In a recent series of successful experiments at PSI and ISIS we were able to demonstrate the possibility of measuring the rate of transfer of a small molecule (allyl alcohol) through a model membrane (a surfactant layer in a microemulsion between water and heptane) using muon spectroscopies. The present application is to explore the possibility of applying this new approach to an industrially important problem concerning molecular interactions in lubricant systems. Two important additives to oil are alkyl salicylate-stabilised carbonate nanoparticles and a polymeric dispersant surfactant (namely polyisobutylene succinic anhydride, PIBSA). The synergy between these two surfactants is important to the functioning of the oil and is a problem that is, not accessible to other techniques but likely to be sovable using muon spectroscopies.