If you accept the premise that "Thinner is better" that is so trendy right now, apparently fuel dilution (which thins out oil) must be beneficial to your engine. Correct?
Fuel dilution is......Good?
- Thread starter gfh77665
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Uh, no. Fuel breaks down oil, or rather reacts with other contaminates to create a witches brew of acids.
I see where your head is at, Ive thought about that too. I think to a point, maybe in cold weather with the oil being thinner it'd reach critical parts faster. However, once it gets there, I dont think it would do its job as well. I think the fuel does more than just thin the oil.
Originally Posted By: gfh77665
If you accept the premise that "Thinner is better" that is so trendy right now, apparently fuel dilution (which thins out oil) must be beneficial to your engine. Correct?
Please tell me you're joking...
If you accept the premise that "Thinner is better" that is so trendy right now, apparently fuel dilution (which thins out oil) must be beneficial to your engine. Correct?
In WWII, P47s used 70W dino oil [approx.].
This was not ideal for sub zero starting flow.
Up to 10% gas in the engine's oil was recommended in the manual for cold conditions.
This was an emergency wartime type of thing. They were shooting at us.
But since the mid forties, kerosene or gas has not been recommended inside the engine.
This was not ideal for sub zero starting flow.
Up to 10% gas in the engine's oil was recommended in the manual for cold conditions.
This was an emergency wartime type of thing. They were shooting at us.
But since the mid forties, kerosene or gas has not been recommended inside the engine.
Fuel dilution is one reason I have never been real excited about ultra long oil OCI's. No matter how good your oil is, if it's got a bunch of fuel or water in in it, you are causing damage. Granted, better oil deals with these contaminents better than cheap oil or previous generation oils, but those contaminents are still there. The same thing applies to transmissions, diffs, cooling systems, brake systems, power steering, etc. Get the stuff that shouldn't be in there out. If a problem does develope, I'd like to know about it while I still have a chance to stop the damage.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
In WWII, P47s used 70W dino oil [approx.].
This was not ideal for sub zero starting flow.
Up to 10% gas in the engine's oil was recommended in the manual for cold conditions.
This was an emergency wartime type of thing. They were shooting at us.
AFAIK, oils were very different back then, too.
In WWII, P47s used 70W dino oil [approx.].
This was not ideal for sub zero starting flow.
Up to 10% gas in the engine's oil was recommended in the manual for cold conditions.
This was an emergency wartime type of thing. They were shooting at us.
AFAIK, oils were very different back then, too.
Originally Posted By: Dieselbob
Fuel dilution is one reason I have never been real excited about ultra long oil OCI's. No matter how good your oil is, if it's got a bunch of fuel or water in in it, you are causing damage. Granted, better oil deals with these contaminents better than cheap oil or previous generation oils, but those contaminents are still there. The same thing applies to transmissions, diffs, cooling systems, brake systems, power steering, etc. Get the stuff that shouldn't be in there out. If a problem does develope, I'd like to know about it while I still have a chance to stop the damage.
ocassional UOA's are cheaper than dumping oil early and will tell you if you have a dilution problem. Saving you money on oil and saving precious resources.
Fuel dilution is one reason I have never been real excited about ultra long oil OCI's. No matter how good your oil is, if it's got a bunch of fuel or water in in it, you are causing damage. Granted, better oil deals with these contaminents better than cheap oil or previous generation oils, but those contaminents are still there. The same thing applies to transmissions, diffs, cooling systems, brake systems, power steering, etc. Get the stuff that shouldn't be in there out. If a problem does develope, I'd like to know about it while I still have a chance to stop the damage.
ocassional UOA's are cheaper than dumping oil early and will tell you if you have a dilution problem. Saving you money on oil and saving precious resources.
Hey, a little fuel dilution may have another good aspect. We used to use gasoline as parts cleaner, so it should help keep your engine nice and clean.
And help to keep bearing and piston rings super hot and stripped of adequate lubrication, but yes certainly clean...
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
In WWII, P47s used 70W dino oil [approx.].
