Re:Synthetic Oil alfa-digest V7 #682

[Alan Lambert <gerard@domain.elided>]

Michael--Since you seem to know the subject, what about the Motul claim 
that, because their synthetic is made solely from esters, it is better 
for racing purposes?


On Mon, 3 May 1999, C M Smith wrote:

> I too have not been able to post to the digest by replying as instructed to
> alfa-digest@domain.elided. Trying the "reply" to the digest option, here goes.
> 
> Contrary to popular assumption, Synthetic oil is not actually synthetic in
> the usual sense of the word, as in Nazi Germany synthetic which was
> produced from rubber or coal oil. Rather, it refers to "de constructing"
> regular petroleum oil into various components and re assembling these into
> a lubricant with the desired characteristics, Synthesizing if you will.
> 
> By doing so the oil engineers remove most of the undesirable waxy
> components and build a lubricant with superior viscosity characteristics,
> etc. This is one reason synthetics can have such wide viscosity ratings
> without the usual drawbacks. Synthetic 5W 50 is much superior to 20W 50
> conventional oil, for example.
> 
> Furthermore, because "synthetic" is just petroleum oil there are no
> compatibility problems with mixing with conventional oils, in fact Castrol
> for one makes a blended synthetic which combines some synthetic with
> conventional oils giving you some of the superior characteristics of
> synthetic with lower costs of conventional oil. As usual, mixing the two
> also involves compromising the full performance of synthetic.
> 
> Go ahead and do the synthetic thing and don't worry about the half liter or
> so of conventional oil remaining in the sump, bearings, cylinder walls and
> various nooks and crannies. After 2 or 3 changes almost no conventional oil
> will remain in the engine. Almost the full benefits of synthetic will be
> present at the first oil change, particularly because Alfa's have enormous
> sump capacity by modern standards.
> 
> Major advantages of synthetics include vastly superior cold start
> protection, including substantially reduced loads on the starter and
> battery (we know up here in Canada, I once left my baby out over 24 hours
> at below -30 C and she started instantly, if somewhat unhappily) and
> significantly better protection at high operating temperatures and engine
> loads.
> 
>  If your engine uses oil, particularly past the intake guides, expect
> increased oil consumption as synthetics actually run very thin for a given
> viscosity rating. My 164 has used Selenia 10W 40 (Italian synthetic) from
> new and uses about one liter for 4000km at 105,000 km. My present mechanic
> has recommended I try Agip Racing 5W 50 so we'll see if the consumption
> increases. Castrol makes Syntec 5W 50 which is popular up here and both
> Quaker State and Pennzoil make fine products as does the original at the
> game, Mobil who apparently has a 0W 50 available in some markets!!! Must
> flow like water.
> 
> Hope this info is of interest 
> 
> Michael Smith
> Calgary, Alberta
> Canada
> 
> 91 164L ( yes, done the stepper motors, done the transmission bearing, had
> the car from new and can't bear to part with it, I think!)
> 
> 

================================================================================
Regards,
Alan G. Lambert___________________________________<gerard@domain.elided>
           *******Los Altos, California (office)*******

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