Originally Posted by
gordon field
The problem was more with the specification of the oil as at that time multi grades were in their infancy and the specifications were based on technology that was then 50+ years old. Sadly we still suffer from such attitudes.
Ah, oil, my favorite subject.
Multi grade oils are great, but they are not the ‘be all, and end all’ - ‘one size fits all’.
I use both Phillips XC20W50 and AeroShell 15w50 in Winter.
The W does stand for Winter after all.
The AeroShell along with the Exxon Elite brand are semi-synthetics.
The Phillips isn’t but it is much cheaper.
Does it make a difference, no not really.
But once my stock of Phillips XC is used up, I’m unlikely to buy more.
I get my oil from a distributor at the same price an airport would pay.
And a Twenty spot isn’t going to break the bank, so I upgrade to the semi.
Which brings me to, where and when I’d use multi weight.
US in Winter time, and likely all year round in Northern Europe.
But not in Summer in Southern Europe or the US.
In these conditions a straight weight oil is better.
I use Phillips Victory W100 and AeroShell 80 Plus depending on temperature.
The Phillips has the Lycoming additive in it.
The AeroShell has the Plus.
Exactly what the Plus is, I”m not sure.
But I’m not taking any chances.
I still use 5% CamGuard as a precautionary measure.
Obviously seals and gaskets dry up with age.
But CamGuard is also a conditioner.
I zero timed my engine.
Now I or somebody with my last name is going to run the thing out again.
Come he’ll or high water, I’ll drag it kicking and screaming to at least TBO.
And most likely far beyond.
I own two cars. One has 240,000 and the other 155,000 miles.
With correct maintenance they will do a whole lot more.
Flight schools do not change their oil but every 50 hours, and run leaded AvGas.
Personally I much prefer unleaded AutoGas.
I don’t think I’ll have any valve problems.
The next advancement will be semi synthetic straight weight oils.
Can’t wait !
So with the advent of modern lubricants, why can’t recommended TBO’s go to 3000 hours and 15 years?