"Flex brew" HDEO

Gary Allan · Nov 4, 2004

Okay ..I've seen so many odd home brews here that I decided to come up with one on my own. Many of the critics of the "home brew" point out the oil company postings that advise against mixing brands of oils ..so I wanted to ease these members anxieties ..and some don't like heavy weights ..I took care of them too. Many of us are exploring the substantial fortitude of the HDEOs ...so I've come up with "flex brew".

I just ordered a 5 gallon bucket of 10w Pennzoil LL. It's actually a 10w-20. Now I can just pick up a gallon or two of the 15w-40 LL and "blend as needed". If I find that a 4:1 mix of 10w to 15-40 produces too much consumption ...blend it up. If 15w-40 consumes too much fuel or produces too much start up noise...blend it down.

Flex brew ..a reactive oil for all seasons ..custom blended by you the end user.

[ November 05, 2004, 01:35 AM: Message edited by: Gary Allan ]

Palut · Nov 4, 2004

That's a very good idea. Motorcraft 5W-20 and 15W-40 seems like a very good, and very cheap combination too.

427Z06 · Nov 4, 2004

Why do I get the feeling that you're gonna burn in Hades if you don't use the same brand of the grade your manual recommends with the stock spec-ed filter bought from the stealership.

Gary Allan · Nov 4, 2004

quote:

Why do I get the feeling that you're gonna burn in Hades if you don't use the same brand of the grade your manual recommends with the stock spec-ed filter bought from the stealership.

Ah, yes, I ponder such things myself. But this is an attempt at an exorcism of the demons within one of my flock.The plauged soul 10w Delo appears to be the only cure in the past. Even the vererable MC 5w-20 failed. In the ignorance of my lubrication youth ...I feared that such a light weight would be sure death for any engine through consumption and fatigue ..but in my enlightenment found that the lowly 10w was actually a 20 weight of distinction. Adaquately supported by it's stouter kin, as needed, ...should be able to hold the darkness within this engine at bay.

SAE Viscosity Grade SAE J300 10W

CF Gravity Specific @ 60°F(15.6°C) ASTM D-287 0.877 °API 29.7
Pounds per Gallon 7.33

Flash Point, °C(°F) Min. ASTM D-92 205(400)

Pour Point, °C(°F). -36 (-33)

ColorASTMD-15004.0 4.04.5

Viscosity
@ 40°C, cSt ASTM D-445 38
@ 100°C, cSt ASTM D-445 6.5

Viscosity Index ASTM D-2270 126

High Temperature/High Shear Vis., cP ASTM D-4683 2.4
Low Temperature Viscosity Vis (cP) at Temperature (°C) ASTM D-2602

7,000 max @-25

Low-Temperature Pumping, cP. (°C) ASTM D-4684 60,000max @-30 Sulfated Ash Content, % wt. ASTM D-874
Shear Stability, % Vis Loss DIN Method NA -- Total Base Number ASTM D-2896 7

Sopus for all Pennzoil and QS tech data sheets

jthorner · Nov 4, 2004

There are so many good oils available off the shelf in a wide variety of weights that I will never understand the blend-your-own subculture.

Oh well

.

John

Gary Allan · Nov 4, 2004

Can you find a 10w-20 on the shelf in the above specs??

Flex brew ...it's available right now, at most of your finer retail outlets. (memories of the Retro-Encabulator)

Flex Brew ® and Flex Blend ® are registered trademarks of Flexlube Corporation.

[ November 05, 2004, 12:23 PM: Message edited by: Gary Allan ]

pbm · Nov 5, 2004

the last time I was in Tractor Supply I noticed that either Mystik or Traveller have a straight 20 weight that meets SL spec. How would this oil work in a late model Ford or Honda that calls for 5w20. (I am asking about the idea of using it in the warmer months when the 5W is not needed.) Any thoughts?

Gary Allan · Nov 5, 2004

I uncertain why not ..I'm sure someone will chime in here. I think that you need to compare the actual visc rating vs. the SAE rating to assure that you've got the same operating temp visc. They appear to vary somewhat. There's also 20 weight and 20w-20.

Mystik appears to be a Chevron product.

My 10w-(20) just cost me $31.97 for 5 gallons. $1.60 a quart. More expensive than 5w-20 MC ..but about par for other HDEO.

Hit the Sopus link I have up top there. There you can compare Shell, Pennzoil, and ..err QS oils. I think that they all have either a straight 20 weight or 20W-20 available in the 5 gallon amount. Take a look at the 100C viscs and see how they compare to your 5w-20.

For some reason ...I feel (cue strange music) that someone is going to ruin your fun and say that it isn't that simple.

Palut · Nov 5, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by Gary Allan:
For some reason ...I feel (cue strange music) that someone is going to ruin your fun and say that it isn't that simple.

A homebrew's viscosity wouldn't need to be exact would it?

A thinner version of a 15W-40 HDEO is all we're looking for. For someone like me, who can't find 10W-30 HDEO's over the counter, it seems like a little brew like that would do the trick.

Gary Allan · Nov 5, 2004

quote:

A homebrew's viscosity wouldn't need to be exact would it? A thinner version of a 15W-40 HDEO is all we're looking for. For someone like me, who can't find 10W-30 HDEO's over the counter, it seems like a little brew like that would do the trick.

