Determining the effect of soy methyl ether additives to commercial diesel fuels on oil change interval in a 1.5 Renault diesel engine, model K9K

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2026.358837

Keywords:

alternative fuels, biodiesel, replacement terms, service life

Abstract

This study explores viscosity-temperature characteristics of Castrol GTX RN-Spec 5W-30 engine oil and its oxidation resistance. The task addressed investigates the effect of adding SME to diesel fuels on the timing of oil changes in the engine.

The results showed that the maximum service life of Castrol GTX RN-Spec 5W-30 oil under specified conditions is 12 thousand km when operating on commercial diesel fuel. In the case of using mixtures of diesel fuel and 10, 20, and 50 vol. % SME, the maximum service life of cars before oil replacement according to viscosity-temperature characteristics is reduced from 9 to 6 thousand km, respectively.

The total base number (TBN) indicator of all experimental samples of engine oils reaches a critical value after a run of 9 thousand km. In general, the use of fuel mixtures with biodiesel based on soybean methyl ether in an amount of up to 50 vol. % does not require a significant reduction in the oil replacement period according to the TBN indicator.

The deterioration in the viscosity-temperature characteristics of Castrol GTX RN-Spec 5W-30 engine oil is explained by the fact that biodiesel fuel based on soybean methyl ether has a lower heat of combustion. The fuel mixtures do not have time to completely burn in the engine cylinders and, being washed away with the oil into the sump, partially dilute it.

The accumulation of biodiesel fuel in engine oil also contributes to a decrease in the alkaline number of Castrol GTX RN-Spec 5W-30 engine oil and accelerates its oxidation process.

The findings made it possible to move from general assumptions to specific regulations – reducing oil change intervals by 20–50% or introducing specialized engine oils.

The results of this work could be used in the field of car service to adjust the mileage limits before oil change when operating cars on biodiesel fuel

Author Biographies

Vasyl Melnyk, Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Motor Vehicle Transport

Mariia Hnyp, Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Associate Professor

Department of Motor Vehicle Transport

Ihor Zakhara, Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Motor Vehicle Transport

Ivan Mykytii, Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department of Motor Vehicle Transport

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Determining the effect of soy methyl ether additives to commercial diesel fuels on oil change interval in a 1.5 Renault diesel engine, model K9K

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Published

2026-04-30

How to Cite

Melnyk, V., Hnyp, M., Zakhara, I., & Mykytii, I. (2026). Determining the effect of soy methyl ether additives to commercial diesel fuels on oil change interval in a 1.5 Renault diesel engine, model K9K. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 2(6 (140), 27–35. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2026.358837

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 6 (140) (2026): Technology organic and inorganic substances

Section

Technology organic and inorganic substances

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Copyright (c) 2026 Vasyl Melnyk, Maria Hnyp, Ihor Zakhara, Ivan Mykytii

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