Q&A: Natural Gas Engine Oils From AMSOIL

AMSOIL has added a new vehicular natural gas engine oil to the product line. They have also distinguished the previous Synthetic Natural Gas Engine Oil SAE (20W) 40 (ANG) as a strictly stationary product. The new product is called AMSOIL Vehicular Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGV) and the stationary product is now known as AMSOIL Stationary Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGS).

Here is a Q&A on these products:

1. Question:
Why did AMSOIL change the name and product code for Synthetic Natural Gas Engine Oil SAE (20W) 40 (ANG) to AMSOIL Synthetic Stationary Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGS)?

Answer:
These changes were made to help minimize misapplication in natural gas engines. The product previously known as AMSOIL Synthetic Natural Gas Engine Oil SAE (20W) 40 (ANG), was originally positioned as the primary recommendation for all stationary natural gas engines requiring low‐ash oil. The product code was changed to ANGS to more clearly indicate that it is for use in stationary engines, and to differentiate it from AMSOIL Synthetic Vehicular Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGV) for vehicular natural gas engines.

2. Question:
Did AMSOIL reformulate its stationary natural gas engine oil?

Answer:
No, there have been no formulary changes to AMSOIL Synthetic Stationary Natural Gas Engine Oil.

3. Question:
What if AMSOIL Synthetic Stationary Natural Gas Engine Oil (formerly ANG) has been in use in a natural gas vehicle or mobile application?

Answer:
AMSOIL Stationary Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGS) performs well in vehicular natural gas engines; however, the next‐generation technology of AMSOIL Vehicular Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGV) is formulated with higher levels of anti‐wear additives to deliver outstanding valvetrain protection. AMSOIL recommends using Vehicular Natural Gas Engine Oil in all vehicles or mobile equipment fueled by natural gas.

4. Question:
What are the benefits of AMSOIL Natural Gas Engine Oils?

Answer:
AMSOIL natural gas engine oils are formulated with low ash to minimize carbon deposits, ring sticking or plug fouling; reduce maintenance and extend equipment life. Advanced anti‐wear and anti‐scuff protection helps control valve recession and wear on piston rings, cylinder liners and bearings. AMSOIL natural gas engine oils are engineered with premium base oils and additives to improve engine lubrication by keeping oil passages clean. These balanced formulations allow for a high total base number (TBN) to protect against corrosion, while meeting low ash requirements. They resist nitration and oxidation to deliver maximum protection in natural gas engines.

5. Question:
With the introduction of AMSOIL Synthetic Vehicular Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGV), there are now two natural gas engine oils to choose from. How does one determine the correct product for a given application?

Answer:
AMSOIL natural gas engine oils are formulated to meet the needs of the intended application. Stationary natural gas engines generally use roller‐tappet cams and do not need the increased levels of zinc and phosphorus to protect the valvetrain. AMSOIL SAE (20W) 40 Synthetic Stationary Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGS) is recommended for stationary natural gas engines that do not require high levels of anti‐wear additives. On the other hand, vehicular and mobile natural gas engines use flat‐tappet cams which require additional anti‐wear additives to protect the valvetrain. AMSOIL SAE 15W‐40 Synthetic Vehicular Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGV) is formulated with higher levels of zinc and phosphorus to protect the flat‐tappet/camshaft lobe interface. This highly loaded area requires the use of properly formulated natural gas engine oil to reduce wear and extend flat‐tappet and camshaft life.

ANGS – Stationary natural gas engines
ANGV – Vehicular and mobile natural gas engines

6. Question:
What stationary engines can AMSOIL Synthetic Stationary Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGS) be used in?

Answer:
AMSOIL Stationary Natural Gas Engine Oil is recommended for use in stationary four‐stroke and select two‐stroke natural gas‐fueled stationary engines that require low‐ash (<.50%) engine oil. Examples include stationary natural gas engines from the following manufacturers:

• Bergen
• MAN Brons
• Mirrlees Blackstone
• Caterpillar
• MWM Deutz
• Cooper Bessemer (two‐stroke)
• Niigata
• Dresser‐Rand (Clark) (two‐stroke)
• Ruston
• Dresser‐Rand (Worthington) (two‐stroke)
• Wartsila NSD
• Dresser Rand
• SEMT Pielstick
• Jenbacher
• Superior
• MAN B & W
• Waukesha
• MDE

7. Question:
What specifications does AMSOIL Vehicular Natural Gas Engine Oil carry?

Answer:
AMSOIL Vehicular Natural Gas Engine Oil is recommended for use in applications requiring Cummins CES 20074. Many vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Kenworth, Mack, Peterbilt, Freightliner, Sterling, El Dorado, AutoCar WX, Orion and others are offering natural gas models equipped with a Cummins Westport ISL G engine, which specifies a 15W‐40 oil meeting Cummins CES 20074. AMSOIL Vehicular Natural Gas Engine Oil is recommended for use in applications including, but not limited to: urban buses, local delivery trucks, refuse haulers, school buses and street sweepers.

8. Question:
Can AMSOIL Vehicular Natural Gas Engine Oil be used in stationary natural gas engines?

Answer:
Yes, the higher zinc and phosphorus levels will provide superior wear protection and oxidation resistance in stationary natural gas engines; however, if the OEM service manual designates the use of a low phosphorus oil to protect exhaust catalysts, AMSOIL recommends using Synthetic Stationary Natural Gas Engine Oil (ANGS).

9. Question:
What are the general categories outlining different ash levels for natural gas engines?

Answer:
There are three classified levels of ash content for natural gas engines, including ashless, low ash and medium ash.

Ash Content (%/wt)	Classification	Industry Uses
AshlessTwo‐stroke engines
0.4‐0.6	Low Ash (universal)	Four‐stroke engines*
0.7‐1.0	Medium Ash	Severe fuels (landfill, sour or sewage gas)

*The universal class for four‐stroke natural gas engines is low‐ash lubricants, however some two‐cycle manufacturers allow for their use. AMSOIL natural gas engine oils are low‐ash formulas.

10. Question:
Can AMSOIL natural gas engine oils be used over extended drain intervals?

Answer:
AMSOIL synthetic natural gas engine oils (ANGS and ANGV) are formulated for extended oil drain intervals when monitored by a qualified oil analysis program. If extending oil drain intervals, change the oil filter at the recommended engine manufacturer drain interval.

11. Question:
What package sizes are available for AMSOIL Stationary Gas Engine Oil (ANGS) and AMSOIL Vehicular Gas Engine Oil (ANGV)?

Answer:

Package Size	Vehicular	Stationary
5‐gallon	ANGV05	ANGS05
55‐gallon	ANGV55	ANGS55
275‐gallon	ANGV27	ANGS27