RE: WOB oil changes

["Gilbert, Clark" <Clark_Gilbert@xxxxxxx>]

	[Clark Gilbert]  Just to fan the flames, Caterpillar and many
other engine manufacturers of large oil-burners  - literally!! - have
added the option where you NEVER change the engine oil. Small doses are
constantly introduced into the fuel injectors and burned. The operator
merely keeps topping up the oil level and changing the filters. 

	I understand that you state that the more that one changes the
oil, the less wear your engine will incur. Separate that, though, from
cost effective operation. My guess is that there is some safety factor
in good oil. The lubricating value may start to degrade immediately, but
not below the required values for safe operation for some time period.
Some contaminants are introduced as soon as you start it up, but when
does that first grain of sand large enough to score a bearing come in?
Initially, or is it a matter of bad luck? Since my favorite definition
of an engineer is someone who can do what any guy off the street can do,
but at half the cost, I don't think that any good engineer that I know
would agree that changing oil every weekend wold be cost effective.
Therefore, there is a debate, not on whether to change oil, but how
often. And yes, there is a difference of opinion among us engineers. 

	Following from Chris - 

> Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 00:44:25 EDT
> From: ChrisBourk@domain.elided
> Subject: Re: WOB oil changes
> 
> In a message dated 98-09-28 15:58:27 EDT, you write:
> 
> << 
>  Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 14:50:22 -0400
>  From: "Mudry, Robert (CAP, AMR)" <rob.mudry@domain.elided>
>  Subject: Re: how much to change the oil
>  
>  Christopher snaps at Jim Ochi...
>  
>  Jim,I appreciate your desire to invote lurkers to respond but please
> only
>  postgood information.To my knowlege there is really no debate as to
> how
>  often to change oil - it'ssimple, the more you change the oil, the
> less wear
>  from abrasives andcontaminants. This is not a subjective/opinion/x/y
> axis
>  answer, the more youchange the oil the longer the engine will last -
> PERIOD.
>  This is with allother condions equal. 
> 
> This isn't rocket science and I maintain there is NO difference of
> opinion
> about this umong engineers.  Yea,  I do think it's that simple.
> 
> Christopher
> 

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