You should be able to find a REAL 10w-30 HDEO at any local distributor (not AA or PB or WM ..but a "true" oil distributor) for about the same price that I did. Just look in the yellow pages ..there are plenty, I'm sure. You just have to be willing to buy a 5 gallon bucket. I just need to be able to "flex" my blend a little thinner than that. I could have bought two 5 gallon buckets ..one 10w and one 10w-30 ..but I don't need 40 quarts of oil for my Caravan "on hand". Now I'll probably run this "straight" through the winter ...monitor consumption. If the miles don't rack up fast enough, I'll just add 15w-40 as I consume it ..assuming that my "time" interval hasn't expired. I'll then progressively add 15w-40 for the summer.

This van only sees about 6-7k a year. So depending on how it goes ..I may just go for a 6 month OCI and just handle consumption with whatever season I'm in.

Hammer · Nov 5, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by Gary Allan:

Mystik appears to be a Chevron product.

Nope! It's a Citgo product!

http://www.citgo.com/Products/LubesOils/Mystik.jsp

Hammer

Last_Z · Nov 6, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by jthorner:
There are so many good oils available off the shelf in a wide variety of weights that I will never understand the blend-your-own subculture.

Oh well

.

John

Well,
That's partially correct! I would like to have a 5/10W-40, synthetic HDEO, that's also friction modified. The only thing close to that is M1 T&SUV.....but I can't find it......and it isn't very friction modified.
The other exotics such as Motul and the like are non-existent and if ever found, you can expect to leave a limb behind!

My perfect oil?

-0W-30, 10W-30, 5W-40, 15W-50 (I guess you could also make a 0W-20 for those Ford/Honda engines that require it)
-Synthetic
-Low shear-Good HT/HS
-HDEO
-Heavily friction modified
-Priced right

That would cover all seasons, cleanliness requirements and energy conserving.
So you see....no such thing as perfect oil, therefore the need for mixing/experimenting with various weights and additives.

[ November 06, 2004, 03:54 PM: Message edited by: Last_Z ]

Gary Allan · Nov 6, 2004

Hmmm.. in Mystic the only 20 weight that I found was a 20w-20 and it was a non-detergent. Maybe I missed something ...I thought I checked them all.

97TJ · Nov 7, 2004

would it be possible to find a 10W-30 HDEO at truck stops, also it should run fine in gas engine? from what i have read................

ps for jeep engines in particular

[ November 07, 2004, 09:51 PM: Message edited by: 97TJ ]

TallPaul · Nov 7, 2004

I am running my version of a Flex Brew right now: 5 qts Citgo 10w40 and one quart NAPA straight 40. Gives me maybe a 15w40 (or maybe need a bit more straight 40).

I believe Walmart sells Motorcraft 10w30 HDEO in quart bottles.

Gary Allan · Nov 7, 2004

quote:

I believe Walmart sells Motorcraft 10w30 HDEO in quart bottles.

I've heard this ..but can't say that I've seen it. I can't identify a MC HDEO bottle. Is it RED like the regular stuff

quote:

would it be possible to find a 10W-30 HDEO at truck stops, also it should run fine in gas engine? from what i have read................

ps for jeep engines in particular

I would think that the truck stop will charge more for oil than a local distributor. Like I said ...if you can find room for a 5 gallon bucket ..$32 has you enough oil for 5 oil changes in a 4 banger ..and 3 in a 4.0 with two left over. I'd also hope you do at least one UOA on the second OCI with a xw-30 weight to assure that you aren't suffering from Fe dandruff.

quote:

I am running my version of a Flex Brew right now:

Always in style ..and always in stock

TallPaul · Nov 7, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by Gary Allan:
I can't identify a MC HDEO bottle. Is it RED like the regular stuff

I believe red bottles. I think I recall seeing the 10w30, but wasn't paying attention at the time. Now I am interested in case the SM oils are not all they are cracked up (supposed that could be a vague pun on refining

) to be. At my Walmart they seem to put the PCMOs on once side of the shelf and on the back, in the next aisle, are the HDMOs. Cheap, someone said $1.49 a quart.

I believe Motor City Truck--Ford/Sterling, about 5 miles down the interstate from me, also carries the 10w30 Motorcraft HDMO.

Did I mention I just got some Maxlife straight 30 to mix a quart in with the Maxlife 10w30 in my motorhome? Should make it lean towards a 15w30--

Palut · Nov 7, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by TallPaul:
I believe Walmart sells Motorcraft 10w30 HDEO in quart bottles.

I asked my local Wal-Mart to order this for me, and they said that they couldn't do it, nor could any of the other Wal-Marts in the area...

TallPaul · Nov 7, 2004

Apparently there have been sightings and even a purchase of Motorcraft HDMO 10w30 at Walmarts: LINK.

Gary Allan · Nov 7, 2004

Nice to know. It may end up in my daughter's Taurus. Right now, I'm focused on Pennzoil LL. My Caravan will love the free flowing 10w-30-LITE. The MC HDEO in a 30 weight is probably welcome by more than a few members. It doesn't take much on either end of the spectrum to swing the mix one way or the other. (thought cloud forming ..wondering if MC 10w is available ....)

"Flex brew" HDEO

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