ASTM D6984-03
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Automotive Engine Oils in the Sequence IIIF, Spark-Ignition Engine
Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Automotive Engine Oils in the Sequence IIIF, Spark-Ignition Engine
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers an engine test procedure for evaluating automotive engine oils for certain high-temperature performance characteristics, including oil thickening, varnish deposition, oil consumption, as well as engine wear. Such oils include both single viscosity grade and multiviscosity grade oils that are used in both spark-ignition, gasoline-fueled engines, as well as in diesel engines.Note 1
Companion test methods used to evaluate engine oil performance for specification requirements are discussed in SAE J304.
1.2 The values stated in SI or other units shall be regarded as the standard. The values given in parenthesis are provided for information only.
1.3 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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An American National Standard
Designation: D 6984 – 03
Standard Test Method for
Evaluation of Automotive Engine Oils in the Sequence IIIF,
Spark-Ignition Engine
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6984; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This test method described can be used by any properly equipped laboratory; it does not require the
assistance of anyone outside that laboratory. However, the ASTM Test Monitoring Center (TMC)
provides reference oils and an assessment of the test results obtained on those oils by the laboratory
(see Annex A1). By these means, the laboratory will know whether their use of the test method gives
results statistically similar to those obtained by other laboratories. Furthermore, various agencies
require that a laboratory utilize the TMC services in seeking qualification of oils against specifications.
For example, the U.S. Army imposes such a requirement in connection with several Army engine
lubricating oil specifications.
Accordingly, this test method is written for use by laboratories that utilize the TMC services.
Laboratories that choose not to use those services may simply ignore those portions of the test method
that refer to the TMC.
This test method may be modified by means of Information Letters issued by the TMC. In addition,
the TMC may issue supplementary memoranda related to the test method (see A1.8).
1. Scope
Subject Section
Scope 1
1.1 This test method covers an engine test procedure for
Referenced Documents 2
evaluating automotive engine oils for certain high-temperature
Terminology 3
Summary of Test Method 4
performance characteristics, including oil thickening, varnish
Significance and Use 5
deposition, oil consumption, as well as engine wear. Such oils
Apparatus 6
include both single viscosity grade and multiviscosity grade
Laboratory 6.1
Drawings 6.2
oils that are used in both spark-ignition, gasoline-fueled
Specified Equipment 6.3
engines, as well as in diesel engines.
Test Engine 6.4
Engine Parts 6.4.1
NOTE 1—Companion test methods used to evaluate engine oil perfor-
Engine Speed and Load Control 6.5
mance for specification requirements are discussed in SAE J304.
Fluid Conditioning Module 6.6
Engine Cooling System 6.6.1
1.2 The values stated in SI or other units shall be regarded
Flushing Tank 6.7
as the standard. The values given in parenthesis are provided
Coolant Mixing Tank 6.8
Condenser Cooling Systems 6.9
for information only.
Engine Oil-Cooling System 6.10
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Fuel System 6.11
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Induction Air Supply Humidity, Temperature, and Pressure 6.12
Temperature Measurement 6.13
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Thermocouple Location 6.13.1
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Air-to-Fuel Ratio Determination 6.14
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
Injector Flow Testing 6.14.1
Exhaust and Exhaust Back Pressure Systems 6.15
1.4 This test method is arranged as follows:
Blowby Flow Rate Measurement 6.16
Pressure Measurement and Sensor Location 6.17
Reagents and Materials 7
Test Fuel 7.1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on
Engine and Condenser Coolant 7.2
Petroleum Products and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
Coolant Additive 7.3
D02.B0 on Automotive Lubricants.
Coolant Preparation 7.4
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2003. Published January 2004.
2 Pre-Test Cleaning Materials 7.5
ASTM Test Monitoring Center, 6555 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206-4489.
