Sludge and lubricants

[Scruggs Family]

Grant, while your comment is correct it steps over one of the vital reasons
for using synthetics... they have far less additives than petroleum bases
lubricants.  Petroleum oils typically have 20% of their volume in viscosity
improvers, pour point depressants, antioxidants, etc.  Synthetics... the
good ones... have a little as 5% of the same additives.  Essentially, with
synthetics there is less in the mix to wear out and contaminate the
lubricant.  

I first used synthetic oils in '77 in my Rover 2000TC.  I've used synthetics
exclusively since '85 (even in the lawn mower) and have had no problems,
noticeable wear or increased consumption using 20k mi change intervals.
That's about 600kmi over 6 cars/trucks.  I do, however, change filters every
5k and top up the level.  

Gross Scruggs
Annapolis MD


Message: 1
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 2010 14:45:09 -0400
From: Grant Lenahan <glenahan at vfemail.net>
Subject: Re: How to check for sludge ?
To: Ed Kellock <ekellock at gmail.com>
Cc: 'thejimrose' <thejimrose at gmail.com>, quattro at audifans.com
Message-ID: <4CCF0AB5.1050002 at vfemail.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

yes, they do. But bear in mind that oils deteriorate for many reasons, 
and even with synthetic you must consider:

1. depletion of additives
2. accumulation of acids

Neither is affected by teh improved base stock

Grant