This was not ideal for sub zero starting flow.
Up to 10% gas in the engine's oil was recommended in the manual for cold conditions.
This was an emergency wartime type of thing. They were shooting at us.
But since the mid forties, kerosene or gas has not been recommended inside the engine.
The P-38 (Allison V1710 engines) actually had a mechanism with which the pilot could deliberately pump fuel into the oiling system for cold weather starts.
But as others have said, that was for a set of conditions that just don't apply to cars and oils today.
In WWII, P47s used 70W dino oil [approx.].
This was not ideal for sub zero starting flow.
Up to 10% gas in the engine's oil was recommended in the manual for cold conditions.
This was an emergency wartime type of thing. They were shooting at us.
But since the mid forties, kerosene or gas has not been recommended inside the engine.
The P-38 (Allison V1710 engines) actually had a mechanism with which the pilot could deliberately pump fuel into the oiling system for cold weather starts.
But as others have said, that was for a set of conditions that just don't apply to cars and oils today.
One of the many functions of a motor oil is to dissipate heat but once you introduce fuel into the mix, not only does it lose its film strength and not able to dissipate optimum heat but it also reduces its flash point. Combine the two and you know why fuel in your oil is not such a great thing. But I know what you were trying to say though.
Originally Posted By: gfh77665
If you accept the premise that "Thinner is better" that is so trendy right now, apparently fuel dilution (which thins out oil) must be beneficial to your engine. Correct?
You are correct. Next time you're at the service station pump a couple gallons of 87 octain into the oil fill hole, drive a few miles and let us know how it works out. Use premium fuel if you are using synthetic oil.
Your engine may start to clatter for a bit, but that's just the sound of the fuel cleaning everything up. Once the clattering stops your engine will be so smooth and quiet you won't even hear it running.
If you accept the premise that "Thinner is better" that is so trendy right now, apparently fuel dilution (which thins out oil) must be beneficial to your engine. Correct?
You are correct. Next time you're at the service station pump a couple gallons of 87 octain into the oil fill hole, drive a few miles and let us know how it works out. Use premium fuel if you are using synthetic oil.
Your engine may start to clatter for a bit, but that's just the sound of the fuel cleaning everything up. Once the clattering stops your engine will be so smooth and quiet you won't even hear it running.
Uhmm, I was being facetious with the original post. I figured most readers would interpret that.
It's still a good topic to discuss...
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Weekly highway drives should help keep the fuel and moisture burned out of the oil (perhaps 45-90 minutes long according to the outside temperature). Yes, the fuel and water can still damage the oil in between. This is for normal levels of fuel dilution, not dangerously high levels.
Originally Posted By: Bruce T
Weekly highway drives should help keep the fuel and moisture burned out of the oil (perhaps 45-90 minutes long according to the outside temperature). Yes, the fuel and water can still damage the oil in between. This is for normal levels of fuel dilution, not dangerously high levels.
Yes, if you like to burn fuel, sure it is. I hear this all the time and personally if you have an old vehicle, I say maybe, but with the newer vehicles, I don't think you really have to do this. It makes sense to burn off the condensation and fuel but when the damage is done, its irreversible, regardless. Wasting fuel and unwanted miles on your vehicle to me is not palatable idea.
Weekly highway drives should help keep the fuel and moisture burned out of the oil (perhaps 45-90 minutes long according to the outside temperature). Yes, the fuel and water can still damage the oil in between. This is for normal levels of fuel dilution, not dangerously high levels.
Yes, if you like to burn fuel, sure it is. I hear this all the time and personally if you have an old vehicle, I say maybe, but with the newer vehicles, I don't think you really have to do this. It makes sense to burn off the condensation and fuel but when the damage is done, its irreversible, regardless. Wasting fuel and unwanted miles on your vehicle to me is not palatable idea.
New vehicles still dilute during short trips. That instant start up you get at all temps? Thats thanks to a boat load of fuel, then it stays in cold enrichment until it thinks the cat is warmed up.
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