admincomplaints received from some readers on the quality of these products hence requested that we verify them.
We believe that the colour of engine oil should be brown/brownish, or gold/golden in this case it was greenish, if you squeezed it between your two fingers it was sticky and yet it should be slippery or jelly like “kutsvedzerera”.
The usual smell of oil was not there, but it emitted acid like or brake fluid smell.
The physical analysis showed that it was more of gear oil than engine oil. In addition, the sticker on the oil container contained sub standard information. The Standards Association of Zimbabwe stipulates and requires the following markings to appear on each container: the manufacturer’s identification, in our case, Obel.
There is no manufacturer’s identity other than manufactured in UAE; in case of Obel the address being 1 Auckland Road, Southerton, Harare. In this case there was an email address so how do you visit that physically?
There should be a description of the product, the product was stated as an engine oil for a diesel engine and yet it was gear oil.
There should be a grade for the product, in this case the grade is shown as SAE40, a French formula. This is incorrect as we are now globalised and should quote the relevant API standards which starts with the four-letter word, e.g. API SL/CF as an example, but in this case the marking on the container were written “CD/SF”. If this was a correctly blended or manufactured product it should always be presented as “SF/CD” and not “CD/SF”.
This means the first letter relates to petrol engines, the second letter is the performance grade starting at “A” being obsolete engines up to letter” L” which is currently used in Zimbabwe.
Globally nations are slowly moving into the performance grade “N”, which is the highest, third letter denotes that it can also be used in diesel engine and the last or the fourth again being the performance level.
The numbering is wrong and confirms that this is a cheap product. This is not correct as it is in 80W90 ranges for gear oil hence misinforming the public, the quantity is correctly indicated and no batch identifications.
These are common things that one should look for on a container. The laboratory tests rejected the claims of being engine oil.
The standard test was done at 100 DC which is the accepted test standards which matched that of possible gear oil and not engine oil or could match any other thick oil and definitely not an SAE 40, therefore could not be classified as diesel or petrol engine oil.
Let’s meet again for more Obel titbits but always consult your handbook as we are merely complementing such information.
l Contact us through G. Mbeya on 0774 215 505. PROUDLY ZIMBABWEAN.
The other area of concern being viscosity improvers (V1) which are additives that are added to cater for changes in temperature such that if it is very thick at low temperatures and then at high temperatures.
It is referred to as having a low viscosity index and general range being 95-110.
In this case it was 153 well beyond the accepted range for diesel and petrol engine oils and way off target.
We concluded that there was no formulations or specification made to make this oil but a quick fix and there were no additives to identity it to either gear or diesel engine oil either.
Flash point is simply being a point at which oil burns and the generalised range being 230DC-3000 DC and yet this one was 192 DC.
This will increase the chances of the of the vehicle burning or catching fire easily as the engine temperature is way below the limit of this oil hence dangerous.
There were no elements or additives such as calcium for Mazda BT-50 as an example should be 2300 ppm (parts per million) being minimum and 3300 ppm maximum and yet was 87ppm.
You do not need to be a lubrication engineer to appreciate that there is a problem here.
Playing with the standard ranges in comparison with the actual, zinc should be between 900-1100 ppm although lately the latest cars are at 800 ppm but in this case it was 15 ppm.
Usually Zinc is linked to phosphate and have the same readings and the actual figures were zero.
Therefore this oil we believe could be suitable for manual transmission and axles where extreme pressure oils are not necessary and suitable for worn axles and yet are meant for use in the engine with extreme pressure.
This is just a disaster and yet these are allowed into the country without due regard to the users and the disaster that is caused.
I hope it is matter of time before the Petroleum Authority Board is established which will regulate all such practices and we hope this will be a thing of the past.
We would like to recognise Mr Manyika of Twenty Third Century Computers for celebrating 15 years of existence, we have fond memories for him.
In their third year of operation when they tried to introduce computers to me I resented and I said I don’t want that I am happy using manual systems.
For about two years I ignored that until he further persuaded that I engage myself. In a small way I am now computer literate thanks to you Mr Manyika.
Lets meet again for more Obel tit bits but always consult your handbook as we merely complimenting such information. Contact us through G.Mbeya on 0774 215 505 PROUDLY ZIMBABWEAN.
Online Reporter