Help needed! - University project
Discussion
Hi all,
For a university project, we have been looking at innovation and solving existing automotive problems. Our main audience will be track day enthusiasts, amateur racing drivers/teams or even someone who wants the extra level of protection for their engine.
In light of this, we have been looking at dynamic oil sampling. As such, we would appreciate the effort to answer these few questions please:
• Have you ever experienced engine failure as a result of the following:
- Bearing failure
- Oil Starvation
- Connecting rod failure
- Piston failure
- Other catastrophic failures
If so, would it be possible to talk about the experience?
We are looking to create a dynamic oil sampling monitor that can be universally fitted to your engine. The sampling monitor will contain a range of sensors mainly focusing on oil contamination from particulates and metal debris from engine components. The live results of these will then be fed back to the cabin such that the driver can monitor oil condition, thus preventing engine failure and oil change intervals.
• Is this something that would be of interest to you?
• If so, how much would you expect to pay for such a product?
Thank you for any responses!
Matt
For a university project, we have been looking at innovation and solving existing automotive problems. Our main audience will be track day enthusiasts, amateur racing drivers/teams or even someone who wants the extra level of protection for their engine.
In light of this, we have been looking at dynamic oil sampling. As such, we would appreciate the effort to answer these few questions please:
• Have you ever experienced engine failure as a result of the following:
- Bearing failure
- Oil Starvation
- Connecting rod failure
- Piston failure
- Other catastrophic failures
If so, would it be possible to talk about the experience?
We are looking to create a dynamic oil sampling monitor that can be universally fitted to your engine. The sampling monitor will contain a range of sensors mainly focusing on oil contamination from particulates and metal debris from engine components. The live results of these will then be fed back to the cabin such that the driver can monitor oil condition, thus preventing engine failure and oil change intervals.
• Is this something that would be of interest to you?
• If so, how much would you expect to pay for such a product?
Thank you for any responses!
Matt
What sort of contaminates would this device be able to detect and at what quantities? Do you/will you have access to what sort of contaminates are normal or not normal for which engines etc?
I'd be interested in something like this if it worked, but how would you demonstrate that it's a product that really works in any kind of reasonable time scale?
I'd be interested in something like this if it worked, but how would you demonstrate that it's a product that really works in any kind of reasonable time scale?
There are many oil debris sensors on the market that can measure contamination from ferrous particles, as well as water contamination. The sensors are actually not what we are trying to develop, it is to market these sensors in a package that may attract any car enthusiast, as opposed to more professional applications.
Not saying there wouldn't be a market for such a thing, but it sounds like overthinking, frankly. It's always going to be simpler to, say, change the oil every "x" trackdays than to constantly monitor it; and if you can't monitor every single parameter which determines the oil life, you would still have to stick to a regular schedule anyway. (eg, it might not be contaminated, but might have broken down because of overheating).
The oil companies have done this already to arrive at their recommended intervals; I'm not sure that live monitoring would really help.
The oil companies have done this already to arrive at their recommended intervals; I'm not sure that live monitoring would really help.
changing the oil frequently won't tell you the engine condition, and the intervals out there aren't so much dictated by the oil companies alone, more the lease companies that apply pressure for planned maintenance the oil companies respond to. The intervals on all cars are minimum, usually exceeded.
OP This is a good idea if you can get the sensor to survive long term in it's environment, you also would have to consider the same contaminants on the sensor pack will also be attached to internals, some of which will become oil borne at every oil change.
The concept works in lab environments analysing oil from the likes of F1 vehicles because everything is kept clean all the time, not so on production cars.
OP This is a good idea if you can get the sensor to survive long term in it's environment, you also would have to consider the same contaminants on the sensor pack will also be attached to internals, some of which will become oil borne at every oil change.
The concept works in lab environments analysing oil from the likes of F1 vehicles because everything is kept clean all the time, not so on production cars.
You might find some interest in this on M3 Cutters
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/
There can sometimes be a problem with the E9x M3 V8 wearing its bearings out. Some already send oil off for analysis.
Wingo.
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/
There can sometimes be a problem with the E9x M3 V8 wearing its bearings out. Some already send oil off for analysis.
Wingo.
An oil sampling monitor would be good, some cars like volvos and alfas have a 'oil wear' percentage readout which must be an algorithm that counts cold starts, hitting rev limits etc. However I think before all of that is considered most users would prefer to monitor good old fashioned oil temp and oil pressure (which most modern cars no longer have gauges for).
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