IDIA ENGINE TEST The oil sample is evaluated based on laboratory tests to determine the condition of the vehicle system
German engine-condition test company MOTORcheckUP has launched an engine and transmission oil, power steering and brake fluid test system locally that helps users to determine the particles present in the fluids to diagnose any potential problems, says MOTORcheckUP South Africa director William Klingenburg.
The test is used as a ‘blood test’ for engine lubricants to evaluate the condition of the oil, as well as the water, fuel and soot content to profile the condition of the system.
“Any industry that uses engine oils, transmission oils, power-steering fluids and brake fluids should be interested in the product,” he says.
The test involves placing a sample of the fluid onto specially designed test paper. This is then left to cure for about six hours, after which it is evaluated against a MOTORcheckUP colouration matrix to determine the condition of the vehicle system. The sample colours were determined through exhaustive laboratory tests and matched against performance and wear of a system.
This test can also be done digitally using the new MOTORcheckUP iDiA device. Users, whether at home or a vehicle service station, upload an image of the cured test paper, along with vehicle information and specifications. The device then produces a diagnosis of the fluid, which, in turn, provides information for the owner or service technician, who can then conduct preventive maintenance, if required.
The user receives the test result in the form of a portable document format, or PDF, over the Internet.
The evaluation software was honed on thousands of oil samples and practical cases, which were analysed in special laboratories. Based on these laboratory results, the intelligent software recognises the colours and structures of the tests, and evaluates them based on the scientific investigations.