50 hour maint coming up..Synthetic or Not????????

[MChalkley]

Trvler - Your experience is interesting. Also, quite puzzling, since it is completely opposite to every documented fleet test I've ever seen. The only difference I can see between your test and the ones I know of is that yours was done using Mobil 1 and the ones I'm familiar with were done using Amsoil. And I wouldn't have thought there would be much difference between those two synthetics. Amsoil has always said theirs is a lot better and given a lot of what I considered "mumbo-jumbo" to explain why, but I never believed it. Maybe your experience, when compared with all the fleets that have run similar tests using Amsoil as the synthetic, proves Amsoil is a better synthetic. As I say, your results are interesting.

What I said earlier is still true from my own usage in half a dozen different vehicles. I break even using synthetic just on fuel savings. When I factor in extended change intervals, I'm saving money. And again, as I say, I believe there's a direct correlation between reduced friction and extending equipment life, so there's a payoff there, if I use the equipment long enough to benefit from it.

You mention synthetic's superiority in extreme conditions. That's what I call a safety net. Under certain conditions, when something goes wrong, if you're using petroleum, your engine's toast, but if you're using synthetic, it lives. That's enough for me. Everybody else can make their own call, with no fear of getting the hairy eyeball from me. Shucks, I even have a few friends that never keep anything longer than a year or two, just so they don't have to worry about maintenance. And I still speak to them.

Mark

 

[Trvler]

I'm not trying to give anyone the "hairy eyeball". Only expressing the findings of my own efforsts. In my business an oil change costs about 130.00. A synthetic oil change costs about 300.00. That's big difference, especially when your dealing with a fleet of trucks. The method we used in determining what was best for our fleet mirrored the same form of testing done by many other truck load carriers that I associate with. I keep a truck untill it reaches 500,000 miles.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Trvlr and Mark, thanks for the excellent comments.

Trvlr, are you saying you ran the trucks up to 45000 without an oil change?

I know you can check for soot and the metal particulates, but I was under the impression that one of the reasons for changing oil at short intervals was also because some of the additives have a tendency to break down, like those that keep the oil from foaming, allow multiviscosity to actually happen, etc. And this can't be discovered with a typical contaminant test. Or am I wrong. I'll admit I'm somewhat lost in todays world, cut my teeth on 1500 mile intervals and toilet paper canister filters! I still look at spin-on filters and have to restrain myself from saying..."Well look at that new fangled thang" /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. Some of my vehicles even have to wait 4000 miles for an oil change (wow I've moved up to the 70s)

Speaking of filters, I suppose most of you have seen that blast against Fram that a fellow did in testing a whole slug of filters. Although I have to say I don't necessarily see what construction has to do with the value of a filter as long as it holds together, doesn't bypass the filter medium etc. With the tractors I'll tend to stay with Kubota, JD NH whatever I'm changing. There I go again, one minute I'm saying synthetics might be a "feel good" item and not any better and I have to admit I "feel good" with a manufacturers filter, at least on these diesels. What's the general feeling on filters among you folks brand wise?

 

[richh]

Mark
How long do you between oil change on your truck?? And do you have one of those by-pass filters on it ??
Rich

 

[richh]

Mark
How long do you between oil change on your truck [miles]?? And do you have one of those by-pass filters on it ??
Rich

 

[Trvler]

To answer the question of "how long we run between changes?"
Currently the oil changes are performed every 40,000 miles. Oil filters are replaced every 20,000 miles. No "bypass" fliter is used. The oil shows no sign of breakdown or loss in viscocity during that period.

 

[MChalkley]

Rich - My '93 Dodge only has 130k miles on it. Excluding changes before 10k (which is when I switched it to synthetic), the oil has been changed 3 times. The current change has almost 20k on it. I do use a bypass filter, which I change, along with the standard filter, once every two years, and when changing the oil, of course. Every analysis has always come back normal and suitable for continued use.

Mark

 

[MChalkley]

Trvler - My reference to the "hairy eyeball" was not at all directed at you. I only meant that I, like you, am relating what I know, and don't have a vested interest in what you or anyone else does. I'd like to see your stuff last as long as you want it, too, but how, or even if, you achieve that is up to you and entirely your business.

I am genuinely intrigued by your experience, because, as I said, it differs considerably with everyone else's that I know about.

Are you aware that there are several owner-operators using Amsoil who are running 400k and longer without changing the oil at all? And they're trading their trucks at 500-600k for tax reasons and the teardown shows they're in excellent shape. I know one of them personally. They are running bypass filtration, and doing analysis, of course. But no funny business, like burning it, so fresh oil is always introduced into the system, or stuff like that.

Mark

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Trvlr, Sorry to say but you didn't use the oil disigned for long drain intervals and new high speed diesel engines. Delvac 1 is the product best suited for your uses. It is rate CH-4. Mobil 1 is only rated CF. I use Mobil 1 in my tractor , it only requires CC or CD, both of which are obsolete. Wonder what the results would have been using Delvac 1. Not trying to be a smart*** just trying to be helpful and to make myself feel better about the added cost of synthetics which i use in all my vehicles. I have used Mobil 1 for years although i don't try the long drain intervals that some do. but whatever works for the individual. I like the advantage of quicker oil flow which cannot be ignored. The synthetics break down at higher temps, are less volatile, have a higher film strength. Use whatever you feel comfortable with. Hey I just convinced myself again how great synthetics are again.

 

[Trvler]

You are correct. Delvac 1 is the correct oil. In fact it was Delvac 1 that we were using. Forgive me the misuse of wording in my statement. Delvac is of course a Mobil product. The oil we currently use is Delvac 1300.