Lucas Oil And The Additive
Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Let me expand on that.
I use HD synthetic oil along with Lucas Synthetic additive.
Lucas not only coats everything preventing dry starts, but it also helps in heat reduction.
With 30 plus years as a mechanic, and yes I have rebuilt turbine engines used in M1 tanks. In fact I worked at one of three shops that was DS plus certified to do this.
I totally understand the importance of synthetic blended oils.
Edit to add: Slick 50 and Lucas are two totally different oil additives.
292,000 miles on my pickup and 275,000 miles on my wife's suburban with Lucas and I have had no oil related problems. In fact the pickup still maintains over 60 psi of oil pressure and the suburban keeps at least 45 psi.....even at idle in gear.
I use HD synthetic oil along with Lucas Synthetic additive.
Lucas not only coats everything preventing dry starts, but it also helps in heat reduction.
With 30 plus years as a mechanic, and yes I have rebuilt turbine engines used in M1 tanks. In fact I worked at one of three shops that was DS plus certified to do this.
I totally understand the importance of synthetic blended oils.
Edit to add: Slick 50 and Lucas are two totally different oil additives.
292,000 miles on my pickup and 275,000 miles on my wife's suburban with Lucas and I have had no oil related problems. In fact the pickup still maintains over 60 psi of oil pressure and the suburban keeps at least 45 psi.....even at idle in gear.
Last edited by Eagle_1; Aug 14, 2013 at 06:41 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
Let me expand on that.
Edit to add: Slick 50 and Lucas are two totally different oil additives.
292,000 miles on my pickup and 275,000 miles on my wife's suburban with Lucas and I have had no oil related problems. In fact the pickup still maintains over 60 psi of oil pressure and the suburban keeps at least 45 psi.....even at idle in gear.
Edit to add: Slick 50 and Lucas are two totally different oil additives.
292,000 miles on my pickup and 275,000 miles on my wife's suburban with Lucas and I have had no oil related problems. In fact the pickup still maintains over 60 psi of oil pressure and the suburban keeps at least 45 psi.....even at idle in gear.
I hold a current A&P Certificate and worked in general aviation for over 20 years. In my opinion, based on this experience with close tolerance air cooled aircraft piston engines, using additives that work by increasing an oil's rated viscosity (Lucas Oil Stabilizers) and or or leaves deposits in critical areas (Slick-50) is asking for trouble down the road. It isn't necessary to keep your engine running smooth and reliable and the benefits of using it are controversial.
Harley Davidson V-Twin air cooled engines were designed to use a specific viscosity of oil without additives. There are several brands of both petroleum and synthetic based lubricants on the market that adequately meet this requirement without additives.
I stumbled on this while trying to find out the chemical makeup of Lucas Oil Stabilizers. It is a must read for anyone who is considering using any oil additive.
http://www.ultimatesyntheticoil.com/..._additives.htm
Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Increased oil pressure above the normal range is NOT a good thing and can indicate problems.
I hold a current A&P Certificate and worked in general aviation for over 20 years. In my opinion, based on this experience with close tolerance air cooled aircraft piston engines, using additives that work by increasing an oil's rated viscosity (Lucas Oil Stabilizers) and or or leaves deposits in critical areas (Slick-50) is asking for trouble down the road. It isn't necessary to keep your engine running smooth and reliable and the benefits of using it are controversial.
Harley Davidson V-Twin air cooled engines were designed to use a specific viscosity of oil without additives. There are several brands of both petroleum and synthetic based lubricants on the market that adequately meet this requirement without additives.
I stumbled on this while trying to find out the chemical makeup of Lucas Oil Stabilizers. It is a must read for anyone who is considering using any oil additive.
http://www.ultimatesyntheticoil.com/..._additives.htm
I hold a current A&P Certificate and worked in general aviation for over 20 years. In my opinion, based on this experience with close tolerance air cooled aircraft piston engines, using additives that work by increasing an oil's rated viscosity (Lucas Oil Stabilizers) and or or leaves deposits in critical areas (Slick-50) is asking for trouble down the road. It isn't necessary to keep your engine running smooth and reliable and the benefits of using it are controversial.
Harley Davidson V-Twin air cooled engines were designed to use a specific viscosity of oil without additives. There are several brands of both petroleum and synthetic based lubricants on the market that adequately meet this requirement without additives.
I stumbled on this while trying to find out the chemical makeup of Lucas Oil Stabilizers. It is a must read for anyone who is considering using any oil additive.
http://www.ultimatesyntheticoil.com/..._additives.htm
The mileage speaks for itself.
The Lucas synthetic that I use in the bike says right on the bottle:
Controls heat and wear in high performance motorcycles, especially Harley Davidson (use 25-30%)
I really don't need any websites, links or even Lucas advertisements to convince me how good Lucas works. I have been using it for about 8 years now.
