Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 13:02:32 -0400
Reply-To: "Sharpe, Steven (Facilities Planning)" <SSharpe@FAC.UNC.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Sharpe, Steven (Facilities Planning)" <SSharpe@FAC.UNC.EDU>
Subject: Re: Synthetic oils and bypass filtration
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Well, I was going to sit here quietly until I had some more data to share,
but I saw this discussion and decided to add my two cents.
In an attempt to increase the life of the engine in my VW Jetta, I have set
up my own little experiment concerning synthetic oils, bypass filtration,
oil analysis, and extended oil change intervals.
I got my Jetta at 70,000 miles and was running either Valvoline or Castrol
10W40 and Fram oil filters. Fram oil filters, by the way, appear to be one
of the most cheaply constructed filters on the market. Although I never had
a single problem with them, after seeing one of them cut open, I'll spend
the extra money for something different.
My 95 Jetta had 106,000 miles when I switched it over to Mobil 1 oil and
used a Mobil 1 oil filter. My engine was, and continues to be, oil-tight.
This was a big worry for me because I had heard the stories of how the
synthetic oils had cleaned the engines so well that they began to leak. I
went with Mobil 1 because it was easier to obtain and less expensive than
Redline.( http://www.redlineoil.com/ )I may put in Redline eventually if all
of this seems to be beneficial.
I then started researching bypass filtration. The two systems that I finally
narrowed my choices down to were the Gulf Coast filter unit and the Trasko
filter unit. Belgoes Filtration Systems
http://www.fuelpolishing.com/index.htm has a great website that explains
bypass filtration and why its a great thing to do. They also sell the Gulf
Coast filtration units. Trasko's website http://www.trasko-usa.com/ is okay
but leaves one apprehensive about the product.
Why did I end up with these two as my choices? I found there to be generally
three types of bypass systems:
1. External and supplemental. The original spin-on full flow filter is still
used. The bypass unit is installed somewhere under the hood and plumbed into
the engine with the supply typically teed off of the oil pressure sensor and
the return draining back to the oil pan. Of these types of bypass filters,
the Gulf Coast oil filter http://www.fuelpolishing.com/index.htm was about
the least expensive to purchase and was the absolute cheapest in terms of
replacement filter media. It uses institution grade toilet paper.
Institution grade toilet paper, by the way, is the same physical size as the
stuff you buy in the grocery store. Institution grade toilet paper is the
stuff you run across in gas stations and cheap hotels. Its typically the
single ply, 1000 sheet stuff that last a long time on the roll but is not
particularly soft on the butt.
2. Relocation kit type. Relocation kit type uses an adaptor plate where the
regular full flow filter goes and runs hoses to where the relocated spin-on
full flow filter and separate spin-on bypass filter are mounted. Amsoil
http://www.amsoil.com/ sells this type of filter system.
3.Spin on combination full flow and bypass: This is the Trasko unit
http://www.trasko-usa.com/ . I have not been able to find anyone else who
manufacturers a product like this. This unit replaces the disposable full
flow filter with one that is supposed to function as a full flow filter and
bypass filtration unit. The unit has a filter element that is replaceable.
Like I was saying the website did not instill confidence in the product I
found a second website who is evidently the Korean rep
http://www.sgjeong.com . I can't say that this website was much better.
The operation of the Trasko filter is pretty innovative. It wasn't until it
arrived that I could really see how it worked. In short: oil flows into the
filter and through an 8 micron filter screen. ( At least they say its an 8
micron screen, I don't know what an 8 micron screen looks like.) After
passing through the screen, the oil either passes through the replaceable
filter cartridge or returns straight to the engine through a spring loaded
pressure relief device. Another way of looking at it is that its a
combination 8 micron full flow filter and mini version of the Gulf Coast
bypass filter system.
So why did I go with the Trasko instead of the Gulf Coast Filtration system?
I'm cheap and lazy, but I like to try things that are innovative. If I
installed the Gulf Coast filter, it would have cost me about $150-$175 and I
would have to spend the afternoon mounting it. Finding a spot to mount it
would have involved some creativity. Although the cost of the toilet paper /
filter media for the Gulf Coast is only maybe $1.00, ( replace every 3000
miles ) I would still have to replace the full flow filter every so often (
once a year? ), which is anywhere from $2.00 to 10.00.
The Trasko filter, on the other hand, is a spin on installation that
replaces the regular full flow filter. The cost of the filter was about $70.
The replacement filter element cost $20 and is changed every 10,000 miles.
Comparing cost and potential installation aggravation led me to choose the
Trasko system. Your results may vary.
At 108000 miles I installed the Trasko filter. I reused the oil that came
out of the engine during the filter change out.
So now I'm running synthetic oil and supposedly a super efficient filter.
The next thing that I wanted to examine was extended oil drain intervals.
The trick to extending oil drain intervals is knowing when it should be
changed. To know when it should be changed, it has to be periodically tested
and analyzed. Once again I started surfing the internet for oil testing
companies. Most of the companies I found charged $20 to $30 for an oil
analysis. I finally found Petroleum Products Monitoring
http://www.ppmoiltesting.com/ They are primarily used by large fleet
operators. There are 4 levels of analysis packages available. Their analysis
packages are called A, B, C, and D, with package D being the most
comprehensive. Package D costs $8.50. The only catch is that they sell in a
minimum of "6 packs" so 6 tests cost me $51.00 including shipping. They are
really set up for commercial clients. They don't take credit cards. You call
them and they mail you the kits and an invoice.
So here is a summary of my little experiment
106,000 miles
Switched over to Mobil 1 oil and used a Mobil 1 oil filter.
108,000 miles
Replaced Mobil 1 filter with Trasko filter
Sent in a sample of unused motor oil to establish a baseline to compare
against used oil samples. ( I had a 1/2 quart left from when I switched over
)
Sent in a sample of the used oil in engine. I obtained the sample by using
some clear aquarium air tubing ( $0.95 at Wal-Mart )and siphoning it out of
the dipstick tube.
Results: I don't really have any yet. The tests came back from the lab and
the Mobil 1 oil was in good condition, but I would expect that after only
2000 miles in the engine. I plan to sample again at around 112,000 miles.
I'll keep everyone up to date.
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Condelli [mailto:RAlanen@AOL.COM]
Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2000 6:13 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Synthetic oils
In a message dated 9/12/00 7:31:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
<< Synthetic oils >>
Harold, I've been using Quaker State or Castrol Syntec 15w50 synthetic
for well over three years now. Using either Canadian Tire filters or Quaker
State filters. I have noticed the engine runs smoother and quieter. Never
have had any valve lifter noise during the time I've been using the
synthetic. I change the oil every 3000 ~ 5000 kms. I have 300,000 kms on
my
original engine. Only having changed the head gaskets a long time ago. I
think that using synthetic oil and changing it often is the single best
thing
you can do to extend the life of your waterboxer engine.
Cheers
Frank Condelli
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
<A HREF="http://www.vanagon.com/">Vanagon List</A>, <A
HREF="http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/">LiMBO</A>, <A
HREF="http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/CIW_English.asp">IWCCC</A> & Capital City
VW
Club member
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service for the Ottawa Valley
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm">STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless
Steel Mufflers</A>
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html">Frank Condelli &
Associates</A> or http://frankcondelli.com
