[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

RE: Oil and Additives

I saw this posting on the Jensen digest and forwarded it on for your enjoyment!

Rgds

Paul Retlewski


>Return-Path: <[email protected]>
>X-Sender: [email protected]
>Date: Thu, 19 Sep 1996 20:18:48 -0700
>To: [email protected]
>From: "BAHR, PETE" <[email protected]>
>Subject: RE: Oil and Additives
>
>Tom,
>I forward this response from my son, an engineer at a  ball bearing company.
>Pete
><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>Dad,
>Although I am no lubrication expert by any stretch of the imagination
> (being a ball bearing engineer and all), I do have what I believe to be a
> fairly competent level of knowledge regarding the field.  I don't have
> Tom Porter's address, so could you forward this to him.
> Here goes:
> Purely synthetic oils such as Mobil 1 (blend of synthesized hydrocarbon
> fluids (SHF) and organic esters) are excellent combustion engine
> lubricants.  There is no question regarding their ability to properly
> lubricate an engine, and their claim to hold viscosity longer and handle
> larger loads (i.e.: higher rpm's) is true as far as I can tell.  The real
> issue is the need for this type of lubricant.  The simple fact that the
> viscosity will stay intact for longer periods of time does not warrant the
> need for high priced synthetic oils.  THE SIMPLE FACT REMAINS:  INTERNAL
> COMBUSTION ENGINES PRODUCE ALOT OF "CRAP", SO JUST CHANGE THE OIL ALOT.
> This is especially true in big V-8's and other large engines.  The carbons
> and other by-products of combustion collect on the side walls of the
> engine and usually remain there.  When starting fresh with a new engine,
> definitely use an oil (mineral or synthetic) with a detergent additive
> (Mobil 1 has a detergent already in it), and you will have a constant
> "flushing" of the above mentioned "crap".  An old engine with many miles
> will likely suffer from an oil with a detergent additive in it because it
> will "clean" the walls of the engine and you will end up creating an
> excessive amount of engine-destroying dirt and grime that may as well stay
> on the walls of the engine (they aren't hurting anything by being there,
> just ask your 300K mile station wagon).
> Synthetic oils are not regular mineral oils with additives in them.  There
> are standard oils with additives for extreme pressure (in bearings, we
> recommend this alot, but I don't know how they would perform in engines),
> and other things.  Synthetics are manufactured in a laboratory, so they
> require special additives to reduce oxidation, retain viscosity, retain
> particle size, ensure compatibility with mineral oils, and about a million
> other things.
> So, how do I conclude this incessant rambling, you ask?  I offer you this:
>  use the synthetic for a rebuilt Interceptor, it wont hurt a thing and
> will perform well when your are screaming down Rt. 66 at 120mph.  Don't
> use a detergent containing oil for your old, high mileage Interceptor, it
> will hurt it more than help it.  Change your oil frequently, especially in
> high rpm engines, or in engines that sit in the garage collecting dust
> alot (when sitting, the oil will indeed separate).  If you are going to
> buy the additive for the synthetic oil, you are likely wasting your money.
>  Synthetics typically have all the additives your engine will need.  Find
>out what the separate "for synthetic oils only" additives provide, besides
> high price tags.  One final note, I have used Slick 50, and I have heard
> many debates on whether it works or not, I believe that old cars benefit
> from the PTFE additives, whereas a new / rebuilt engine doesn't need
> Teflon to keep running.  Use Mobil 1 (Conventional mineral oils may be
> added to Mobil 1, but it will reduce the effectiveness of Mobil 1).  Plain
> and Simple, and don't mix it with any other synthetics.
>
> Best of luck,
> Mat Bahr
><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>From: (Tom Porter)
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Oil and Attitives
>Date: Wednesday, August 28, 1996 3:19PM
>
>Are there any oil experts out there.  I was all set to fill my rebuilt
>engine ,trans , and differential with synthetic Oil, when all was back
>together.  With my very limited knowledge of oil , I thought that synthetic
>was the equivalent of regular oil with an additive added.  Then looking at
>the oil section in my local store I found there is also an additive for the
>synthetic oil, and at double the price of regular additive.  So now I am
>asking myself ,  am I just falling once again for high priced advertising,
>or are there real advantages to doubling the cost with every oil change .
> We
>have a 1989 Ford Crown Victoria in the family with over 300k it has never
>heard of synthetic oil and will probably run for another 300k .  It is
>douptfull if I will add 20k to my Interceptor in the next ten years.
> ---------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>