Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2004 14:47:59 -0400
Reply-To: ROBERT DONALDS <donalds1@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: ROBERT DONALDS <donalds1@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Synthetic oils in the vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
synthetic is the better lubricant but the 2 problems are #1 the accumulation
of by products of combustion, raw fuel and condensation. On this note I
would have to add that you don't need to hit the 212 F oil temp to eliminate
the water or fuel it just take longer at the lower temps.
#2 the synthetics have a history of rejecting heat.This for instance in an
air-cooled engine having lower oil temps and higher head temps. I have only
tested castrol syntec a blended oil that does not due this but I have goten
calls in the PAST about the head temps oil temp issue when customers have
switched to mobil 1
B Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug in Calif" <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2004 10:23 AM
Subject: Synthetic oils in the vanagon
Well,
Its obvious which side of the argument I am in here.
I say spend those extra oil dollars on your sweethearts and you will likely
get a great deal more out of your money.
To begin with, the only research I need is that the standard oils you can
buy meet and exceed both the stated requirements
listed in the VW owners manuals of ALL vanagons,the Bentley bible, The
current VW factory, and VW dealers, today.
So there's MY basic research to support not needing to pay extra for
synthetics.
There has been no revision from VW factory to switch vanagons over to
synthetics.
You "pro synthetic guys" have the burden of proof that I somehow "need" to
run it in my vanagon, or that there is some significant benefit if any, its
not the other way around.
YOU are suggesting the change from what is recommended in the owners manual
of the VW as well as HUNDREDS of other new vehicles today NOT requiring
synthetics, not ME.
You are the ones claiming some benefit, I say show me PROOF, real data not
"my oil stays cleaner longer"...."it runs cooler" uh huh......Sorry I don't
buy it.
I have torn down hundreds of air cooled beetle engines, which were driven
and abused as hard as any engine, several Porsche engines, and now a few
waterboxer engines.
I have inspected EVERY PART in these engines, where is this advantage? The
main, cam and rod bearings?, the rings or cylinder walls? the cam followers?
the valve guides? Where is this "magical" lack of wear ?
I do not see it.
If you think you can get more mileage out of oil changes because you use
synthetic you are doing FAR MORE damage to your engine and you wrongfully
think you are benefiting. You WILL see the wear on the bearings from not
keeping engine oil as clean as possible at all times.
Combustion carbon particles get in the oil regardless of if you are using
synthetics or not, so now we are comparing dirty synthetic to fresh clean
dino oil.
I will go with clean "approved rated for my vehicle" oil.
If you change your synthetic every 3-5 thousand miles now you are spending
ALLOT more cash than me over 100K miles.
Vanagons do not suffer from lubrication or oil problems that synthetics are
the answer for, they are overkill in the vanagon are and not needed period.
Buy yourself some spare head gaskets and retorque your heads every 40-50K
and you will be doing ALLOT more for your engine life.
Save your money or put it towards what you will really get something back
from, like perhaps another vanagon, new suby motor. 15inch wheels or flowers
for your gal.
You will be rebuilding your engine in the same amount of time as if you kept
regular clean oil in your rig.
If you run your oil dirty you will be rebuilding sooner regardless.
Just one mans opinion,
You guys can have the last word, spend your cash on whatever puts a smile on
your face.
Doug - Taking Dino toCostco to buy another couple cases of Chevron Supreme
"dinosaur" oil
