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    Oil usage in newer cars

    Not ideal but I don't consider that high. Zero or near-zero oil consumption is something you can get lucky with but can't be counted on from a new, run-of-the-mill consumer car. Especially if you only follow the recommended OCI's and, in some cases, oil spec. I bought a Chevy Cruze new in...
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    High Mileage GMC Sierra 2500

    A lot of vehicles don't need more than their value (or, especially, replacement cost) spent on them to get where that truck is at, in the shape it's in. The operator just needs to understand what causes critical wear/what doesn't, what's money wasted on maintenance and what isn't, and realize...
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    Having a non-car person other half - the things they do.

    I have to think they are comprehensively the better for it.
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    Particulate and Lubricity analysis for black diesel?

    Black diesel is one name for waste motor oil turned into fuel.
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    Particulate and Lubricity analysis for black diesel?

    Looking for recommendations where to send a sample from my first batch of black diesel to get some data on how well my setup is filtering, and the lubricity (HFRR) of my initial blend. Suggestions?
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    1985 Mercedes 300D OM617, Valvoline Blue 10w30 @ 5K mi.

    The fear of a thinner oil is that it doesn't keep a good enough oil film between the parts to prevent metal/metal contact. That the wear numbers are so consistent between high-quality 5W40's and the 30 weights indicates that's not a concern in this engine. The blacked out column is an old...
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    1985 Mercedes 300D OM617, Valvoline Blue 10w30 @ 5K mi.

    Second run of a 10w30 in this engine, continuing to debunk the fear of 30 weights and thin 40 weights in these engines. Other columns (L to R) are Schaeffer's 5/40, M1 euro 0/40, Schaeffer's 5/40 in my other 617, and T5 10/30.
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    Proper oil for older engine

    Rotella T4/5, Valvoline Blue, or Motorcraft (all diesel formulations) 10w30, 15w40 if it burns quite a bit. Those have enough zinc, with more appropriate additives for daily use and cleaning up/keeping the engine clean than "classic" or "racing" oils. Cheaper and, in most places, easier to find...
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    5w20 for high mileage Honda?

    I'd just give it a steady diet of any of the name-brand high-mileage oils (Valvoline maxlife or max life synthetic would be my choice) in 5w20 or 5w30, changed at about 80% of the OLM's suggestion. No, the OLM can't tell anything about the oil - at best, depending on the car, it keeps track of...
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    Selection of a Racor Diesel Filter

    I've worked on about 50 W123 and 115/124/126 diesels and some rust in the filler neck is very common. If the clear filter isn't filling up with any flecks of stuff there's no reason to think it's rusty down in the tank. The lift pumps are extremely durable and the factory spin-on filter is 10...
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    Mercedes 300D, 5,300 mi. on Mobil1 euro 0w40

    Pretty much! IMHO 20w50 is excessively thick for these engines now that oil tech is what it is - lots of them ran on it back in the day, but with UOA's like this on 30 and 40 weights, why burden the motor with extra viscosity and heat retention. This is my lowest mileage one - wifey's wagon has...
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    Mercedes 300D, 5,300 mi. on Mobil1 euro 0w40

    I have two of the turbo/auto's, and one N/A 4-speed. Always keeping my eye out for a 5-speed to pop up!
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    Mercedes 300D, 5,300 mi. on Mobil1 euro 0w40

    Since Walmart has had bay boxes of this oil out on the retail shelves lately, I tried it in my OM617. The right column was T5 10w30, under slightly harder usage because I was driving the car more on that OCI vs. my wife on this one. :p While some points look better, concerning a normal OCI it...
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    2003 Windstar U1043

    Just replaced the intermediate intake (between the "lid" and the aluminum lower intake) to address a lean code on both banks. Upon test-driving, the "check transmission" and "check advancetrac" messages flash on the dash and it throws U1043 after 2-3 mi. driving, repeatedly - still runs and...
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    Thoughts on Amsoil HD Metal Protector

    I've used it in localized areas underneath a few cars, and even spraying over rust it visibly slowed it down for at least 3-4 months. Expensive, but good stuff.
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    1978 manual recommends 10 or 20W oil for stick shift?

    This was one of my suspicions, especially considering the changes in motor oils since the 80's that have made them slicker, etc.
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    1978 manual recommends 10 or 20W oil for stick shift?

    It's a euro-spec car, supposedly brought over from the Netherlands in '84. Still has its original bumpers, headlights, and license plate! Cloth interior, manual climate control w/o air conditioning, no cruise or tinted glass, and I believe it didn't even have a radio originally.
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    1978 manual recommends 10 or 20W oil for stick shift?

    Looking through the owner's manual for my '78 Mercedes 300D, with a 4-speed manual trans. the recommended oil is a 10 or 20W engine oil. Later manuals (early 80's) call for ATF. Having already drained the fluid of the Dex/Merc ATF I put in when I got the car, I found some Supertech SAE30 rated...
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    1992 Mercedes 300D, OM602 - 5,300 mi. Schaeffer's 9000 5w40

    First UOA I've done on this engine, but I was surprised. Runs excellent, has normal oil pressure, uses less than a quart between 5K intervals - mostly steady highway driving. Not original to the car, but if the seller was correct it has a bit over 450K on it at this point. Comments? Is it...
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    '16 Silverado Transmission woes

    10K seems pretty excessive, but the fluid was changed at least twice in that 95K. Ram02, the torque converter shudder/ailure on these boxes is very common.
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