Juri Sudheimer on Engine Oil Life: How External Factors Influence Engine Protection

The question of engine oil longevity concerns every vehicle owner. Many believe that a high-quality oil is, by itself, a guaranteed protection for the entire service interval. But is this really true?

“Over more than 30 years in the lubricants industry, I have witnessed thousands of cases of premature engine failure,” says Juri Sudheimer, founder of SCT Group and owner of production facilities in Klaipeda (Lithuania) and Dubai (UAE). “And in the overwhelming majority of cases, the problem was not the quality of the oil, but the conditions in which it was used. Even the most advanced oil under the MANNOL, PEMCO, CHEMPIOIL or FANFARO brands must be protected from external factors.”

Today, SCT Group products are supplied to more than 160 countries—from the Arctic regions of Scandinavia to the scorching deserts of the Middle East. And in every region, oil faces its own unique challenges.

For some reason, most drivers believe that once they fill their engine with a good, high-quality oil, it will protect the engine throughout the service interval regardless of external conditions.

The answer is simple: no, it won’t.

Oil is not a magic solution. It requires protection from numerous external factors—many of which we have discussed before, but here we will look at them more closely. Even the most advanced, premium oil can be quickly “killed,” and with it the engine itself, if the operating conditions are ignored.

 

Dust and a Clogged Air Filter: A Chain Reaction of Damage

Consider what happens when you drive in a dusty environment or a city with high levels of airborne particles. What happens to the engine oil?

This is exactly what occurs:

• The air filter becomes clogged.
• Air supply to the fuel system decreases.
• Combustion becomes incomplete due to a lack of oxygen.
• Unburned fuel begins to wash down the cylinder walls into the crankcase.

While some fuel will evaporate, a large amount mixes with the oil, dramatically diluting it. No matter how high-quality the oil is—even the best in the world—its viscosity will drop, and it may completely lose its lubricating properties.

What does this lead to?

• Loss of viscosity → loss of lubrication → accelerated wear of friction surfaces → cylinder scoring → possible engine seizure → major engine repair or replacement
• Drop in oil pressure, warning light activation
• Reduced engine power, higher fuel consumption, loss of vehicle dynamics
• Engine noise, stalling, thick grey smoke with an odor of unburned fuel

In addition to increased wear, diluted oil penetrates the combustion chamber through valves or piston rings and burns, forming carbon deposits. This leads to:

• Oil consumption (“oil burning”)
• Stuck piston rings → further increase in oil consumption
• Deposits on valves → increased exhaust emissions and fuel consumption
• Deposits on injectors → poor fuel atomization → worsening engine performance

 

All of this is likely to end poorly for the engine.

What should you do?
The answer is simple: monitor the condition of your air filter.

• If you frequently drive on dusty roads—replace it more often.
• If you encountered a sandstorm—replace the air filter immediately.

A filter replacement is far cheaper than an engine rebuild.

 

SCT’s Philosophy: Filtration as a Core of Engine Protection

Understanding the importance of proper filtration has been embedded in SCT Group’s manufacturing philosophy from the beginning.

“We don’t just produce oils and filters—we create integrated engine protection solutions,” explains Juri Sudheimer. “Our plants in Klaipeda and Dubai are equipped with modern laboratories where each component undergoes multi-stage testing.”

SCT Solutions for Dust Protection

SCT Group offers a wide range of air filters that will not let you down in dusty environments. Popular models include:

SB 2434, SB 2508, SB 2462, SB 2487, SB 2214, SB 2218

You can select the correct filter for your vehicle at: sct-catalogue.de

 

Water: The Most Dangerous Enemy of Oil and Engines

Car owners living in coastal regions with high humidity must be especially cautious. Ingress of saltwater vapor into engine oil causes severe corrosion and component damage, transforming the oil into a sludge-like mixture capable of clogging oil passages, disrupting lubrication, and causing overheating.

Without proper lubrication, engines suffer:

• bearing failure,
• piston ring damage,
• cracked cylinder liners,
• and ultimately, catastrophic engine failure.

The root cause is, of course, saltwater, not salt itself. Both fresh and saltwater form an emulsion with motor oil. Since oil and water mix poorly, the crankcase develops a milky deposit visible on the dipstick.

