gasoline engines.  
1.2 This test method is limited to gas chromatographs accommodating wide-bore (0.53 mm) capillary columns and that are equipped with flame ionization detectors (FIDs) and temperature programmable ovens.  
1.3 There is no limitation regarding the fuel dilution concentration range that can be determined by this method, however the precision statements apply only to the concentration range of 0.5 % to 20.3 % gasoline. A reporting limit of 0.5 % gasoline fuel dilution has also been included in the method.  
1.4 Lubricating fluids recovered from engine crankcases have undergone changes due to heating, volatilization, sheering, oxidation and other reactions, and, as a result, the chromatographic profiles of the gasoline diluents and engine oils often differ significantly from their original patterns. Caution is accordingly advised when comparing quantitative determinations made using new verses used or in-service materials.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.  
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Jun-2020
• ICS: 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.B0 - Automotive Lubricants

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D3525 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Gasoline Fuel Dilution in Used Gasoline Engine Oils by
1
Wide-Bore Capillary Gas Chromatography
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3525; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This test method describes a gas chromatographic tech-
nique for determining the amount of gasoline fuel dilution in
2. Referenced Documents
used lubricating oils arising from their use in gasoline engines.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 This test method is limited to gas chromatographs
E355 Practice for Gas ChromatographyTerms and Relation-
accommodating wide-bore (0.53 mm) capillary columns and
ships
that are equipped with flame ionization detectors (FIDs) and
E594 Practice for Testing Flame Ionization Detectors Used
temperature programmable ovens.
in Gas or Supercritical Fluid Chromatography
E1510 Practice for Installing Fused Silica Open Tubular
1.3 There is no limitation regarding the fuel dilution con-
centration range that can be determined by this method, Capillary Columns in Gas Chromatographs
however the precision statements apply only to the concentra-
3. Terminology
tion range of 0.5 % to 20.3 % gasoline. A reporting limit of
3.1 Definitions:
0.5 % gasoline fuel dilution has also been included in the
3.1.1 For definition of gas chromatography terms, refer to
method.
Practice E355.
1.4 Lubricating fluids recovered from engine crankcases
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
have undergone changes due to heating, volatilization,
3.2.1 fuel diluent, n—in used oil analysis, unburned fuel
sheering, oxidation and other reactions, and, as a result, the
components that enter the engine crankcase causing dilution of
chromatographic profiles of the gasoline diluents and engine
the oil.
oils often differ significantly from their original patterns.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—In this method, the fuel diluent compo-
Caution is accordingly advised when comparing quantitative
nents being determined originate from gasoline.
determinations made using new verses used or in-service
3.2.2 fuel dilution, n—the amount, expressed as a
materials.
percentage, of gasoline found in engine lubricating oil.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Fuel dilution may be the result of
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
engine wear or improper performance.
standard.
3.3 Abbreviations:
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.3.1 Acommonabbreviationofhydrocarboncompoundsis
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
to designate the number of carbon atoms in the compound. A
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
prefix is used to indicate the carbon chain form, while a
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
subscripted suffix denotes the number of carbon atoms.
mine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
Example:
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
normal hexadecane n-C
16
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
iso-tetradecane i-C
14
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 A gas chromatographic technique is described for ana-
lyzing used engine oils by adding a known amount of
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of
2
Subcommittee D02.B0 on Automotive Lubricants. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved June 15, 2020. Published July 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D3525 – 04 (2016). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D3525-20. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D3525 − 20
TABLE 1 Typical Instrument Operating Conditions
Wide-Bore Capillary Column
Column l
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D3525 − 04 (Reapproved 2016) D3525 − 20
Standard Test Method for
Gasoline Diluent Fuel Dilution in Used Gasoline Engine Oils
1
by Wide-Bore Capillary Gas Chromatography
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3525; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the use of gas chromatography to determine describes a gas chromatographic technique for
determining the amount of gasoline fuel dilution in used lubricating oils arising from their use in gasoline engines.
1.2 There is no limitation for the determination of the dilution range, provided that the amount of sample plus internal standard
is within the linear range of the gas chromatograph detector.
1.2 This test method is limited to gas chromatographs accommodating wide-bore (0.53 mm) capillary columns and that are
equipped with flame ionization detectors (FIDs) and temperature programmable ovens.
NOTE 1—The use of other detectors and instrumentation has been reported. However, the precision statement applies only when the instrumentation
specified is employed.
1.3 There is no limitation regarding the fuel dilution concentration range that can be determined by this method, however the
precision statements apply only to the concentration range of 0.5 % to 20.3 % gasoline. A reporting limit of 0.5 % gasoline fuel
dilution has also been included in the method.
1.4 The applicability of this method to gelled used engine oils has not been adequately investigated in order to ensure
compliance with the indicated repeatability and reproducibility. Gelled oils are defined as oils that develop structure on standing,
but that return to their original fluidity with light agitation.Lubricating fluids recovered from engine crankcases have undergone
changes due to heating, volatilization, sheering, oxidation and other reactions, and, as a result, the chromatographic profiles of the
gasoline diluents and engine oils often differ significantly from their original patterns. Caution is accordingly advised when
comparing quantitative determinations made using new verses used or in-service materials.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E260 Practice for Packed Column Gas Chromatography
E355 Practice for Gas Chromatography Terms and Relationships
E594 Practice for Testing Flame Ionization Detectors Used in Gas or Supercritical Fluid Chromatography
E1510 Practice for Installing Fused Silica Open Tubular Capillary Columns in Gas Chromatographs
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definition of gas chromatography terms, refer to Practice E355.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.B0 on Automotive Lubricants.
Current edition approved April 1, 2016June 15, 2020. Published May 2016July 2020. Originally approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 20102016 as
D3525 – 04 (2010).(2016). DOI: 10.1520/D3525-04R16.10.1520/D3525-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3525 − 20
3.2 Definitions of
...