SOS Fluid Analysis
Allied’s Scheduled Oil Sampling (S.O.S) Program
Developed by Caterpillar for all reciprocating engines, transmissions, final drives and hydraulic systems. S.O.S. is preventive maintenance at its finest. It was developed by people who know engines better than anyone, and who have a vested interest in better performance, longer life and increased customer satisfaction.
No other oil analysis program is as thorough or as reliable at predicting potential trouble early.
Each S.O.S. test provides three specific types of diagnostic tests.
1 – Wear Analysis – monitors machine wear by detecting, identifying and assessing the amount and type of metal wear elements found in used oil.
2 – Chemical & Physical Tests – detects the physical presence of unwanted fluids (water, fuel, antifreeze) in the oil.
3 – Oil Condition Analysis – identifies loss of lubricating properties by quantifying combustion byproducts (soot, sulphur, oxidation and nitration products).
Important, when you receive your S.O.S. test results, it is clear, concise and easy to understand. It calls for specific, immediate action and/or makes carefully outlined recommendations – recommendations that add efficiency and productivity.
At all times, we available to answer questions or to discuss report specifics in detail, or, when necessary, to all factory technical consultants to help you understand the situation clearly.
S.O.S Expert Analysis
S.O.S. testing is simple and quick. Everything you need is included in a handy, complete kit. Sample testing is done in the laboratory by trained technicians utilizing the most modern equipment. These experts know what’s happening inside the equipment.They draw on a large historical database for your equipment to make comparisons and establish meaningful trends. They know speed is crucial, delays can be costly.
Most S.O.S. test results are available within 24 hours after receipt of the sample. If a critical situation is identified, you are immediately notified by telephone. Otherwise, evaluations and recommendations are supplied in an easy-to-understand report. This comprehensive report calls for specific action and / or makes carefully outlined recommendations which, when used, can result in greater efficiency and productivity.
| Indication | Problem Area & Causes | Potential Wear |
| Soot Excessive | Oil Degradation, Thickening | Bearing Damage, + / or Piston, Ring, Liner Wear |
| Oxidation Increase | Oil thickening, Varnish, Carbon | Piston, Ring, Linear Wear + / or Bearing Damage |
| Chromium, Molybdenum, Iron | Stuck or Broken Piston Ring (s) | Ring, Liner Wear |
| Silicon, Aluminum, Chromium, Iron | Dirt Ingestion, Poor air Filtration | Piston, Ring, Liner Wear |
| Silicon, Lead, Aluminum Iron | Dirt in Lower Engine | Crankshaft Bearing Wear |
| Copper, Aluminum, Iron | Oil Degradation or Contamination | Rod eye, Wrist Pin Wear |
| Aluminum, Chrome, Iron | Oil Degradation, Abnormal Operating Temp. | Piston, Ring, Liner Wear |
| Lead, aluminum | Oil Degradation or Contamination | Crankshaft Bearing Wear |
| Fuel | Oil Contamination, Visc. Loss | Bearing Damage + / or Piston, Ring, Liner Wear |
| Water (NA) + / or Glycol | Coolant Lead, Oil Contamination, Sludge Formation | Bearing Damage, + / or Piston, Ring, Liner Wear |
Our Part & Service Representative will help you prepare and institute a plan uniquely suited to your operation. He will take into consideration the type of equipment you operate, the kind of work you do, and your current maintenance practices. The largest fleet operator finds Caterpillar S.O.S. a real plus to pinpoint trouble among selected machines critical to his operation, those he can least afford to have shut down for unplanned repairs, or catastrophic failure.