Saltwater is particularly aggressive and can corrode even some stainless-steel components.

If you suspect water contamination:

1. Check the dipstick for a milky film—a key indicator of water in the oil.
2. Visit a mechanic to inspect the engine and check for coolant leaks or pressure loss.
3. Replace the oil and oil filter and flush the entire system to remove the aggressive mixture.

 

Experience Operating in Coastal Regions

The SCT Chemicals FZE plant in Dubai, launched in February 2022, is located in a region with extremely high humidity.

“Our 188 employees work daily under conditions where humidity can reach critical levels,” says Juri Sudheimer. “This has given us unique expertise in developing oils and additives resistant to moisture.”

The plant is equipped with 101 storage tanks and 6 blending units, enabling production of up to 140,000 tons of lubricants per year. Every batch undergoes testing for:

• emulsion stability
• corrosion activity

Standards are confirmed by ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO/IEC 17025.

To flush the oil system, you may use MN1102 Flushing Oil.
If contamination is mild, the best option is flushing with the same Mannol oil you plan to use afterward. The correct oil can be selected using SCTApprovalControl, where viscosity grades, API, ACEA, and OEM specifications can be matched. The most reliable source remains your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

For heavy contamination, use:
MANNOL Motor Decoker 9959 or MANNOL Motor Flush Professional 9009.

 

SCT Oil Filters: Reliable Protection

SCT offers a wide range of oil filters, including:

SH 425 P, SH 4031 P, SM 121, SM 106, SM 5085

Water in oil also destroys zinc-containing additives, producing a characteristic white zinc oxide precipitate. If the oil contains esters, water breaks them down into alcohol and acid, lowering the Total Base Number (TBN) and accelerating corrosion.

Another serious issue is the reaction between calcium sulfonate (a detergent additive) and ethylene glycol (coolant). This produces tiny abrasive beads—5 to 40 microns—the same size as the oil film thickness. These beads act as micro-abrasives between engine components, causing severe wear and eventual engine failure.

To seal cooling systems in case of leaks, SCT recommends:
MANNOL Cooling System Quick Repair 9875
MANNOL Radiator Leak-Stop 9966

In countries where fuel quality is unstable and sulfur content is high, oil degradation risk increases. Combustion of sulfur-rich fuel in the presence of moisture forms sulfuric acid, which neutralizes detergent additives, reduces TBN, and prevents the oil from combating deposits.

For prevention and preservation of detergent capacity, SCT offers new, unmatched products:
MANNOL TBN Booster Low SAPS 9933
MANNOL TBN Booster 9941

High Loads and Temperature: Destruction of the Viscosity Modifier

Viscosity modifiers are large, complex molecules. High temperatures and extreme mechanical loads cause them to break down. Under severe operating conditions, the molecule can be mechanically “crushed,” while overheating leads to thermal cracking of the oil and decomposition of its components.

When the viscosity modifier breaks down:

• the oil film becomes unstable,
• engine wear increases,
• oil life decreases,
• and early replacement becomes necessary.

Aggressive driving, high-speed operation, and engine overload significantly accelerate this process.

Summary: Oil Life Depends on Proper Operating Conditions

If operating conditions are ignored, if the engine is not monitored, and fluids and filters are not replaced on time, even the most advanced motor oil will quickly lose its properties. If it is not replaced promptly, a costly engine repair is likely to follow.

 

SCT Group’s Comprehensive Approach to Engine Protection

“Our philosophy is simple: oil is not just a product—it is a protection system that works only when all operating conditions are observed,” summarizes Juri Sudheimer. “We have invested more than €90 million in production since 2004, and €3 million in R&D in 2024 alone. But even the most advanced technologies cannot help if a driver ignores basic maintenance.”

SCT Group’s production capacity exceeds 1 million liters per day, and total tank storage exceeds 60 million liters. Products under the MANNOL, PEMCO, CHEMPIOIL and FANFARO brands undergo three-stage quality control at the Klaipeda and Dubai plants. Yet the final result always depends on how responsibly the vehicle owner maintains their car.

Oil life is not just a product characteristic—it is the outcome of proper operation.
Timely filter changes, monitoring the cooling system, using high-quality fuel, and reasonable driving habits enable engine oil to perform at full strength throughout the entire service interval.