Concept of engine flushing and quality engine oil

Clean dipstick after long travel...

It shows that the oil is able to withstand longer drain interval after the flush... and the reason why is stays cleaner longer is because during the earlier engine flush, excess carbon, soot and dirt left by the old engine oil has been flushed out.... so the new oil is actually cleaning current dirt and not left over dirt....

Example, washing machine.... when you wash your dirty clothes, you put in laundry detergents, during the first rinsing stage you see that the water is dark, and full of dirt... then dirty water drained, and comes the second stage of washing, you see that the water is clearer, (depending on how dirty you clothes are....) then as you continue to go thru a few more stages, the water is cleared right...? So that means that the laundry detergent is working.... Very true...

Now the same scenario with clean clothings... You put it into the washing machine and repeat the above process, during the first stage of rinsing, you will find that the water is clear.... (of course with foam lar....) but does that mean that the laundry detergent is not working...? It just shows that the clothes are clean and no dirt is present to be washed...

The same concept applies to engine flushing... The water is the medium to carry the laundry detergent to wash the clothes.... without the water and only the dertergent, the clothing will not be able to be washed completely... similarly the base oil is the medium to carry the detergent and dispersant additives to clean the engine....

Thus, if the engine has been effectively cleaned/ flushed, it just means that the new oil has lesser dirt to clean and thats why the oil stays cleaner longer...

I remember in my school days in science class, there's this term called (larutan tepu) or saturated solution... the teacher asked us to go home, and make a glass of milk with milk powder.... first you add sufficient milk powder until it becomes milk... then continue to add more milk powder and you will find that the more milk powder you add, the more the milk powder will be unable to dissolve.... it shows that the fluid has reached its saturation point....

While the detergents additives are cleaning, the above example is equilavent to the dispersant additives that suspends the dirt, carbon and soot until the next oil change and when it reaches its saturation point, it will be unable to keep the excess dirt suspended if not changed within the recommended OCI.... and that's one of the ways how engine oil sludge forms...

The Engine Oil Industry in Malaysia

Generally, all vehicles require engine oil... while some owners go for brand names, others go for freebies... There's a big number of car owners knowing very little about the qualities of engine oil... (while claiming they know more)... They just send their cars to the worskhop and the mechanincs will do the oil change... without knowing what engine oil is inside the engine... Ignorance...? or just pure Malaysian culture of "tidak apa" attitude....?

While it's been my duty working in this oily industry as part job but more of personal interest and as a hobby in the automotive industry, going around meeting workshops and mechanics is just part and parcels of my job responsibilities.... it's been only 3 years that I've been in this industry but yet i've learnt more than that in terms of human character and attitude... Sad but true, that many of the locals here are very gullible... To change a person's mindset, will take aeons...

Thus, I've met a very good friend, Simon who is in this automotive industry by education but due to the lack of opportunities and needs for qualified personnel in the industry, he decided to indulged in another industry, totally not related at all... Through fate, we've met, and came up with this idea of promoting the oil to the public and direct end users, thus the whole project that you see in this blog are results from months of planning and hard work.... It also wudn't have worked out so effectively well, sud we not have friends and car enthusiasts like alan, nelson, alex, hafeez, ayob, krystal, ken, eugene and company... (just to name a few) to help us pull thru this project in their own free time.... all because of personal interest in cars and the want-to-share the knowledge to other car owners who cares for their cars and the want-to provide a service to help car owners by saving money in the long run....

In my line of duty, I have found out that with the increase in prices of crude oil, direct and indirect industries and products like petrol, diesel, groceries, food, plastic components and etc... have seen an increase in prices too... Thus leading to lower and more thrifty spending power on the part of consumers... but yet when it comes to engine oil, many are oblivious to the industries' dark side of the trade....

I'm sure many people may be aware of recycled oil being sold as original oil... Lately, there's an influx of traders collecting used oil from mechanics and workshop, and it's known fact that ever since the increase in the fuel prices, the used oil collectors have also increase their buy back prices... from RM35-RM40 per drum of 200 liters to now some paying as much as RM65 for per drum of used oil... wow... even the used oil collectors are paying big bucks for the used oil... makes me wonder where all these used oil goes to...?

Prices are only a guide line to determine the genuinity and authenticity of the engine oil, other factor like the API approval donut symbol also plays an important role... Many say, as long as the engine oil works and the egnine doesn't breakdown, doesn't matter what brand of oil I use....
(a sample of the API donut logo on the oil bottle)

After all, car owners still pay for the oil, the question is why pay for one which is not API approved...?

Short term damage are negligible... but as long as we have the mind set that we will not keep the cars for long, so why use so good quality engine oil...Right...? A car owner here averagely keeps a car for a time span of 4-5 years... Not knowing that during the 4-5 years of maintaining their cars, many car owners have their cars maintained by unscruplous and insincere mechanics out to make fast bucks by selling sub-standard quality and even to the extent of imitation engine oil and spare parts....

So, who's to blame...? The consumers, or the suppliers, or the resellers...?

