Aeroshell W100 vs Phillips Victory Oil SAE 50

[GregR]

Thoughts on which is better. Anyone have experiences with the Phillips oil? Looking for the best single weight oil for a continental io-520. Both appear to be very similar when I look at spec sheets but I may be missing something. Phillips has a corrosion additive the W100 does not. Aeroshell w100+ has a corrosion additive, but other concerns with the W100+ oil so I won’t use that.

Not interested on 20w50 weight. Need single weight based on flying in the hot south.

https://phillips66lubricants.com/product/victory-aviation-oil-100aw/

Thanks.

 

[ripcord]

What does Lycoming or Continental (or whoever made your motor) prefer or recommend? Are there common problems experienced by your motor that can be affected by the oil choice?

 

[Taildragger]

I think Aviation Consumer News tested many and deemed Phillips 20w50 with CamGuard as good as any and the most cost effective. Nothing wrong with with 20w50 here in SW Florida.
There was a time that I was flying two almost identical Citabrias, both had the same engines and approximately the same times. One was always serviced with Aeroshell W100 and the other with Phillips 20W50. The one with 20W50 had instant oil pressure unlike the the AeroshellW100. Will that make any difference over the lifetime of an engine? I don't know.

 

[BusyLittleShop]

The one with 20W50 had instant oil pressure unlike the the AeroshellW100. Will that make any difference over the lifetime of an engine? I don't know.

During start up 104ºF before warm up 212ºF the 20W50 flows quicker than W100 and thus instant oil pressure... the thinking is the quicker the oil flow during start up the less wear...

As you know oils are only graded on flow in cSt (centi stokes) and they are not graded on thickness in inches nor weight in ounces...

1 cSt is the flow of water

2000 cSt is the flow of honey

Phillips 20W50 (50 grade)
176 cSt @ 104°F
19.1 cSt @ 212°F

AeroShell Oil W100 (50 grade)
200cSt @ 104ºF
20.2cSt @ 212ºF

 

[GregR]

Appreciate the info. There are all kinds of opinions out there and folks are using various options.

Savvy Aviation’s position is here.
https://www.savvyaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/savvy_pdf/Savvy-Oil-Recommendations.pdf

Mike Busch also wrote this about w100 saying he prefers mineral oil. https://resources.savvyaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/articles_eaa/EAA_2011-01_all-about-oil.pdf

Bob Riley of ABS recommends 20w50

Ram aircraft engines recommends w100/sae50 weight
https://www.avweb.com/ownership/which-oil-should-i-use/

Continental says is warm weather sae50/cooler weather muliweight

I have no issues now using w100 and my starter adapter is fine.

I can’t find any Victory sae50 vs w100 reviews where someone ran both, had lab analysis, etc. Victory is not mineral based so maybe this is why Mike Busch doesn’t mention this compared to w100.

 

[Taildragger]

Also remember that the Lycoming LW-16702 (anti scuff) was was only applicable to certain models as they were know to have some lifter issues. Although it is not detrimental to other engines, it is not a requirement. Your Continental has the camshaft and lifters submerged in oil at rest therefor having much less of a corrosion issue than Lycomings.


This is from Lycomings website, "The use of LW-16702 is required in certain engine models. These models are the 0-320-H, O-360-E, LO-360-E, TO-360-E, LTO- 360-E, TIO and TIGO-541."

 

[BusyLittleShop]

Appreciate the info. There are all kinds of opinions out there and folks are using various options.

You're welcome... the use of various oil options reaching TBO means
longevity is not so oil related... As Mike Busch pointed out corrosion is
the No. 1 reason that piston aircraft engines fail to make TBO. We
almost never wear these engines out; we rust them out. This is a big
problem in the owner-flown fleet, because owner-flown airplanes tend
to fly irregularly. Working airplanes that fly every day or two
almost always make TBO rust free.

 

[Cujet]

My experience is as follows. The dislike for Aeroshell 15W-50 may be misplaced as there are clearly situations where it works well. Not only does it have corrosion inhibitors in it, but it can help prevent or at least reduce exhaust valve sticking in Lycoming engines and reduce turbocharger coking on any brand. The 15W-50 will also result in a cleaner engine and easy cold starts.

But in the end, I don't think we can expect any commonly available aviation piston engine oil to extend engine life. Best to change frequently.