Sealing and Anti-seize Compounds 7.6
Internet address www.astmtmc.cmu.edu.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6984–03
Subject Section Subject Section
Test Oil Sample Requirements 8 Load 10.8.7
Preparation of Apparatus 9 Measurement Resolution 10.8.8
Condenser Cleaning 9.1 System Time Response 10.8.9
Intake Manifold Cleaning 9.3 Quality Index 10.8.10
Cleaning of Engine Parts (other than the block and heads) 9.4 Engine Operating Procedure 11
Engine Block Cleaning 9.5 Dipstick and Hole Plug 11.1
Cylinder Head Cleaning 9.6 Dipstick Hole O-ring 11.2
Engine Build-up Procedure 9.7 Engine Start-up and Shutdown Procedures 11.3
General Information 9.7.1 Start-up 11.4
Special Parts 9.7.2 Scheduled Shutdown 11.5
Hardware Information 9.7.3 Non-Scheduled Shutdowns 11.6
Fastener Torque Specifications and Torquing Proce- 9.7.4 Oil Sampling 11.7
dures Oil Leveling 11.8
Parts Replacement 9.8 Air-to-Fuel-Ratio Measurement and Control 11.9
Engine Block Preparation 9.9 Air-to-Fuel Ratio Verification 11.10
Piston Fitting and Numbering 9.10 Blowby Flow Rate Measurement 11.11
Piston Ring Fitting 9.10.1 NO Determinations 11.12
x
Pre-Test Camshaft and Lifter Measurements 9.11 Data Recording 11.13
Camshaft Bearing Installation 9.12 Initial Run (10 min) 11.14
Camshaft Installation 9.13
Engine Oil Quality Testing (80 h) 11.15
Main Bearings 9.14 Test Termination 11.16
Crankshaft Installation 9.14.1 Determination of Test Results 12
Main Bearing Cap Installation 9.14.2 Engine Disassembly 12.2
Crankshaft Sprocket 9.15 Preparation of Parts for Rating of Sticking, Deposits, 12.3
Camshaft Sprocket and Timing Chain 9.16 and Plugging
Crankshaft End Play 9.17 Piston Deposit Rating 12.4
Piston Pin Installation 9.18 Post-Test Camshaft and Lifter Wear Measurements 12.5
Piston Installation 9.18.1 End-of Test Used Oil Sample Testing 12.6
Harmonic Balancer 9.19 Viscosity Test 12.7
Connecting Rod Bearings 9.20 Testing Oil Samples for Wear Metals 12.8
Engine Front Cover 9.21 Blowby Flow Rate Measurements 12.9
Coolant Inlet Adapter 9.22 Oil Consumption Computation 12.10
Oil Dipstick Hole 9.23 Photographs of Test Parts 12.11
Oil Pan 9.24 Retention of Representative Test Parts 12.12
Cylinder Head Assembly 9.25 Severity Adjustments 12.13
Adjustment of Valve Spring Loads 9.26 Determination of Operational Validity 12.14
Cylinder Head Installation 9.27 Report 13
Hydraulic Valve Lifters 9.28 Report Forms 13.1
Pushrods 9.29 Use of SI Units 13.2
Valve Train Loading 9.30 Precision of Reported Units 13.3
Intake Manifold 9.31 Deviations from Test Operational Limits 13.4
Rocker Covers 9.32 Precision and Bias 14
Water Inlet Adapter 9.33 Keywords 15
Condenser 9.34 Annexes
The Role of the ASTM Test Monitoring Center (TMC) and Annex A1
Coolant Outlet Adapter 9.35
Oil Filter Adapter 9.36 the Calibration Program
Oil Sample Valve 9.37 Sequence IIIF Test Parts Replacement Guidelines Annex A2
Ignition System 9.38 Sequence IIIF Determination Volume of Engine Oil in Pan Annex A3
Throttle Body 9.39 Sequence IIIF Test Fuel Analysis Annex A4
Accessory Drive Units 9.40 Sequence IIIF Test Reporting Annex A5
Exhaust Manifolds, Water-Cooled 9.41 Sequence IIIF Test Air-to-Fuel Ratio Control Flow Chart Annex A6
Engine Flywheel 9.42 Sequence IIIF Test Set Points and Control States Annex A7
Pressure Checking of Engine Coolant System 9.43 Sequence IIIF Quality Index Upper and Lower Values Annex A8
Sequence IIIF Engine Oil Level Worksheet Annex A9
Lifting of Assembled Engines 9.44
Mounting the Engine on the Test Stand 9.45 Blowby Flow Rate Determination Annex A11
External Cooling System Cleaning 9.46 Safety Precautions Annex A11