I'm appalled that in this industry, many unsuspected and even knowlegable car owners are ripped off their wallets in broad daylight... How so one may ask....? Lack of general knowledge and the want-to-know attitude are the main contributors and the key answers...

The initiative and willingness to accept and learn some general knowledge in this oil industry will prove to enhance economically, thrift, value for money and money well spent for the car owners... and perhaps prevent themselves from being "robbed" in broad daylight...

ADNOC lubricants

ADNOC which stands for ABU DHABI NATIONAL OIL COMPANY is based in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is 100% fully imported log, stock and barrel and exclusively distributed in Malaysia by the company I'm working for, AD-LUBE DISTRIBUTIONS SDN BHD. All Adnoc lubricants are API certified and approved while the standards of ADNOC lubricants are internationally acknowledged and exported to over 30+ countries... you can visit this website: http://adnoc-dist.co.ae for more information on the Adnoc lubricants....

Lately, there are more and more car owners who wants to know more about the benefits of the whole engine flush process, and many car owners have come over to our weekend sale in Kepong, which in the first place was intended as a bi-monthly event... but due to overwhelming response, we are practically organising it almost every weekend.....

Please do not be mistaken, we are not a workshop, as some of the car owners have came to experience.... we are a bunch of car enthusiasts, who care for their own cars, and wishes to extend the same care and benefits of preventive maintenance to other car users... (or course this engine flushing process is all done on our own cars first)... We hired qualified mechanics to do the job, while we monitor the whole process.... so, it's all in our own personal interest for car maintenance and yes, it has given our own cars the "old car, new feel..." results...

Thus this is the most cost affordable long term preventive maintenance to restore performance while increasing fuel economy without the needs of expensive modification or repair works in which the ROI (return on investment) could be longer before you realise any savings...

Time and time again, many car owners coming over for the engine flush and feeling the increase in performance immediately after the whole process, actually gives us a smile and job satisfaction... While some car owners have felt the difference and recommend their friends to enjoy the same benefits.... After all, it is a good benefit, why not share it with others....?

The entire group of us are really happy with the results as we see the cars owners leaving satisfied with their smiles while they give us the thumbs up for a job well done...

Personal discretion

The information provided in this blog serves to inform and share the experiences of what the entire group of us, who are car enthusiasts.... Thus there are no whatsoever intention of causing any conflicts...

All pictures shown in this blog are actual events... The concept of engine flushing actually comes a long long way... way back in the 60s and 70s... even before i was born... but during then, the cost and knowledge of the process are not acceptable and not well explained, however, in the current market, more and more car owners are aware of this engine oil flushing process and it is slowly but steadily gaining its acceptance...

I represent myself in this blog and its purely personal basis to share the pictures and information for car enthusiasts on the benefits of engine oil flushing....

There's no intended intention of copying any other party's engine flushing techniques and method...

This is generally the procedure of engine oil flushing method practise by most of the workshops and also DIY enthusiasts...

engine oil care

Many people are drivers. but not many are aware of maintenance procedures... the rule of thumb is prevention is better than cure, after all, the purchase of the car is only once off, but the maintenance process goes as long as you keep the car. So one basic factor of maintaining your car is preventive maintenance...

Engine oil in particular is the life line of the engine, like blood in our body, if it's dirty, it'll affect our health... similarly the engine oil works the same way, luckily the engine oil can be changed, but not our blood....

The engine oil has to perform the following:

1) Lubricate
Vehicle engine lubricants are meant to protect the engine from wearing out and from carbon and other contaminants. They form a slippery film between the moving parts and prevent direct metal-to-metal contact and subsequent wear. In an automobile engine there is continous wear and considerable damage. This may lead to sudden or premature engine seizure. Anti wear additives help the oil to maintain the oil film, ensuring protection.

Dirt enters the oil from different sources such as impurities in the fuel and air. It includes carbon deposits, water, sand and tiny particles of metal. Engine oils are fortified with detergents and dispersant components that clean the engine and keep the dirt suspended in the oil, preventing it from settling on the engine parts. When the oil is drained off, it carries the dirt away with it, leaving the engine clean.

2) Engine oil protects
Engine oils contain components that provide protection to the engine parts.

a) Viscosity and viscosity numbers
Viscosity is the relative thickness of the liquid. Viscosity of the lubricant that is suitable for a particular engine depends on the engine design and ambient temperatures. Normally, low temperature environments require low viscosity lubricants (10W, 20W or 30W) and high temperature environments require high viscosity lubricants (40 & 50)

Alternatively some lubricants contain a viscosity modifier that makes them multigrade lubricants (15W/40, 20W/50, 10W/40 etc) These oils are suitable for all weather and eliminate the need to use different oils in different seasons and climatic conditions

b) Detergents to keep the engine clean
Detergent is a chemical present in the engine oil. It helps neutralise the acids form during combustion and keeps the engine surface clean.

c) Dispersant to suspend dirt
Dispersant is a chemical present in the engine oil to keep the dirt suspended and away from the engine surface and to be drained away in the next oil change interval.

d) Anti-wear additives to prevent engine wear
These components are normally present in the engine oil to help the base oil of the lubricant keep the engine free from friction and wear. It forms a slippery layer on the engine parts and allows moving parts to run smoothly.

e) Anti-corrosion and anti-rust
These are helpful in preventing chemical corrosion and rust. Acids and water are the most dangerous by-products of combustion in an internal combustion engines. They may react with the metallic engine parts and lead to corrosion (chemical attack) and rust. Lubricants contain anti-corrosion and anti-rust components that provide protection to the engine parts and prevent damage.



