vfm@ihu1f.UUCP (09/01/83)
In response to Carl, U.C. San Diego:
I'm not sure what "film" other than varnish or sludge that may form
from petroleum oil use. All the test results I have read do not
reveal any "invisible" film. There is a test for film/shear
strength, this ASTM (Automotive Society of Testing Methods)
(federal government) test procedure is performed by putting a
lubricant between two pieces of metal and seeing how much pressure
it takes to squeeze it out. The best conventional petroleum oils
run 400 - 700 psi, synthetics ~3200 psi, yes, 3200! As far as
"rattling around" goes (?), my only suggestion is don't use a 5W-XX
(Mobil 1) weight lubricant. I would recommend a 10W-40 or 20W-50
racing synthetic (AMSOIL has both). These products are used by
many bike riders (Harleys to Hondas), including those with wet
clutches. Although "slipperier" the coefficient of friction of
them will not cause a properly adjusted, good clutch to slip.
Fred Eklow, manager/chairman of BI Wheel Express, a motorcycle
courier service in Cincinnati switched his 4-cycle Suzukis to
AMSOIL. Since the switch he noticed "improvements in operating
temperatures, fewer repairs, better gas MPG and improved life of
internal parts".
Oil consumption:
If anything, your oil consumption should go down when switching to
a synthetic because:
1. They do a better job of sealing, especially in high
temperature areas (rings & etc), this has been proven with
before and after compression tests.
2. When conventional petroleum oils near their limit (~300 - 350
F) they oxidized quite rapidly. When your oil reaches these
temperatures it will start to evaporate and via the PVC
system "burn". Repeated or sustained periods at these
temperatures will result in a "thickening". This action is
quite similar to the manufacturing process that created it
(refinement, a distillation procedure).
Synthetic lubricants can "easily" sustain these temperatures
and surpass then by a 100 F and more. Not only being able to
take the heat better, because of the reduced friction and
thermal conductivity, temperature reductions have been
measured where ever these products have been used.
Note: When switching to a synthetic make sure your engine is
mechanically sound and not all sludged up. Synthetics will clean
things up and loosen up sludge deposits. You're better off by
using a flush procedure(s) first. This is very important, if not
you may be opening a big can of worms (or many cans of oil for
sure).
Vern Metzger