API invokes provisional licensing for API CK-4 and API FA-4

The American Petroleum Institute (API) announced that it has invoked provisional licensing for API CK-4 and FA-4 due to the unavailability of any ASTM D8047 (COAT) test stand that can be used to qualify oils against the API CK-4 and FA-4 standards.

The ASTM Caterpillar C13 Oil Aeration Test (COAT) measures the ability of a diesel engine oil to prevent aeration.

Having been notified by the ASTM COAT Surveillance Panel chair, the API’s Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS) has invoked provisional licensing in accordance with paragraph 6.7 of API 1509, API’s Senior Manager for Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System Kevin Ferrick announced.

API CK-4 and API FA-4 were developed to better protect new and older engines, improve engine oil performance, and help engine manufacturers meet 2017 U.S. federal government emissions standards. API licensing of API CK-4 and API FA-4 began on 1 December 2016. API CK-4 provided a number of improvements over API CJ-4, including improved shear stability, oxidation resistance and aeration control, while also being backward compatible. API FA-4 is only intended for use in newer on-highway diesel engines, with limited or no backward compatibility with on and off-highway diesel engines where engine manufacturers recommended API CJ-4.

Oil marketers may request for provisional licensing only if they need to run the COAT test to qualify a formulation against the API CK-4 or API FA-4 standard. The licensee still needs to score a pass on the other test requirements for API CK-4 or API FA-4. Engine oils granted an API provisional license will be listed in API’s Directory of Licensees without any special designation.

Once API has received notification from ASTM that the COAT test is once again available for candidate testing, the licensee has up to six months from the date it is notified by API to get a passing COAT result. If the licensee fails to send a confirmation of testing by the end of the six-month period, API will cancel the provisional license for that formulation.