Engine Coolant Jacket Cleaning (Flushing) 9.47 Sequence IIIF Blueprint Listing Annex A12
Coolant Charging 9.48 Appendix
Test Oil Charging 9.49 Sequence IIIFHD Test Procedure Appendix X1
Engine Oil Pump Priming 9.50
Calibration 10
2. Referenced Documents
Laboratory and Engine Test Stand Calibration 10.1
Testing of Reference Oils 10.2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Reference Oil Test Frequency 10.3
D 16 Terminology for Paint, and Related Coatings, Materi-
Reporting of Reference Oil Test Results 10.4
als, and Applications
Evaluation of Reference Oil Test Results 10.5
Status of Non-Reference Oil Tests Relative to Reference 10.6
D 86 Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products at
Oil Test
Atmospheric Pressure
Status of Test Stands Used for Non-Standard Tests 10.7
Data Acquisition and Control 10.8
Sample Rate 10.8.1
Measurement Accuracy 10.8.2
Temperature 10.8.3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Pressure 10.8.4
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Flow 10.8.5
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Speed 10.8.6
the ASTM website.
D6984–03
D 130 Test Method for Detection of Copper Corrosion from D 5452 Test Method for Particulate Contamination in Avia-
Petroleum Products by the Copper Strip Tarnish Test tion Fuels by Laboratory Filtration
D 5533 Test Method for Evaluation of Automotive Engine
D 235 Specification for Mineral Spirits (Petroleum Spirits)
Oils in the Sequence IIIE, Spark-Ignition Engine
(Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning Solvent)
D 5800 Test Method for Evaporation Loss of Lubricating
D 240 Test Method for Heat of Combustion of Liquid
Oils by the Noack Method
Hydrocarbon Fuels by Bomb Calorimeter
D 5844 Test Method for Evaluation of Automotive Engine
D 323 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Prod-
Oils for Inhibition of Rusting (Sequence IID)
ucts (Reid Method)
D 5862 Test Method for Evaluation of Engine Oils in
D 381 Test Method for Gum Content in Fuels by Jet
Two-Stroke Cycle Turbo-Supercharged 6V92TA Diesel
Evaporation
Engine
D 445 Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent
D 5967 Test Method for Evaluation of Diesel Engine Oils in
and Opaque Liquids (the Calculation of Dynamic Viscos-
T-8 Diesel Engine
ity)
D 6557 Test Method for Evaluation of Rust Preventive
D 525 Test Method for Oxidation Stability of Gasoline
Characteristics of Automotive Engine Oils
(Induction Period Method)
E 29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to
D 1319 Test Method for Hydrocarbon Types in Liquid
Determine Conformance with Specifications
Petroleum Products by Fluorescent Indicator Adsorption
E 191 Specification for Apparatus for Microdetermination
D 2699 Test Method for Research Octane Number of
of Carbon and Hydrogen in Organic and Organo-Metallic
Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel
Compounds
D 2700 Test Method for Octane Number of Spark-Ignition
E 344 Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrom-
Engine Fuel
etry
D 3231 Test Method for Phosphorus in Gasoline
E 608/E 608M Specification for Mineral-Insulated, Metal-
D 3237 Test Method for Lead in Gasoline by Atomic
Sheathed Base Metal Thermocouples
Absorption Spectroscopy
E 1119 Specification for Industrial Grade Ethylene Glycol
D 3338 Test Method for Estimation of Net Heat of Com-
E 1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
bustion of Aviation Fuels
G 40 Terminology Relating to Wear and Erosion
D 3343 Test Method for Estimation of Hydrogen Content of IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Standard for Use of the International
Aviation Fuels
