Date:         Thu, 8 Jul 1999 15:29:52 -0500
Reply-To:     cdo9@CSI.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Cliff Ober <cdo9@CSI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Syntec and Bosch Plat 4's experience
In-Reply-To:  <8e887e9.24b48f95@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Ken,

Here's the text of a message I posted last year about my experience with
Mobil One, which is a full synthetic:

>>  I'm in the process of partially rebuilding my '84 GL's engine
>>  with 185k on it (partial cause I'm not splitting the case).
>>  3 or 4 of the head studs have some pitting. Does anyone have
>>  recommendations on replacing them? If they should be replaced,
>>  is there anything I should know before I start fooling with them,
>>  like special procedures to remove them etc.?
>>
>>  I'm replacing the heads due to corrosion and cracks, but I did get
>>  180k before any major leak problems showed up. This is a van that's
>>  been driven very hard for 14 years (95-100mph for extended periods,
>>  hard city driving, logging/fire trails in Canada, etc.) and the
>>  only major problem area for me has been transaxles (I'm on my third).
>>
>>  As I've torn down the engine, I've been measuring the parts for wear.
>>  Every moving part I've checked has been *well* within the tolerances
>>  listed in the manual. I feel a lot of credit has to go to the Mobil
>>  One oil I've been using for the last 13 years. Oil usage is
>>  negligible. I change the stuff every year or so, or around 25,000
>>  miles. The filter gets changed at every 6k. I've been using Mobil One
>>  since around 1973, and I've never had any vehicle burn oil. This is
>>  the first real confirmation I've had though that it really does work
>>  well. I hope someone else out can benefit from my experience with it.

My "partial" rebuild turned into a full rebuild 'cause I broke off some head
studs when I tried to replace the pitted originals. I continued to measure
the moving parts as I pulled them out, and the wear on every piece I checked
was within the spec's listed in the Bentley manual. I'm very satisfied with
the Mobil oil, and as soon as the break-in period is over with the rebuild,
I'll start using it again in the Vanagon - it's GREAT stuff.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
[mailto:owner-vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf Of KENWILFY@AOL.COM
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 1999 6:10 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Syntec and Bosch Plat 4's experience


In a message dated 7/7/99 12:44:41 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
happycampers@PICUSNET.COM writes:

<< "Part Synthetic
 Motor Oil". Check it out at your local FLAPS. >>

Just an interesting note here.  Almost all jet engines now use synthetic
oil.
 They claim the internal resistance is less along with less tendancy to coke
at the bearings.
However for recipricating engines in aircraft you cannot use straight
synthetic.  They had a major sludging problem with it.  So you either use
straight dino ashless dispersant oil or a synthetic blend (which is what
alot
of guys are using now).  They claim the blend actually works better in the
aircraft engines than straight synthetic.  It gives you the benefits of the
low internal resistance of the synthetic, along with the nice anti-sludging
properties of the dino oil.

Does this translate well over into the automotive world.  Not really since
the sludging problem that synthetic was having in AC engines is due to the
fact that they still use very high levels of lead in the fuel (100 low lead
has 6 times more lead than any leaded automotive gas).  This lead gets in
the
oil and if it is not suspended properly, will cause severe sludging.  Since
we don't have any lead in our fuels (here in the US anyway) this is not a
factor.  However good suspension is a property that is very desireable in
oil.  Perhaps the synthetic blends are the way to go as well in automotive
engines.
Any thoughts or experiences out there?

I would think diesels would be even more prone to sludging and perhaps the
straight synthetic was the root of Karl's problem a couple months ago?

Ken Wilford (One with oil.  Got it smeared all over me all day long!)
Van-Again
John 3:16