yeah, so I use WAL-MART motor oil

[STARION]

yep, I use wal-mart motor oil (super tech) because its a dozen quarts for $10. I'm wondering what the big deal is about synthetics and why everyone makes such a huge fuss about using them. Sure, maybe if you just paid 2k for a brand new ball bearing turbo, I could see how you would want to use the synthetic. I am wondering though, if using a synyhetic has been proven to prolong the life of a turbo? Even if it does, I have a feeling that, in most cases, the cost difference of the oils probably ends up being enough money saved to buy a new (mitsu) turbo that much sooner (I.E. Is regular is more cost effective?) Anyways, I only have a 16G that I got for $200 and I have no worries about using this cheap azz WAL-MART "junk". I have a nice big oil cooler and am not really too concerned about the oil, I just change it every 3k and it goes fine. I think this synthetic oil thing is sort of like the turbo timer thing, There is absolutely no proof that turbos that were "cooled down" with turbo timers lasted any longer than cars that just get shut off "hot".

The reason I bring this oil thing is because I have torn down motors with the same number of miles, that used synthetic and that used junk $1/quart oil and they looked exactly the same, one, just as full of sludge as the other. One, just as worn out and beaten as the other......go figure.

 

[98TsiAWD]

supertech is made by pennzoil, its fine. Just not synthetic.

 

[Black95GSX]

::shudder:: pennzoil..... ::shudder:: .... I hate that oil......

Turbo timers do make a difference.


What they do is keep the oil flowing through the turbo as the system cools down (after pushing it hard/racing). If you've ever shut the car off while the turbo is glowing, that will damage your turbo.

You will not notice the efficts right away, but over time you will see problems.

I see turbos frequently that died because the owner boosted the hell out of the car on a daily basis, then shut the car off. The oil that was trapped inside the turbo at the time had no choice but to "coke" -- causeing problems with the center section.

I am actually getting rid of my turbo timer..... but that is because I rarely boost the car in city anymore (too many cops...) and when I do boost I give the car enough time to cool down properly before shutting it off.

 

[insane147]

if you think turbo timers are junk, go to your local truck repair shop and witness how many turbo shafts seize and split in half. i was doing atleast one a day. granted truck turbos are under near constant load from a much hotter ignition source, but the fact is you must let the turbo cool down or it WILL catch up to you. sort of like drinking moutain dew and not brushing your teeth. you wont notice it till its too late. as for the oil your using, it should be fine just as long as changed every 3k, even the trucks use the cheap crap.

 

[STARION]

uh huh, I do understand the benefits of a turbo timer......I just mean about how at least 90% of the people who have them, don't actually need them. Being that very few run insane boost on their cars all the way into the driveway and shut the car off right away, in all reality, it takes less than a non-boosted trip around the block to prevent coking before shutdown. Absolutely, some people must have the timers, but most don't need them (heck, some buy em because its "cool" and they like to show it off). I am just saying how it is probably a similar situation with the synthetic oil........Its like its a nice thing to have (and, absolutely, it has benefits) and everyone else uses it, but in all reality, its not a requirement. I just needed a situation to compare it to.........not looking for a discussion on turbo timers, just wondering if anyone has the oil info I was looking for.

 

[xleRateGSX]

Why don't you be the test subject and sit on your engine or heat shield after you take your car down to the market and back. There were cold night at the illegals that I could pop my hood and sit on my bumper and it would simulate being at home and next to the fire. Eh...

 

[RamenPride]

i bought a case of Supertech 10W-30 synthetic one time. on one of the labels on the box, said something about being manufactured by Quaker State

 

[98TsiAWD]

Originally posted by RamenPride
i bought a case of Supertech 10W-30 synthetic one time. on one of the labels on the box, said something about being manufactured by Quaker State

Quaker State & Pennzoil are the same thing.

 

[tsilover]

I don't know if this is true, but i heard that if u start out with nonsynthetic and move to synthetic, it begins to corrode your gaskets. Again, i don't know if this is true but its just what i've heard.

 

[greathuskie]

if you move to synthetic it will just expose any leaks....

 

[badas93tsi]

Someone told me if you put synthetic oil in a new motor, it wont allow it to break in properly. ??????

 

[DrZiplok]

Someone told me that if I use synthetic oil in my hair instead of Crisco I'll sound more like Elvis.

Yeesh. 8)

 

[CvicKila02]

It is definatly good not to use synthetic oil when breaking in a car motor. You should run a heavyier oil through your engine while breaking it in, then u can move to a synthetic later. I know for a fact because me and my friend just finished putting a Z24 engine w/ a T3/T4 turbo back together.

 

[Agent Ezzard]

It is definatly good not to use synthetic oil when breaking in a car motor. You should run a heavyier oil through your engine while breaking it in, then u can move to a synthetic later. I know for a fact because me and my friend just finished putting a Z24 engine w/ a T3/T4 turbo back together.

so you're saying an all natural 10w30 has a higher viscosity than a synthetic 10w30?

 

[CvicKila02]

Synthetic oil if i am correct and i think i am has smaller lubercating particles in it hence the synthetic (man made). regular oil doesnt' have this. To prove this if i was to put synthetic oil in my blazer right now which has a slight oil leak it would pour out if i put synthetic in it. This is because synthetic oil particles are very very tiny compared to natural/ regular oil. Wisemen am i wrong???

 

[Agent Ezzard]

Originally posted by CvicKila02
Synthetic oil if i am correct and i think i am has smaller lubercating particles in it hence the synthetic (man made). regular oil doesnt' have this. To prove this if i was to put synthetic oil in my blazer right now which has a slight oil leak it would pour out if i put synthetic in it. This is because synthetic oil particles are very very tiny compared to natural/ regular oil. Wisemen am i wrong???

I am no wiseman but I am a chemistry student. The molecules in conventional oils are not consistant. They have larger and smaller molecules. Synthetics are consistant when it comes to molecule size. Synthetics flow at lower temperatures better than conventionals and wont break down as much as conventionals at higher temperatures. The rumour of leaky seals and synthetics has to do with the basestocks used in early synthetics react with seals and gaskets which caused them to contract therefore breaking the seal created by that gasket. Now oil companies have to blend in an additive to maintain proper seal swellage. There's a little education for you. It's not hearsay, it's proven chemistry.