System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System
2.2 Military Specification:
D 4052 Test Method for Density and Relative Density of
Liquids by Digital Density Meter MIL-PRF-2104 Lubricating Oil, Internal Combustion En-
gine, Tactical Service
D 4175 Terminology Relating to Petroleum, Petroleum
2.3 SAE Standards:
Products, and Lubricants
J183 Engine Oil Performance and Engine Service Classifi-
D 4294 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum and Petroleum
cation (Other Than “Energy-Conserving”)
Products by Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spec-
J300 Engine Oil Viscosity Classification *HS-23/00*
trometry
J304 Engine Oil Tests
D 4485 Specification for Performance of Engine Oils
2.4 Other Document:
D 4684 Test Method for Determination of Yield Stress and
CRC Manual 20 Rating Techniques and Breakdown Meth-
Apparent Viscosity of Engine Oils at Low Temperature
ods
D 4815 Test Method for Determination of MTBE, ETBE,
TAME, DIPE, tertiary-Amyl Alcohol and C to C Alco-
1 4
3. Terminology
hols in Gasoline by Gas Chromatography
3.1 Definitions:
D 5119 Test Method for Evaluation of Automotive Engine
3.1.1 blowby, n—in internal combustion engines, the com-
Oils in the CRC L-38 Spark-Ignition Engine
bustion products and unburned air-and-fuel mixture that enter
D 5185 Test Method for Determination of Additive Ele-
the crankcase. D 5302
ments, Wear Metals, and Contaminants in Used Lubricat-
3.1.2 BTDC (before top dead center), adj—the angular
ing Oils and Determination of Selected Elements in Base
position of the crankshaft relative to its position at the point of
Oils by inductively coupled plasma Atomic Emission
uppermost travel of the piston in the cylinder, used with the
Spectrometry (ICP-AES)
degree symbol (°). D 5533
D 5191 Test Method for Vapor Pressure of Petroleum Prod-
ucts (Mini Method)
D 5293 Test Method for Apparent Viscosity of Engine Oils
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
Between -5 and -35°C Using the Cold-Cranking Simulator
Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098.
D 5302 Test Method for Evaluation of Automotive Engine
Available from Society of Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Dr.,
Warrendale, PA 15096-0001. These standards are not available separately. Order
Oils for Inhibition of Deposit Formation and Wear in a
either SAE Handbook Vol. 3, or SAE Fuels and Lubricants Standards Manual
Spark-Ignition Internal Combustion Engine Fueled with
HS-23.
Gasoline and Operated Under Low-Temperature, Light-
Available from Coordinating Research Council, Inc., 219 Perimeter Center
Duty Conditions Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30346.
D6984–03
3.1.3 calibrate, v—to determine the indication or output of D5119
a measuring device with respect to that of a standard. E 344
3.1.20 non-reference oil, n—any oil, other than a reference
3.1.4 clogging, n—the restriction of a flow path due to the oil; such as a research formulation, commercial oil, or candi-
accumulation of material along the flow path boundaries.
date oil. D 5844
D 5844
3.1.21 oxidation, n—of engine oil, the reaction of the oil
3.1.5 cold-stuck piston ring, n—in internal combustion
with an electron acceptor, generally oxygen, that can produce
engines, a piston ring that is stuck when the piston and ring are
deleterious acidic components often manifested as sludge
at room temperature, but inspection shows that it was free
formation, varnish formation, viscosity increase, or corrosion,
during engine operation. D 5302
or combination thereof. D 5967
3.1.6 correction facto
...
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