[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Author Index][Thread Index]
Erl Conversion
> From: es61@prism.gatech.edu (Eric Schumacher)
> According to the folks at Mobil, oil consumption should not increase and
> it is OK to start with synthetic at any time.
> They have probably the most experience. However, they have the oil for
> sale too.
True as reported.........
> From: "Tom Forhan" <TFORHAN@hr.house.gov>
> I switched my 90 200 tqw from dino to synthetic
> eight thousand miles ago at 88,500 miles. No changes in
> oil consumption...everything seems fine. I am using
> 15-50 Mobil 1.
Also a typical report.............
> From: "Bob D'Amato" <Bob.Damato@snetel.com>
> I put synth erl in my 20V in the fall. After 1K miles, I noticed unusual
> consuption. THe car had 62K on it at the time. Before it never TOUCHED erl.
> Likewise I put synth erl in the TQC, and it hasnt touched a drop.
> Consumption is normal, and that was 5k ago. It had 79K on the clock, and
> now has 84K.
(There was one additional post about not bothering to change to
synthetic after XX number of miles, as wear patterns had been
determined.)
All of the above fall within the normal reports I've heard. Relevant
facts are:
1) Synthetic oil IS more highly detergent than petroleum oils.
Therefore, it is possible that it may break up deposits or free up
worn seals. However, provided an engine is clean and well
maintained, runing a can of engine cleaner through it before putting
in synthetic and then making the first oil and filter change soon
should cover it.
2) Synthetic oils ALSO tend to make seals swell slightly. I have
friends whose oil consumption has gone DOWN after converting to
synthetic, probably because of this. I have not experienced this
phenomenon on any of my cars.
3) It IS worthwhile to convert to synthetic oil even in a car with
significant mileage, provided it is NOT an oil-burner (which I
define as using more than about 1 quart per 800 miles), in which case
it makes no economic sense. Wear does exist in a used engine, but
synthetic oil is a BETTER lubricant and will slow engine wear
considerably regardless of when it is installed. In essence, it
tends to greatly reduce the wear rate of the engine from the point in
time when it was installed. So if the engine has 80K+ miles on it,
you will find that the engine will not age from that 80K wear point
very soon.
4) Synthetic oil has other advantages. It resists breakdown from
heat, making it safer to run in turbos and engines which are
stressed; it dissipates heat faster then conventional oil, so it
helps the oil run about 15-30 dgrees cooler (from most reports I've
heard); and it stays on metal parts betterm, providing more
protection from wear at start-up.
My advice: don't wait. Convert now.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
Al Powell Voice: 409/845-2807
Ag Communications Fax: 409/862-1202
107 Reed McDonald Bldg. Email: a-powell1@tamu.edu
College Station, TX 77843-2112
W3 page - http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/agcom/rpe/alpage.htm
***The PACK is back!***
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***