Synthetic Yes Or no
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 313
Likes: 84
From: Central KY
42 Gunner, I don't speak Spanish but your cute meme has no relevance. Oil is an important issue for most motorcycle owners. Just because you know it all doesn't mean everyone does. Just ignore all subsequent posts.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 819
Likes: 2
From: shelby twp MI
Ahhh, here we go. In another post I detailed the problems I've experienced with synthetic motor oil. One problem with synthetics is that they don't hold particles in suspension as well as mineral oils. The result is that the contaminants don't always make it to the filter and instead precipitate in areas of the motor where oil tends to pool (such as the valve covers where the contaminants end up in the valve guides). Shell actually discontinued their Aero Shell synthetic because of this problem. There were many reports of valve sticking on Lycoming engines due to gunk in the valve guides. Most people base their strong support of synthetics on marketing hype. They buy into it hook, line and sinker. It's not justified. I have motorcycles that are over 50 years old that have had nothing but mineral oil in them. They're still running.
Another reason is that the term 'synthetic' doesn't mean anything. You may be interested in searching on the Internet for a law suit between Mobil 1 and Castol. Mobil 1 sued Castrol for claiming that their Syntec motor oil was synthetic when it was manufactured from Class IV mineral oil. Castrol won based upon the argument that the term 'synthetic' has no generally accepted meaning and is actually a group of properties. It's an interesting case and should, if you're not completely bought into the marketing hype, tell you that not all is truth in the synthetic oil world.
Another reason is that the term 'synthetic' doesn't mean anything. You may be interested in searching on the Internet for a law suit between Mobil 1 and Castol. Mobil 1 sued Castrol for claiming that their Syntec motor oil was synthetic when it was manufactured from Class IV mineral oil. Castrol won based upon the argument that the term 'synthetic' has no generally accepted meaning and is actually a group of properties. It's an interesting case and should, if you're not completely bought into the marketing hype, tell you that not all is truth in the synthetic oil world.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 313
Likes: 84
From: Central KY
As an aside, have you noticed how synthetic prices have increased along with oil prices despite the fact that they claim that they are not made from mineral oil? I'd be interested in what the engineers say about that as well. As soon as Castol GTX goes up in price the synthetics go up even more. Coincidence?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 819
Likes: 2
From: shelby twp MI
I'm very interested in the opinions of engineers that actually test oils. Can you share their advice? When I approached a Mobil 1 engineer at a car rally about the precipitation problem he just got quiet and blushed. Not sure if he didn't know of the problem or did and didn't want to talk about it.
As an aside, have you noticed how synthetic prices have increased along with oil prices despite the fact that they claim that they are not made from mineral oil? I'd be interested in what the engineers say about that as well. As soon as Castol GTX goes up in price the synthetics go up even more. Coincidence?
As an aside, have you noticed how synthetic prices have increased along with oil prices despite the fact that they claim that they are not made from mineral oil? I'd be interested in what the engineers say about that as well. As soon as Castol GTX goes up in price the synthetics go up even more. Coincidence?
Yes, I have noticed the prices and have always wondered why it went up with the price of crude. If it's truly synthetic it shouldn't matter.
On a side note. Chevy had problems when running a high flow air filter. So, if you have a chevy and a high flow filter, stop using it. You'll run too lean unless you run a programmer.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 168
Likes: 10
From: Hornsby, TN
Amsoil says it can go double the book. So 10k miles or one year in the engine. 20k in the primary and trans or one year.
Can you use the same in all 3 holes.
This isn't rocket science. Do what makes you feel better. If you are concerned, send your oil off at 5k and see what they say.
Can you use the same in all 3 holes.
This isn't rocket science. Do what makes you feel better. If you are concerned, send your oil off at 5k and see what they say.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
Ahhh, here we go. In another post I detailed the problems I've experienced with synthetic motor oil. One problem with synthetics is that they don't hold particles in suspension as well as mineral oils. The result is that the contaminants don't always make it to the filter and instead precipitate in areas of the motor where oil tends to pool (such as the valve covers where the contaminants end up in the valve guides). Shell actually discontinued their Aero Shell synthetic because of this problem. There were many reports of valve sticking on Lycoming engines (aircraft air cooled engines) due to gunk in the valve guides. Most people base their strong support of synthetics on marketing hype. They buy into it hook, line and sinker. It's not justified. I have motorcycles that are over 50 years old that have had nothing but mineral oil in them. They're still running. They've been running long since their odometers quit working.
Another reason is that the term 'synthetic' doesn't mean anything. You may be interested in searching on the Internet for a law suit between Mobil 1 and Castol. Mobil 1 sued Castrol for claiming that their Syntec motor oil was synthetic when it was manufactured from Class IV mineral oil. Castrol won based upon the argument that the term 'synthetic' has no generally accepted meaning and is actually a group of properties. It's an interesting case and should, if you're not completely bought into the marketing hype, tell you that not all is truth in the synthetic oil world.
Edit: Did I mention that mineral oil is far cheaper?
Another reason is that the term 'synthetic' doesn't mean anything. You may be interested in searching on the Internet for a law suit between Mobil 1 and Castol. Mobil 1 sued Castrol for claiming that their Syntec motor oil was synthetic when it was manufactured from Class IV mineral oil. Castrol won based upon the argument that the term 'synthetic' has no generally accepted meaning and is actually a group of properties. It's an interesting case and should, if you're not completely bought into the marketing hype, tell you that not all is truth in the synthetic oil world.
Edit: Did I mention that mineral oil is far cheaper?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Beary
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
I had a 1995 ford explorer that we vacationed loaded for 180,000 miles. Took valve covers off and you could literally eat off the spotless heads. Looked like the day it was built. Mobil1 5w-30 for 180k miles. 5k oil changes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
Lets see.....syn oil, check.
Syn in all three holes, check.
Gas cap @ three clicks, check.
Get on from the correct side, check.
No doo rag or a$$less chaps, check.
Installed some silly looking ape hanger bars, check.
Got the absolute loudest 2-1 exhaust, check.
Been practicing my bad-a$$ biker scowl, check.
Think I'm ready to ride - hope I didn't forget something.
Syn in all three holes, check.
Gas cap @ three clicks, check.
Get on from the correct side, check.
No doo rag or a$$less chaps, check.
Installed some silly looking ape hanger bars, check.
Got the absolute loudest 2-1 exhaust, check.
Been practicing my bad-a$$ biker scowl, check.
Think I'm ready to ride - hope I didn't forget something.