RE: IML: How about Synthetic oils? (Ken Lang's question)

["Ken Lang" <ken@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A great 'first-post' David.

Something that has always puzzled me (your mention of it flagged a reminder)
is the theory that synthetic oils can go longer between oil changes than
conventional oil.  The reason we change our oil is because it gets
contaminated with dirt.  When using synthetic oils I still follow the same
change intervals as I would with regular oil.  My limited knowledge and
logical thinking process tell me that synthetic oil is not immune to dirt.

Forty plus years ago I learned from my Dad to include additives during each
regular oil change.  Each oil change would get 1/3 can of Rislone and 1/2
can of STP.  I've never failed to get well over 100k miles out of any engine
(200k out of many) using that process.  In recent years I've stopped using
that process believing that technology has improved the oils we use.  It
appears I may be wrong about that one.

Ken
67 Crown 4 Dr Ht


-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Hermanns
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 5:10 AM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: IML: How about Synthetic oils? (Ken Lang's question)

For the very interested, there is a fabulous web resource at
www.bobistheoilguy.com about all things oily.

Zddp is not the whole story, but there is general consensus that its quite
valuable in a flat tappet camed engine, PARTICULARLY during break-in.

SL and SM oils do have some of it, but less as has been noted.  Moreover,
even the new diesel engines are getting catalytics, SO you cannot assume
that a diesel rated oil has more zddp either.

Keep in mind that additives are consumed/broken down over the life of the
oil, which in many vehicles is now assumed to be 3-5k miles.  Fresh SM oil
in an old engine should be just fine for 2k miles, which is more then most
of us put on old babied engines before we change oil as well.

Another point:  High mileage and heavy duty engines oils, especially those
rated at 15w40 and 10w40 are not covered by the same formulation rules --
they typically have more zddp, and sometimes some other goodies to swell old
leaky seals.

I would warrant that most of our older engines should be running 15w40 in
the Spring/Summer/Fall anyhow and have 10w30 only in them for the occasional
winter start.

Finally, there is a lot of consensus that synthetic oils are more trouble
and unpredictable in older engines.  There are issues of the cam lobes --
some say synthetics "stick" to the metal better, some say the opposite.
Generally accepted is that synthetics can produce more leaks, a clear
problem in older engines.  Synths help achieve longer oil change intervals
-- they don't protect an engine from wear any better at all for the first 3k
miles and probably aren't any better even up to 5k.  Europeans like them a
lot since they spec much longer OCIs than we get here in USA.

There -- my first post here.  Hope its been helpful....

David Hermanns


-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dick Benjamin
Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 11:43 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: IML: How about Synthetic oils? (Ken Lang's question)

I'll try to answer this - if it goes through, maybe things are working
again.

Yes, unless the synthetic oil is recommended for use in Diesels, I doubt
very much that it contains enough ZDDP for use in car which is seldom
driven.  The reason for that is that in order to qualify for an SL or SM
rating (look on your oil container), the Zinc Anti-wear additive has been
eliminate to avoid poisoning the catalytic converter in modern cars.  In
other words, if it is sold for use in modern cars, it isn't the right stuff
for a collector car that is parked for weeks at a time.  When Mobil One
first came out, this wasn't so serious a problem, but the SL and SM rated
oils have really dropped the amount of ZDDP to just about zero - the SK
article gives precise numbers, which I don't have at the tips of my fingers
at the moment.

Dick Benjamin

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ken Lang
Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 3:44 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: IML: New Info on engine Oils - was lifter info - From Dick B.

I'm wondering if this applies to synthetic oils as well.  I've been using
Mobil One in my 67.







-----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com  -----------------
This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please 
reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be 
shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm





-----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com  -----------------
This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please 
reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be 
shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm



-----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com  -----------------
This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please 
reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be 
shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm