Anyone have experience with synthetic oils such as Mobile-1 ?? There are several on the market. I am thinking about using a synthetic with my Volvo MD11C diesel. My brother thinks that they are great and has been using synthetics in his pickup truck. I don't have an opinion except," why spend the extra money?". If synthetics are truely superior I'll switch.
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Experiences with Synth
A friend of mine is an engineer with Emerson Electric. He suggested the use of synthetic oil in automobiles citing scientific stuff that he'd worked on. I switched over. After the third oil change, I found my car getting an average of 3mpg more than with the old stuff! That gain has remained with the car for about six months thus far. As a result, I also started using synth in my old Mariner 9.9 kicker. Frankly, I've no idea whether there's been a benefit or not. Still doesn't work worth...well, you know. Only thing may be less smoke on cold starts. For the car, though, I'll never use anything else!
A friend of mine is an engineer with Emerson Electric. He suggested the use of synthetic oil in automobiles citing scientific stuff that he'd worked on. I switched over. After the third oil change, I found my car getting an average of 3mpg more than with the old stuff! That gain has remained with the car for about six months thus far. As a result, I also started using synth in my old Mariner 9.9 kicker. Frankly, I've no idea whether there's been a benefit or not. Still doesn't work worth...well, you know. Only thing may be less smoke on cold starts. For the car, though, I'll never use anything else!
Definitly Superior
The question is; Are they worth the extra expense? I have been using nothing but synthetic for the last 18 years in all of my cars so I beleive that are worth the extra cost. The most noticeable difference was in how much cooler the engines ran. I do not know if it is because the oil dissapates the heat that much better or because the oil reduces friction so well. For a couple of bucks on a few quarts I think it worth the difference.
The question is; Are they worth the extra expense? I have been using nothing but synthetic for the last 18 years in all of my cars so I beleive that are worth the extra cost. The most noticeable difference was in how much cooler the engines ran. I do not know if it is because the oil dissapates the heat that much better or because the oil reduces friction so well. For a couple of bucks on a few quarts I think it worth the difference.
Synthetic oil is good stuff
The synthetics are definitely superior. I've built a lot of engines and you can really tell the difference when you take them back apart. However, one thing you don't want to do is use synthetic in a new engine, as it is so slick that a proper break-in won't occur and the rings won't seat. Go through the break-in proccedure with standard oil and once you're sure the motor is good to go then switch over to the synth stuff. And yes, it will increase mileage and horsepower, on non-computer controlled cars, you often have to turn the idle down just a bit as it will idle faster due to the 'slippryness' of synth after you put it in.
The synthetics are definitely superior. I've built a lot of engines and you can really tell the difference when you take them back apart. However, one thing you don't want to do is use synthetic in a new engine, as it is so slick that a proper break-in won't occur and the rings won't seat. Go through the break-in proccedure with standard oil and once you're sure the motor is good to go then switch over to the synth stuff. And yes, it will increase mileage and horsepower, on non-computer controlled cars, you often have to turn the idle down just a bit as it will idle faster due to the 'slippryness' of synth after you put it in.
Although i love synthetics in gas engines...
I have used synthetics in all of my gas vehicles for years and both Volvo and Mercedes recomend it. The only thing I would caution you on is that you still should change your oil every 30 to 50 hours with a diesel so with the extra cost of synthetics why bother. The other note of caution is that many, many gas a diesel engines develop serious oil leaks after being converted to synthetics. It seems to attack the seals differently than conventional or maybe it is so slipery that it finds its way out of weak spots in the gaskets. My friend converted his Yanmar that was bone dry with 1100 hours to synthetic and by 1130 hours it was leaking oil from two different locations. I would not have beleived it if I had not been the one to help him change the oil when he converted. He had leaks at the valve cover & oil pan. My advice would be to spend the money on a good electric 12V oil change pump and change it more freequently with Rotella or Dello diesel grade oil. I change mine every 30 hours and after what I witnessed on my friends engine I would not switch.
I have used synthetics in all of my gas vehicles for years and both Volvo and Mercedes recomend it. The only thing I would caution you on is that you still should change your oil every 30 to 50 hours with a diesel so with the extra cost of synthetics why bother. The other note of caution is that many, many gas a diesel engines develop serious oil leaks after being converted to synthetics. It seems to attack the seals differently than conventional or maybe it is so slipery that it finds its way out of weak spots in the gaskets. My friend converted his Yanmar that was bone dry with 1100 hours to synthetic and by 1130 hours it was leaking oil from two different locations. I would not have beleived it if I had not been the one to help him change the oil when he converted. He had leaks at the valve cover & oil pan. My advice would be to spend the money on a good electric 12V oil change pump and change it more freequently with Rotella or Dello diesel grade oil. I change mine every 30 hours and after what I witnessed on my friends engine I would not switch.
Synthetic experience
I have run the same brand of synthetic in most of my machinery for the last 14 years. My cars (5) have 1 year oil change intervals (with normal filter change intervals); motorcycles, outboards, and even my air compressor get the appropriate oils and lubes. Additionally, I provide motor and transmission oil for a friend who races a Street Stock dirt track car (season champion). Last year he ran 16 races on the same oil - unheard of in a situation where oil is normally changed every race or two. The engine builder could not believe the condition of the bearings (used them this year too) and other wearing parts when the engine was torn down. Diesel-specific oils of the same brand frequently go over a hundred thousand miles between changes, using special "by-pass" filters that take out extremely small contamination particles. Yes, it costs a lot more per quart, because it is "built" to a performance standard, not down to a competitive price ($1.50 - $2.00). You can spend from $3.50 to $7.50 a quart for a synthetic. If it is my engine, it gets the very best (and most expensive.) Yes, it will find weak spots in gaskets - it penetrates better than petroleum oils. If you keep it clean, you can run it almost indefinitely, because the molecules don't degrade. The best benefit it gives, in my opinion, is not the fuel savings nor the extended change intervals, but the added life of the engine.
I have run the same brand of synthetic in most of my machinery for the last 14 years. My cars (5) have 1 year oil change intervals (with normal filter change intervals); motorcycles, outboards, and even my air compressor get the appropriate oils and lubes. Additionally, I provide motor and transmission oil for a friend who races a Street Stock dirt track car (season champion). Last year he ran 16 races on the same oil - unheard of in a situation where oil is normally changed every race or two. The engine builder could not believe the condition of the bearings (used them this year too) and other wearing parts when the engine was torn down. Diesel-specific oils of the same brand frequently go over a hundred thousand miles between changes, using special "by-pass" filters that take out extremely small contamination particles. Yes, it costs a lot more per quart, because it is "built" to a performance standard, not down to a competitive price ($1.50 - $2.00). You can spend from $3.50 to $7.50 a quart for a synthetic. If it is my engine, it gets the very best (and most expensive.) Yes, it will find weak spots in gaskets - it penetrates better than petroleum oils. If you keep it clean, you can run it almost indefinitely, because the molecules don't degrade. The best benefit it gives, in my opinion, is not the fuel savings nor the extended change intervals, but the added life of the engine.
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