Recycled engine oil or fake?

[youpapalite]

Went for a servicing promotion at a certain workshop.

Too cheap to be true... Brand 'X' fully syn 5w40 selling at $110 and above at most workshops. But selling at only $35 nett at this workshop inclusive of oil filter. which means.. $15 for labour and $8 for oil fiter = $12 for 4 litre of engine oil fully syn (Brand 'X' is quite a known brand).

Went to try thinking "how bad could it be?".

So head down after making an appt, standard checks were done, oil drained etc etc. Then comes the part when they fill my oil. Suddenly the mechanic took out a very dirty opened engine oil bottle. So my first instinct was to stop him and asked him what was that? And there wasn't any 'Brand X' label on the bottle.

He told me 'Brand X' was drawn from an oil drum through a pump and showed me where it was. The oil drum showed 'Brand X' but there wasn't any label on it. Just handwritten with a marker 5w40. So he told me he pumped out the oil from the oil drum to the spare bottle and fill it for me through the spare bottle.

So i thought to myself, maybe it's a cost saving method. Fine with me. So i asked him, is it because it comes without the fancy packaging that's why its so cheap? Nope. he told me its a same as the main series except with lousier quality. Also, he said and i quote "So far no one complain."

 

Right then i felt very uncomfortable with his reply so i went back home to google the distributor's number and called them asking if this practice is standard among workshops. Do they produce lousier quality oil of the same series in bulk?

The convo between me and the distributor will be kept private. But they said they will investigate the matter.

 

Just for your info, i am not complaining on the workshop hoping they get into trouble or whatever, my main intention for calling the distributor is to check if they are selling the oils by the barrel and that this oil is legit from Brand 'X'. Also, what rating and series is the oil in the barrel so that i can plan my next servicing. Thats all. and i am not asking for a refund etc. Just a peace of mind.

The above is to let you know more about the situation so you can give your views.

 

My question here is, are there recycled or fake engine oil circulating around? What do u think could be inside the oil barrel? Could it be cheap oil using Brand 'X' name as the cover? Anyone had similar experience mind sharing?

 

On a fair note, the engine wasn't rough and it felt normal. Colour of the oil was a tad lighter but similar to all the normal engine oil.

Note: It is very very unlikely (though not impossible) that they are running some super promotion. 1) They are not advertising the promotion openly at their shop and fb page. 2) my convo with the distributor strongly suggest so unless they decide to do some 'charity' work.

Edited June 14, 2015 by Lightsabre

[Kippei]

Usually they will bulk drum. But not sure what is the quality.

[azaouogh]

Hmmm.. interesting.. I suggest monitor closely your engine and check the eo when your engine is cold enough

[Furrynadz]

you should

 

1) go to a proper workshop and use only genuine engine oil , sealed in bottle , certain brand like castrol have hologram seal, no have= fake

2) name the w/s so that other dont get con, there are already some that advertise and actually is not the product and still dare try silence people and threaten legal action

 

high chance the oil inside is some mineral oil, u are better off buying cocklube from ntuc

Edited June 8, 2015 by Furrynadz

[Baal]

Thats like 3 bucks per litre. Cooking oil cost more. If me, i will go another ws really soon n get it changed. But keep the drained eo n pass some to the distributor for them to chk out.

 

Was there some post in the cl or schnell thread mentioning the various viscosity of various cooking oils.?

[Shibadog]

I guess the only way to find out is for the distributor to take a sample fm the drum for lab test. Or, perhaps take a sample from your engine.

 

I do know of a workshop that also used oil frm drum, so as to save costs. Their service package is abt $80-90. This was 3-4 years ago. Not sure about now. They had two types to choose from, 40 weight and 50.

 

if really bugging you, just change at half the normal oil change interval.

 

btw, a workshop recently had a SG50 promo - $0.50 (yes, 50 cents) for 4L oil change, with oil filter. My friend went for it. During the service, the workshop did a very thorough inspection to find other parts to service/change. However, my friend only paid $0.50 for the final invoice. I should ask him if the oil came fm normal bottles or the oil drum lol.

Edited June 8, 2015 by JohnSHL

[Kb27]

Buying by barrels is much cheaper for the workshop than 4L pack.

However, they don't normally give you much discount.

And usually the barrel has more or less the same label.

 

Long time ago I went for the free servicing at Komoco Changi, which has since closed.

 

I walk around to the back and saw the barrels properly labelled.

