chains and 5w-20

[nicholas]

Hey guys
I am wondering what auto manuf's spec 5w-20 for their engines, that use a chain system for the cam's ?

I am really interested in using a good 5w-20 weight , but Im worried that it will effect the timing chain longivety ?

thanks

 

[Matt89]

Both my hondas (CRV and Civic) have timing chains, and specify 5W-20. I'm using the Motorcraft 5W-20 in them.

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

Ford is speccing the 5W20 on all their V-8s now, and I believe all of those have chains..

Chains ARE hard on the oil, though, are they not?

 

[Titan]

Sure, chains are hard on oil. That's another reason you might want to use 5w-20 in the chained cars spec'd for 5w-20, because SM rated 5w-20 is such a darned-good oil!

 

[Chris Meutsch]

I have a 2005 CR-V with the chain. It has 12,800 on it. Been using syn since 4k. Will continue to use syn until it doesn't make sense anymore, approx. 250k.

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

Well, you reached the point Chris, with the 4K oci, that it doesn't make sense anymore....

 

[tripleM]

^^^
Chuckle

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

M! No. Va, eh?

Herndon, here..

 

[BrianWC]

I can't keep oil in my CR-V that long, even though I know it's fine. That's why I went from 5k M1 to 3-4k Formula Shell and GTX. I know they're fine when I dump them as well, but I just can't help myself.

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

Tis ok, I get, myself, although the tree-huggers will be along to bemoan the waste of oil. YOU, however, must have an easy car to change. I stretch Dino to 5K, and I'm plotting a GC 10K OCI for the winter..

MY car is a nightmare for OCI.

 

[BrianWC]

CR-V and saab 9-5. Saab's very easy. CR-V..filter is a tad tricky but not as bad as everyone makes it out to be....

 

[deven]

mazda's also use timing chain and spec 5w20

 

[JTK]

The old school pushrod 3.8L in my 2001 ford windstar has a chain driven cam and has seen nothing but 5w-20 for it's 70Kmi. She's still very quiet and smooth & looks spotless thru the oil filler hole. She has seen a few years of LC though.

Joel

 

[JHZR2]

In the MB diesel world, many mark the 'stretch' of their timing chain regularly... I wonder if anyone has done an analysis of stretch with respect to mileage running some set of engines on 5w-20. It would be a relatively simple test bed to do a comparisson and determine which does what, and get a general wear rate comparisson.

I'd imagine that since many a 5w30 spent a good portion of its life as a 5w-20, that chain systems are OK running on 20wt oil... Id also assume that additives ight have some sort of large effect on wear rates that create 'stretch'.

JMH

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

Quote:

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The old school pushrod 3.8L in my 2001 ford windstar has a chain driven cam and has seen nothing but 5w-20 for it's 70Kmi. She's still very quiet and smooth & looks spotless thru the oil filler hole. She has seen a few years of LC though.

---

Pretty good she is!

Can't say the same for my ex wife!

 

[JTK]

Quote:

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...Pretty good she is!

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Yeah, maybe a poor choice of words with the spotless thru the filler hole thing!

Joel

 

[Titan]

Keep in mind that "stretch", when referred to in chains, is actually "wear". It's not that the metal elongates, it's that the connecting pins begin to become worn, increasing the clearances between the pin and the chain link...so, the total chain becomes nominally longer. SO, if you can prevent wear, you don't have a "stretching" chain...another good reason to use an appropriate lubricant.

 

[Ron AKA]

Agree that chains don't stretch. From having a number of motorcycles you find that out pretty quick, even the ones inside the engine and in an oil bath.

ILSAC is considering the addition of a chain wear test for GF-5.

"Japanese automakers have indicated concern with the ability of today’s GF-4 oils to lubricate timing chains effectively. Several Japanese companies have developed chain-wear tests and are using them in Japan. Adapting one of these tests for GF-5 could reduce duplication and save money."

http://www.imakenews.com/lng/e_article000391658.cfm?x=b11,0,w

 

[JohnBrowning]

If the chain materials are properly selected and heat treated then their is probably little harm. Now what we really need is for a manufacture like Toyota to tell us all of the area's they had to make changes in to make 5W20 work. Rember their TSB contained a warning about not useing 5W20 or 0W20 in vechiles not recomended it as early powertrain failures could occur.It could be a matter of materials, heat treatment,oil capacity,squiter etc.....we really do not know!

 

[Ron AKA]

Quote:

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If the chain materials are properly selected and heat treated then their is probably little harm. Now what we really need is for a manufacture like Toyota to tell us all of the area's they had to make changes in to make 5W20 work. Rember their TSB contained a warning about not useing 5W20 or 0W20 in vechiles not recomended it as early powertrain failures could occur.It could be a matter of materials, heat treatment,oil capacity,squiter etc.....we really do not know!

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Curious. What kind of chains are they using in Japanese designs? Hy-Vo chains are pretty durable and have been used for many years without problems in American engines. Roller chains are another issue and are not as reliable.

Any as anyone knows who has had one, belt drives are a sad excuse for a chain drive. Towed two vehicles home as a result of not replacing them soon enough.