Help finding the the worst oil? Group 1?

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: driftmaster77

Hey Arcographite, the name jogged my memory from way back, If my memory serves me right(30 years maybe) couldn't you throw that oil in with some of the worst ever if it was still around? Wasn't it like black out of the bottle,or maybe can?
I worked as a mechanic at an ARCO station in the late 70's. AG was a Nano-tech graphite suspension in oil. Worked OK as a additive better than a full sump fill. Just one of the craziest oils ever sold by a major Atlantic-Richfield.

 

[StrateLOSS]

I would take a closer look into the additive section before using that product again.

Those additives usually block small oil passages for good.

 

[mongo161]

It really makes you wonder what oil that the "No Name" quick oil change centers use?

There are probablly barrels and barrels of outdated oil, with name brands, still being used on current late model engines. It would not surprise me if some of these oild date back to the SJ or earlier API classification.

It might be good advice to bring your own oil and filter if you use these quick change establishments for your OCI on a late model vehicle.

 

[Steve S]

I, m not sure your assumption on oil is correct. [Friction and heat from GPI base oil].

 

[HangerHarley]

Originally Posted By: Roland
is there a place that explanes what these letters mean SA SE SF SG?


Google "API Service Category."

SM is the newest one, IIRC.

It will be SN soon. It goes upppp with years...

Backwards compatible, or so they say.

 

[sxg6]

I think quick lube places have a high enough volume to stock current classified oil. I don't think you have to worry about them using a product primarily composed of a group I base oil, since I highly doubt that would pass any of the current testing procedures. Chances are they're using conventional with a group II/II+ base, maybe even a small amount of I/III mixed in depending on grade.

 

[Gene K]

Originally Posted By: mongo161
It really makes you wonder what oil that the "No Name" quick oil change centers use?

They get their bulk tanks filled by whatever supplier gives them the best price. The local Chevron and Mobil Distibuters have most of the business here so basically the same as Texaco Havoline SM/GF4 5W30 or Mobil DC5000 SM/GF4 for the most part. WalMart uses Castrol GTX last I checked.

 

[GrtArtiste]

Back in 1973, I started working at one of those cheap Brand X gas stations. Among other things, we sold what we called -bulk oil-. It we delivered periodically in a large drum and we used a hand-operated crank-pump to fill glass quart bottles for customers who wanted to pay $0.15 for this stuff. It was a sickly grayish-brown and looked like it had sand in it. To this day, I am surprised that they got away with selling it. They eventually stopped and urged us to push the non-detergent 20 and 30 wt oils to customers who wanted the "cheap stuff"...this was about $0.40 a quart.

 

[addyguy]

Brad-Penn straight 30 is 100% group I base oils. It meets API SJ.

Gulf oil also sells an API SF-rated 10W-30 that is 100% group I.

 

[znode]

You can always try synlube