3) Engine oil cools
Engine parts are exposed to high temperature as a results of combustion and friction. One of the main functions of lubricants is to cool the engine and lower these temperatures. The oil, which is cooled by the radiator in turn, cools the engine parts.

4) Engine oil aids Fuel Economy and Enables easy starts
Engine oil can help reduce fuel consumption by reducing friction. Also, multigrade oils (15W/40, 20W/50) are known to help fuel economy better than monogrades (40, 50). These oils maintain higher viscosity at high temperature as compared to the monogrades. They provide the oil film which in necessary to cover the engine parts and prevent drag and friction which rapes the performance and lower fuel efficiency. At a low temperature, multigrade oils have lower viscosity reducing the power required to operate the engine that results in lower fuel consumption.

5) American Petroleum Institute (API)
API ratings are the most widely used ratings from an independent organisation governing the grades of the oil based on environmental issues and current engine performance and design. Ensure that the oil that are purchased are displayed with the API donut logo to validate the authenticity and genuinity of the oil. There's also this website - http://eolcs.api.org for users to visit when in doubt of a certain oils' certification. One can check as to whether the oils that claimed to have the API ratings are genuinely certified and approved by the API licensing board.



Bottomline is, the right kind of oil assists in cleaning and protecting the engine from deposited dirt, leakage of fuel, water leakage from radiator, and from the lead and sulphur content that forms part of the fuel. The lube also protects the engine from harmful climatic factors such as humidity and dust. When choosing the appropriate lube for your vehicle, it is important to seek professional advise.

Conclusion

Gasoline engine oils are classified under the API and must meet all requirements to receive the certification demonstrated on oil containers.

Motor oils must perform under difficult environments in both low and high temperature conditions.

New environmental regulations will require new types of engine oil formulations.

Emission regulations and fuel economy will require oils to be lighter in weight and to contain different additives to minimize catalyst damage.

Basestock improvements and new additive technology will be needed to meet future stringent environmental regulations.

Lube basestock and additive suppliers have met the challenge and will continue to do so.

engine flushing cost

As for costing, there will be an engine oil package that comes with the flush... per bottle of Adnoc 20W/50 for flushing cost RM40... for two bottles, you will get 1 unit of oil filter free... we calculate based on bottles of oil and not on flushing cycles.... and for RM40 per bottle, there is free labour charge....

we wud first determine the condition of the engine oil before we recommend the flushing process... so not necessary all engines require a flush, however from our 2 weekend experiences, we have found out that almost all the cars that were here actually needed the flush...

and due to overwhelming response, we are organising it again this weekend on the 27th (1pm - 6pm) and 28th May (9am -6pm)... please ignore the dates on the attached brochure... so probably to those who have gone to the KLIMS '06 and wants to know more, you are cordially invited to come over...

we are also doing a friend get friend promotion, if you bring 3 friends to come over and purchase the package with engine flush, you will get a bottle of Adnoc lube absolutely free as a token of appreciation....

daihatsu owner awaiting engine flushing process

This owner waited patiently for his Daihatsu van going thru the engine flushing process and the grounding kit installation....

He actually came earlier with his wife, asked for explanation on the process, said he will consider and went back, however after 20 mins, he came back and said let's do the flush and the grounding kit.... the van required 4 cycles of flushing before it was cleared, and final fill was with Adnoc Special 10W/30 Mineral oil....
so he waited patiently for almost 60 mins, after all was done, he paid and left....

suddenly, after about 20 minutes later, we saw the van coming back into our warehouse compound and all of us was thinking.... "shit, problem with the van....!!!" we were anxious as the wife was in the van with the husband.... then she got down the van and started asking us what we did with the van..... it was so much lighter and smoother and practically was saying positive remarks....

in fact the van is used to ferry school going children and she was amazed that the little one hour restored the smoothness and performance of the 10 years + van.... without modification and repair works and ultimately, at a very affordable cost....

engine flush

Engine flushing is being practise by lots of mechanics, however it is rarely done in these part of the world.... During our weekend sale for the past two weeks, we have met up with many car owners wanitng to know more about what we were doing, eventually, we convinced and proved that engine flushing does restore the performance to the engine, the feeling of "old car, new feel...."

And most of the car owners were surprised at what an hour of waiting can do to restore the performance immediately....

Attached are some photos taken during the weekend sale on the results of the engine flushing, some cars needed only 2 flushes, some more than 2 depending on the condition of the engine oil... however our policy is to flush until the color of the oil that is drained out is the same color of the oil that is being poured in....