Management Board

Unconfirmed Minutes from the last Management Board meeting, held on 1st December 2009, will be available to CEC Group members on the CEC Web Site towards the end of week commencing 14th December 2009. 

Effects of Biodiesel Using the Daimler OM646LA Engine

Further detail has been added to the Template and Terms of Reference.  These documents are in the process of being finalised within the Industry Associations.  See the Board Minutes for full details.
The tender document will soon be sent out to interested parties and available on the public part of the CEC Web Site at www.cectests.org.  Both bids and sponsorship partners will be required promptly, in order to start this new test development group as early as possible in 2010.

Replacement for DV4 Test (CEC L-93-04)

The draft Template and Terms of Reference have been written but are awaiting details about the EURO V engine before they can be completed and then reviewed and approved by Industry.

CEC M-100-09 – Turbo Deposits Code of Practice

Now available on the CEC Web Site.  It is free to members of the original TDG-L-100 Test Development Group and for sale to others at a price of Euro 26,500.

SG-L-101 – OM501LA

The Group, with support from their SDG Liaison Officer, should define the appropriate way to introduce the new reference oil and define new targets and control bands.  
It was suggested that the Group considers running the new oil as the next reference test, similar to ASTM practice, rather than having a separate oil approval program.  This would start to demonstrate discrimination from the high reference oil and the revised bands could be set when more data is generated.  
Alternatively Group Members could all agree to share the cost of running the relevant tests at one or more of their laboratories.  In this instance the CEC Secretariat would need to receive a proposal, invoice all Group members for their share and collect in all the funds before the testing could take place.

SG-F-098 – DW10

Although there have been some severity issues the test is under control and work is being done to improve engine durability in order to lessen the impact on hardware, without affecting power loss.  The Group is also moving to cleaned instead of new injectors.

CEC L-78-99 – VWT Di Test

The test remains available.  
The Group has evaluated the problem and established how to address it.  A new batch of pistons is being made, but carefully selected pistons from the faulty batch can be used in the meantime.

SG-L-042 (OM364LA) and SG-L-052 (OM441LA)

Both these Groups will close on 23rd December 2009, when the tests will no longer be relevant for ACEA approvals.  Thanks go to the Chairmen of these two Groups and to the members, for all their contributions.

CEC Reference Fluids

Guidance for the Reference Fuels tender process has been improved in Section 2 of the Reference Fuels Manual.  
The balance of the Manual still requires updating but in the meantime the revised Section 2 will be sent to all Chairmen for their information.
In addition, please note that in future all Reference Fuels tenders will be sent out and bids collected in by the CEC Secretariat.  Individual Groups will consider the bids received and then propose the best supplier, based on criteria that they have defined in advance.  In this way bids need not be made anonymous in order to be treated fairly. The CEC Board will need to approve the decision on the reference fuel supplier that is made by the Group.

Rating Issues

The Rating Steering Group Chairman, Rating Workshop organisers and representatives of the CEC Management Board will meet early in 2010 to discuss responsibilities, planning of Workshops and the updating of the Rating Manual.

Transmissions Groups

Regretfully, members of the CEC Transmission Groups SG-T-011, SG-T-091 and TDG-T-102 have proposed to the CEC Board that these Groups be closed with immediate effect.
The TDG-T-102 Test Method has not been completed.  The two completed Test Methods will remain the property of CEC under copyright and will be continue to be available for sale, but they will be declared as “unsupported by a CEC Group”.

CEC Quality

It is understood that ATC agreed to release candidate data to SDG for the OM501 and OM646.  
The analysis of these results appears to be interesting and could help to accept test parameters in the CEC test methods, even when there is no discrimination apparent between reference oils.  There will be more news about this after the February 2010 Board Meeting.
Also, look out for a newly designed Working Group Progress Report format next year.

CEC Test Monitoring System Update

Read here about the updates to the CEC’s Test Monitoring System
Data Quality: A new data input validation procedure is being rolled out to all test types on the CEC Test Monitoring System (TMS).  The procedure will check data upload files and give improved feedback to users on data formatting errors.  The new upload procedure is now installed on Elastomer RE1 to 4 (CEC L-39-96), XUD9 (CEC F-23-01), HFRR (CEC F-96-06), and FZG Transmissions tests CEC L-07-A-95 and CEC L-84-02 test types.
 
HFRR (CEC F-06-96):  We are liaising with hardware suppliers regarding HFRR upload issues.  If you have any problems with HFRR uploads please contact the CEC TMS Support Desk at cec-tma@pdcnet.org.uk
 
Valid Fluid / Batch Combinations:  These are now listed when you select a test type.  You will see a list of valid fluids and batches listed on the right hand side of the screen.  Clicking on instruments will show a list of valid instruments for your laboratory.

Change of CEC Board Chairman and Director

Effective 31st December 2009, Mr. Hans Thomassen will retire from the Chair of the CEC Management Board.  He will be replaced by Mr. Derek Mackney.  We are sure that CEC members join the CEC Board in thanking Hans for his contribution and leadership and to wish him well in the future.

CEC Secretariat Opening Hours

We would like to take this opportunity of wishing all our readers a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and successful 2010.
Over the Christmas and New Year holidays the CEC Secretariat will close at 1730 hours on Wednesday 23rd December 2009 and re-open at 0800 hours on Monday 4th January 2010.
Please remember that the availability of the CEC Secretariat and the CEC Help Desk has changed.  Opening Hours are now Monday to Thursday, 0800-1730 hours.  The office is closed on Fridays.

CEC Help Desk

Suggestions?  Questions?  Guidance?  Support is available from Lyn, Barry and Monique.  See the CEC Web Site for details:  www.cectests.org