Re: synlubes

[Todd Phenneger <phen9461@uidaho.edu>]

On Mon, 5 Oct 1998, Ted Kublin wrote:

> I work as a propulsion engineer in Huntsville, AL and have been using
> synlubes for 20 years ....

	Ted, thanks for the great reply.  Nice to have someone with your
experience give their opinions on the subject.

> The synthetic blends on the market (Valvoline Durablend, Castrol Syntec
> Blend, etc....) are only about 15%-20% synthetic basestock.  If you look at
> their physical properties they are only marginally better than petroleum

	Wow, I didn't realize it was that little.  If only 15-20% synth.
then I guess they wouldn't be much better. 

> oils.  The added detergency of a semi-synthetic or full synthetic oil will
> gradually clean out any varnish deposits that MAY be covering dried up
> seals.  I've changed over cars with as many as 160k miles to synthetic oil
> without any problems - it really depends if the car has had frequent (at
> least every 5k) oil/filter changes.  Most of the problems with high mileage
> cars are with leaky valve cover gaskets, that are inexpensive to replace.

	So I guess my girlfriends car with 165,000 miles that has been
dealer serviced with oil changes on record every 3,000 to 5,000 miles
should be fine  :)  
	On the other hand, the silver 4kq I just bought, I wonder if the
oil has ever been changed in the 180,000 miles of its entire life.  :)
But it burns already so I think I will just use Dino in it untill I drop a
turbo or a 2.3 into it as well.  He HE!  

> If you plan to keep the car, a 100% synthetic like Mobil 1 or Amsoil (the
> stuff I use) is a much better choice ....

	What do you think of the Castrol Syntech Full Synthetic?  I use
the 5-50 weight in my Red 4kq and it seems to work great when cold and
Hot.  Starts much easier than the Mobil 1  15-50.   
	Again, thanks for the reply

	Todd Phenneger
	84' 4kq  Red
	85' 4kq  Silver