 

They still charge you charge $100+ for a Shell synthetic oil, even if it comes out of a barrel.

[Glyuen]

oil from barrel is common and ok, just make sure u go to reputable ws and not some shady ws.

 

this practice of using recycled oil is common in ws across the border a few years back.

 

btw Autobacs also does servicing using castrol oil from a drum.

 

if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

 

 

[youpapalite]

I have replaced the engine oil on the same day. Save myself from worrying. But end up spending more lol.


Yes. I understand that it may be cheaper to get the oil from the barrel. and it didn't bother me. Which is why i asked the mechanic there if that was the case. But his reply was... "No, this oil is of a lousier quality but still good. So far no complains." The distributor quoted that they only produce one type of oil. No lousier quality for bulk purchase. Example >>> Series 1 = Series 1. There are no Series 1.1 or even 1.2. lol.

This i think i can share with u guys, a sub distributor told me over the phone that the price for the servicing is even lesser than his cost (i called the company, their distributor and their sub distributor. total speaking to 4 different person about this matter. And all agree with me that the pricing is quite impossible.)

Also, they do not openly advertise this promotion. Only through a certain website. Funny thing is, on their fb page, Brand 'X' servicing cost $148 as they claimed their supplier up cost etc. So i not sure how come they can come up with the $35 servicing for Brand 'X'.

Reason why i am not posting the workshop name and brand of the engine oil is because they are investigating (although i am quite sure nothing will come out of it). Also, this is just my observation and thought. I may be wrong about it and i do not wish to create problems for them (who knows the boss really doing charity).

Lastly, i have no sample of the engine oil left (big mistake). Receipt is still with me though. Drove for around 30-40km and got it replaced (changed at lunch, replaced it during dinner). When the oil was drained, it was black already btw (Not sure if it's normal as i have never replace my engine oil in this short period of time).

Recycled oil seems like not possible as it's not black in colour before they poured it in.

Likely fake or some cha pa lang brand but hidden inside the barrel of Brand 'X'? Likely?

[Furrynadz]

u can watch oil change scam videos in youtube, many such stunts

or the infamous switch-a-roo parts trick at some workshops here that specialise in a certain brand of cars (example vw) , many same brand coming in = good opportunity for changing problematic parts at nothing but labour cost...u go in with 1 problem and leave with more , then u wish u had labelled your entire engine bay

Edited June 8, 2015 by Furrynadz

[Kangadrool]

oil from drum is ok except the problem lies with poor handling, e.g. not covering up properly after taking/pumping out the oil, contamination when swopping pump from drum to another or pump contaminated with dirt/sands/etc etc., receptacle used may be unclean and contain traces of other oil.....

 

Also, turnaround must be fast. Otherwise, yew also "lao hong".

Edited June 9, 2015 by Kangadrool

[GLZT]

I have replaced the engine oil on the same day. Save myself from worrying. But end up spending more lol.

 

 

Yes. I understand that it may be cheaper to get the oil from the barrel. and it didn't bother me. Which is why i asked the mechanic there if that was the case. But his reply was... "No, this oil is of a lousier quality but still good. So far no complains." The distributor quoted that they only produce one type of oil. No lousier quality for bulk purchase. Example >>> Series 1 = Series 1. There are no Series 1.1 or even 1.2. lol.

 

This i think i can share with u guys, a sub distributor told me over the phone that the price for the servicing is even lesser than his cost (i called the company, their distributor and their sub distributor. total speaking to 4 different person about this matter. And all agree with me that the pricing is quite impossible.)

Also, they do not openly advertise this promotion. Only through a certain website. Funny thing is, on their fb page, Brand 'X' servicing cost $148 as they claimed their supplier up cost etc. So i not sure how come they can come up with the $35 servicing for Brand 'X'.

 

Reason why i am not posting the workshop name and brand of the engine oil is because they are investigating (although i am quite sure nothing will come out of it). Also, this is just my observation and thought. I may be wrong about it and i do not wish to create problems for them (who knows the boss really doing charity).

 

Lastly, i have no sample of the engine oil left (big mistake). Receipt is still with me though. Drove for around 30-40km and got it replaced (changed at lunch, replaced it during dinner). When the oil was drained, it was black already btw (Not sure if it's normal as i have never replace my engine oil in this short period of time).

 

Recycled oil seems like not possible as it's not black in colour before they poured it in.

 

Likely fake or some cha pa lang brand but hidden inside the barrel of Brand 'X'? Likely?