I even put it in my 1965 John Deere lawn tractor, and it definitely runs cooler.
I'm just giving my personal experiences. Use if you want or not.
BTW, the synthetic oil used in turbine engines doesn't need any additives, it's already in there.
Why do you think that stuff cost so much?
Last edited by Eagle_1; Aug 15, 2013 at 02:29 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 789
Likes: 3
From: Kansas
I have been selling and using Energy Release for 20 years and haven't seen any negative press on them. They supposedly dont use zinc or chlorinated solvents etc. I also use and like Lucas 20-50 vtwin syn oil in the engine and primary w/ER I use 85-140 syn gear oil w/ER in the trany.
I use it all my cars and trucks but I happen to have a temp gage in my oil tank on the bike. My bike runs about 10-15 degrees cooler in the oil tank than a buddy's similar Heritage. Now whether its the ER or what I cant say fwtw. fwtw we even swapped gages coming back from Sturgis same results me cooler by 10-15 degrees.
I use it all my cars and trucks but I happen to have a temp gage in my oil tank on the bike. My bike runs about 10-15 degrees cooler in the oil tank than a buddy's similar Heritage. Now whether its the ER or what I cant say fwtw. fwtw we even swapped gages coming back from Sturgis same results me cooler by 10-15 degrees.
Last edited by Car Doc; Aug 15, 2013 at 03:00 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
I respect your experienced opinions and so I will bow out of this discussion leaving you with this one thought...
If your bike suffers an engine failure, you can just pull over to the curb and call for a tow...if a single engine airplane suffers an engine failure, it is going down...if you are very lucky, you will walk away. Maybe that is why an overwhelming majority of single engine airplane owners and operators will not use any kind of additives like these. The risk is too great.
BTW, all multi-viscosity engine oils, both petroleum, synthetic, and blends, have additives.
Peace, out
If your bike suffers an engine failure, you can just pull over to the curb and call for a tow...if a single engine airplane suffers an engine failure, it is going down...if you are very lucky, you will walk away. Maybe that is why an overwhelming majority of single engine airplane owners and operators will not use any kind of additives like these. The risk is too great.
BTW, all multi-viscosity engine oils, both petroleum, synthetic, and blends, have additives.
Peace, out
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
There is a substantially closer relationship between the design and operation of air cooled aircraft engines and air cooled V-Twin motorcycle engines than there is with fluid cooled engines.
The pros to adding it to any new or low mile engine, especially an air cooled engine, are debatable with ample evidence disputing claimed benefits...the cons are that it is totally unnecessary with evidence that it can damage an engine or hide problems.
Is that about right?
I will admit that I knew very little about Lucas Oil Stabilizers when I entered this discussion. My first thoughts were that Lucas Oil Stabilizers were just another snake oil in a long list of over-hyped oil additive products like Slick-50 that I have seen damage aircraft engines. However, my respect for your opinion as an experienced HD owner and rider, and your professional automotive experience peaked my interest and caused me to research this product. What I learned from this discussion and that research convinced me that Lucas Oil Stabilizer is something I may want to put in my 115K mile '92 Mustang ragtop...but based on my professional experience with oil additives in aircraft engines, there is no way I will use it in my 40K mile 2001 HD Super Glide.
Ride on!
Last edited by skinman13; Aug 16, 2013 at 09:45 AM. Reason: I am OC with grammar and spelling
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I have been selling and using Energy Release for 20 years and haven't seen any negative press on them. They supposedly dont use zinc or chlorinated solvents etc. I also use and like Lucas 20-50 vtwin syn oil in the engine and primary w/ER I use 85-140 syn gear oil w/ER in the trany.
I use it all my cars and trucks but I happen to have a temp gage in my oil tank on the bike. My bike runs about 10-15 degrees cooler in the oil tank than a buddy's similar Heritage. Now whether its the ER or what I cant say fwtw. fwtw we even swapped gages coming back from Sturgis same results me cooler by 10-15 degrees.
I use it all my cars and trucks but I happen to have a temp gage in my oil tank on the bike. My bike runs about 10-15 degrees cooler in the oil tank than a buddy's similar Heritage. Now whether its the ER or what I cant say fwtw. fwtw we even swapped gages coming back from Sturgis same results me cooler by 10-15 degrees.
My 1965 John Deere engine is air cooled and is proof too.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 789
Likes: 3
From: Kansas
I know my buddy is using dino oil which will run hotter from my experience fwtw. I also believe the friction reducing being the reason mine runs lower temps being a combo of ER and good syn oil. The air cooled JD is a new one on me though? Proves ones education is never completed.
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