synthetic oils

[Anonymous]

re:synthetic

wow sorry guys and gals i didn't realize that this would be equal to kicking a hornets nest, but i think the first post with the link will answer my question

thanks gang


dave

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Hornets nest? Nah. Seems to me we're all just talking and learning. I never realized the leaking possibility by switching to synthetic oil in high mileage motors, so I learned something. I guess the one negative thing about synthetic oil is you'll have a tendency for more leaking as your motor gets older.

[Anonymous]

Must kick hornet's nest can't resist.

Smokey Yunich used a mix of 70/30 and found it to work as good as synth only. It is true a tired motor will leak more, but if you use it from the begining that should not be the case. Using synth or blends actually polishes the inside of the cylinder walls. Looks almost like chrome. I am not exactly sure how well it applies to motorcycle engines in terms of aging and the rest of the powertrain. I have 15k miles and started using a blend at 12k miles. Performance advantage, none I can tell. But I've always run a blend in my cars and trucks without problems. I see it as insurance. You could try using a heavier weight in synth or blend than conventional if you are leaking at the piston rings.

[saaz]

This article is from 1994, but contains the basic information to make up your own mind.

http://www.xs11.com/stories/mcnoil94.htm

I don't know the answer to the leaking question, as I have not run a direct comparison. You might risk leaks that were not previously there because of the better cleaning action of synthetics, but if the motor and seals are still oil tight then of cousre there will be no leaks.

[Anonymous]

My bike definitely runs cooler with mobile one or syntec. I supose that indicates something ????

[Anonymous]

My bike definitely runs cooler with mobile one or syntec. I supose that indicates something ????

My GS runs cooler on synthetic. Gear changes smoother. Extended change intervals (handy because a header has to be removed to change the filter). No significant leaks - apart from a couple of minor weeps which happen on dino oil anyway.

It's not a black and white issue.

http://www.motor-oil-bible.com

[jimcor]

... the entire axle stub snaps off of the floating axles. Two wheels and a brake drum go bounding away.

Steve

I was on an Interstate highway in NC near the Blue Ridge Pkwy and saw that happen. One of those Humongous Dumps, yes, I was on the bike. There were no accidents, but, to see a set of wheels bouncing across the highway is such a bizarrre sight that most drivers were so stunned they didn't comprehend the peril they were in...(me included!). No one took any evasive actiion and it was through the grace of God that those wheels didn't hit anyone and the truck didn't flip. Could have been brutally ugly!

And yes Steve, the mixmasters at the oil refineries use a special incantation when blending the oils. 8O It is similar to the chant you might have muttered if you've ever had a flat on the bike on the road!

[AOD]

Exactly Earl, mixing synthetic and regular gear oil causes things to seize. If you mix it in your differential your spider gears seize, if you mix it in your wheel hubs your wheels seize, etc.

uhm...no. for synthetic oil to be used in cars it MUST carry the same standards as regular oil, therefor like all regular oils, they must mix together fine, synthetic oils MUST mix with regular oils. they mix with no problem at all.

i've done extensive research on synthetic oil for a class...and i wrote a 30 page report on it. i was hesistant to convert my motorcycle with 13,000 miles over to it, and its handled it great. i ran the same filter all year, changed teh synthetic twice and had no isses.

i was VERY hesitant to convert my car, which ran Pennzoil dino oil its whole life. i've done some gaskets on it, but didn't want the original 15 year old gaskets to go. but, after 2 months now, things are great...and i feel more comfortable with synthetic oil protecting the engine.

~Adam

[Gary Lich]

Exactly Earl, mixing synthetic and regular gear oil causes things to seize. If you mix it in your differential your spider gears seize, if you mix it in your wheel hubs your wheels seize, etc.

I'm not sure how the manufacturers blend the oils but there most be something more to it than a bit of mixing.Steve

I have my doubts that there is any special magic involved in the blending process. (more like a clever marketing ploy) I have read that mixing different types of grease and gear lube is not good. As far as mixing motor oils I believe the labeling states the syn is fully compatable with regular oils. I have been mixing them in my pick-up for 10 years. It now has 150k mi on it, runs like new and has never had any problems or leaks (if mixing was going to cause it to seize I think it would have happened by now)

[Anonymous]

synthetic oil

personally i use amsoil 20w50 in my 83' gs750es and always will.
i am a big believer in synthetics, but they are not for everyone......
it is a big misconception that using synthetics will cause oil leaks where you didn't have them before. it is still oil regardless of it's synthetic properties. it stays fluid at much colder temps and stays together in hotter temps. perfect for air cooled engines. synthetics have an electrically charged molecule in them called esthers(i hoped i spelled that right) that will actually bond to metal engine parts. good for cold start ups!!
if you change your oil frequently then synthetic oil may not be for you. if you run your bike a little harder than most, then a good motorcycle approved synthetic oil is just the ticket your looking for...........

[Hap Call]

Re: synthetic oil

i am a big believer in synthetics, but they are not for everyone......

Depends on what you call synthetics:

http://www.searchforparts.com/important_articles/castrol_mobil_pao.html

Be aware that this article "blends" into an advertisement for Amsoil but it does say where the article ends and the advertisement begins.

Hap

[saaz]

Synthetics do not cause leaks. Most of the sites (AMSOIL included) will warn that synthetics will not cover up existing defective seals if they exist because of their much better detergent cleaning problems. Most of the misconceptions of synthetics causing leaks come from the early days when there was compatability problems with oil seals.

[Anonymous]

From all I have been able to determine, special motorcycle oils are formulated specifically to decrease the load in your wallet.

AMEN! I use the red cap oil, too (15W-50). Every bit of independent research I've read during many hours of research points to carefully selected car oil protecting as well as motorcycle specific oils. Certainly, a well-selected synthetic car oil will protect better than a conventional motorcycle specific oil.

[Anonymous]

I never realized the leaking possibility by switching to synthetic oil in high mileage motors, so I learned something. I guess the one negative thing about synthetic oil is you'll have a tendency for more leaking as your motor gets older.

Or, will the superior properties of synthetic oil preserve your seals, gaskets, and sliding bits so the motor lasts longer and leaks less? I'd always use (car) syn from end-of-break-in, given a choice. As to oil change intervals, I'm overcautious when I change at 2000 miles. I've corresponded with people who change at 200 miles!