In a recent test by China Consumer Report magazine, Kunlun Tianyuan engine oil caused more engine-clogging deposits than four other leading synthetic motor oils sold in China. The Kunlun oil was the only one that did not meet industry-standard requirements.
China Consumer Report (CCP) reported the results on its website Jan. 6. The magazine, published by Guangzhou-based Times Media, also tested Mobil 1, which is manufactured by U.S.-based ExxonMobil, Helix Ultra from British-Dutch Shell, Castrol Edge from U.K.-based BP, and Great Wall Justar from Chinas Sinopec.
According to CCP, the TEOST MHT, a bench test measuring deposits that oil forms in high temperature, showed that 200 milliliters of Mobil 1 SN/SM 0W-40 formed only 9.3 milligrams of deposits, compared with 62.4 mg from the same volume of Kunlun Tianyuan SM 5W-30. A Helix Ultra SN/CF 5W-40 formed 31.5 mg of deposits, Castrol Edge SN 5W-40 39.4 mg and Great Wall Justar SN/CF 5W-40 44.4 mg.
The API SM and SN specifications both allow a maximum 35 mg of high temperature deposits in the TEOST test for 0W-20, 0W-30, 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 oils. Both specs allow up to 45 mg of deposits for 5W-40 and other grades of oil.
CNPC, owner of the Kunlun brand, responded to the article by issuing a statement saying two previous TEOST MHT tests run by other labs resulted in Kunlun Tianyuan forming 29.8 mg of deposits in 2013 and 26.5 mg in 2012.
CNPC also posted an article on its own website two days after the report, insisting Kunlun Tianyuan is a high quality engine oil complying with SM requirements.
During years of practices, Kunlun engine oils have been approved by many renowned automakers, including BMW, Benz, Volvo, Volkswagen and GM. We test [the] quality of all Kunlun oils once a year to ensure [their] quality. the company stated.
Castrol disputed CCPs use of the TEOST MHT, maintaining that the Sequence VG engine test is a much more thorough gauge of an oils ability to fight sludge and cleanse an engine.