 

So fast black?! Like how black? My car after running 10k also not very black. Still can see yellowish with black particles.

[samfreak]

If you consider prevailing price of Gp 3 basestock, typical 5W40 SN adpack, drum cost + overheads/margins/commission/logistics cost, $12/4ltr is impossible ..... so yes, it is fake/recycled stuff they poured in your car. Glad you've drained it. Any problem will not show up overnight - unless using say, an inferior/wrong ATF (in which case the car may not even make it out of the hoist!). It will take time for degradation/damage to set in. And when it does, you are left inconvenienced and poorer (but richer for the experience).

 

At such smaller workshops, always use lube oil from a bottle - never a drum unless you're driving a commercial vehicle. Cannot compare with ADs, Autobacs etc - they have volume and they have 'forced' some poor brand owner to invest in their fluid dispensing system - so they will need drums or even isotank delivery. They have a reputation to uphold too.

So fast black?! Like how black? My car after running 10k also not very black. Still can see yellowish with black particles.

If you can see black particles in your oil, it may mean your filter needs to be replaced. Its not doing its job of catching and holding these contaminants.

[GLZT]

If you consider prevailing price of Gp 3 basestock, typical 5W40 SN adpack, drum cost + overheads/margins/commission/logistics cost, $12/4ltr is impossible ..... so yes, it is fake/recycled stuff they poured in your car. Glad you've drained it. Any problem will not show up overnight - unless using say, an inferior/wrong ATF (in which case the car may not even make it out of the hoist!). It will take time for degradation/damage to set in. And when it does, you are left inconvenienced and poorer (but richer for the experience).

 

At such smaller workshops, always use lube oil from a bottle - never a drum unless you're driving a commercial vehicle. Cannot compare with ADs, Autobacs etc - they have volume and they have 'forced' some poor brand owner to invest in their fluid dispensing system - so they will need drums or even isotank delivery. They have a reputation to uphold too.

If you can see black particles in your oil, it may mean your filter needs to be replaced. Its not doing its job of catching and holding these contaminants.

 

You do know that when your engine oil turn black, its cause of the "particles" right? It cant really be seen with the naked eye. Anyway I just serviced my car, cheers!

[Sabian]

you should

 

1) go to a proper workshop and use only genuine engine oil , sealed in bottle , certain brand like castrol have hologram seal, no have= fake

2) name the w/s so that other dont get con, there are already some that advertise and actually is not the product and still dare try silence people and threaten legal action

 

high chance the oil inside is some mineral oil, u are better off buying cocklube from ntuc

 

wait someone really buy ky from ntuc and use and then cum and complain

[Furrynadz]

 

wait someone really buy ky from ntuc and use and then cum and complain

I think KY can stand up to the test, after all it's tried and tested in hot, humid, moist and severe rpm conditions by our erm... More adventurous gay friends

 

Furthermore engine oil only up against three cleaners with mop and techron, KY need to stand against 1st commando battallion

Edited June 9, 2015 by Furrynadz

[samfreak]

 

You do know that when your engine oil turn black, its cause of the "particles" right? It cant really be seen with the naked eye. Anyway I just serviced my car, cheers!

Oh, you mentioned earlier you "Still can see yellowish with black particles."

So I thought the filter needs replacement.

 

Particles will contribute to lube oil turning dark. If its black, I'd worry. But there are other factors/variables: oxidation, fuel etc. The only way to find out for sure is to do used oil analysis. Just use a mainstream/reputable lube oil and follow the vehicle recommended servicing schedule. Also, use a proper oil filter! Too often, people pay top dollars for a great lube oil that will last > 10,000km but the workshop drops in a cheapo oil filter that gets clogged up in 3,000km (or worse, does not even perform).

 

Cheers!

[GLZT]

Oh, you mentioned earlier you "Still can see yellowish with black particles."

So I thought the filter needs replacement.

 

Particles will contribute to lube oil turning dark. If its black, I'd worry. But there are other factors/variables: oxidation, fuel etc. The only way to find out for sure is to do used oil analysis. Just use a mainstream/reputable lube oil and follow the vehicle recommended servicing schedule. Also, use a proper oil filter! Too often, people pay top dollars for a great lube oil that will last > 10,000km but the workshop drops in a cheapo oil filter that gets clogged up in 3,000km (or worse, does not even perform).

 

Cheers!

I see, anyway my car still servicing at AD cause got service credit. I see some commercial vehicle the engine oil super black, leaking on the floor some more.