How many blenders do we have?

[cp3]

Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Yes, I've always been an oil blender to some degree, but that was only the casual top-up blender, where from time to time in my younger days I would add 10w30 to 5w30 M1 when the store was out of 5w30. Then I fell in with the crowd at BITOG where I started reading about the exploits of CATERHAM and others who would actually blend oils to get specific viscosities or to enhance the mysterious VI. I resisted temptation for about a year, but finally in a feverish dream I saw myself mixing Redline 5w20 and 5w30 to attain a specific HTHS while not sacrificing shear stability, and then I was hooked. I found myself driving halfway across the state to buy the boutique oils, and browsing on BITOG for the latest blending experiences of others. Then I experimented within the bewildering but wondrous world of M1, mixing 0w40 EF and 5w30 HM, just to dwell within that perfect nexus between 30 and 40 weight, which inexplicably to some, can never be called 35. Yes, I have been there, and the experience was indescribable! But I have always remained an orthodox blender, refusing to mix SOPUS with Mobil out of fear for committing a crime against organic chemistry. (But sometimes in my quietest moments, I think it would be fun to mix GTX with Valvoline conventional because we know that deep down inside, they're really very similar.)

Your profile doesn't list your profession as a writer, it should! Very well written and entertaining! But surely you jest! GTX & Valvoline conventional!! Possibly the two least loved name brands on BITOG, do you really think your engine would survive?

oldhp, My 2.4 can be a bit noisy when it's really cold but I don't know that it would be the phasers, just sounds like regular injector/valve train noise on mine.

 

[dave1251]

Not a blender per say, but next oil change on the focus is getting two quarts of synthetic formula shell and 3 quarts of conventional formula shell so I can finally use my nearly two year formula shell stash. But who is to say batches from the same brand are not different?

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: cp3
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Yes, I've always been an oil blender to some degree, but that was only the casual top-up blender, where from time to time in my younger days I would add 10w30 to 5w30 M1 when the store was out of 5w30. Then I fell in with the crowd at BITOG where I started reading about the exploits of CATERHAM and others who would actually blend oils to get specific viscosities or to enhance the mysterious VI. I resisted temptation for about a year, but finally in a feverish dream I saw myself mixing Redline 5w20 and 5w30 to attain a specific HTHS while not sacrificing shear stability, and then I was hooked. I found myself driving halfway across the state to buy the boutique oils, and browsing on BITOG for the latest blending experiences of others. Then I experimented within the bewildering but wondrous world of M1, mixing 0w40 EF and 5w30 HM, just to dwell within that perfect nexus between 30 and 40 weight, which inexplicably to some, can never be called 35. Yes, I have been there, and the experience was indescribable! But I have always remained an orthodox blender, refusing to mix SOPUS with Mobil out of fear for committing a crime against organic chemistry. (But sometimes in my quietest moments, I think it would be fun to mix GTX with Valvoline conventional because we know that deep down inside, they're really very similar.)

Your profile doesn't list your profession as a writer, it should! Very well written and entertaining! But surely you jest! GTX & Valvoline conventional!! Possibly the two least loved name brands on BITOG, do you really think your engine would survive?

oldhp, My 2.4 can be a bit noisy when it's really cold but I don't know that it would be the phasers, just sounds like regular injector/valve train noise on mine.


The only thing I do not like about both around here GTX and Valvoline conventional are #1 and #2 for the most expensive conventionals.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: dave1251
But who is to say batches from the same brand are not different?


Agreed. That's why I buy a bunch of oil at once, to maximize the likelihood they were from the same batch. It helps out with my phobia against mixing.

Yes, it's a phobia - an irrational fear.

 

[dave1251]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: dave1251
But who is to say batches from the same brand are not different?


Agreed. That's why I buy a bunch of oil at once, to maximize the likelihood they were from the same batch. It helps out with my phobia against mixing.

Yes, it's a phobia - an irrational fear.


It is my personal belief Garak you have some of the most informational, rational, and somehow lighthearted posts on the BITOG.

 

[84zmyfavorite]

I do it.

 

[Garak]

Thanks, but BITOG still hasn't cured all my phobias.

Plus, my hoarding has been reinforced here, but that's normal for us.

At least I learned about Fumoto valves here and don't make giant messes anymore. And I've learned not to be obsessive about changing air filters too often.

 

[TuBon_gRips]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Plus, my hoarding has been reinforced here, but that's normal for us.


Yeah, I've gotten bad... I'm hoarding my *OLD* oil now!!

 

[dave1251]

Yeah but my stash will be depleted soon. I do not think I will be able to replenish it any time soon unless I can still find some oil on sale for around 2 dollars a quart.

 

[steve20]

In my Accord 2.4 I used to mix 4 dino & 1 syn to get a syn blend.
Then I started looking more closely at the additive levels you can see in a VOA----even in the same brand, the dino add pack is different enough from the syn add pack to make me stop doing it. That would make sense because the base oil is different as well-why shouldn't the add packs be different too?

As long as the blenders realize they are playing,and not really accomplishing anything more than giving themselves something to think about while they are bored,have at it-blend to your heart's content-----

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I've blended for years though, not with intentions to improve the oil but to use my oil stash(which includes many brands of dino/syn) more evenly. 2qts syn/3qts dino.

Many years ago, I mixed out of necessity.


In addition to this statement that I made, I'd like to add that...I may have added/experimented with different oils(only in my stash) because one oil was known for having a little more of one additive compared to the other. And I wanted a bit more of that additive(IDKY) be it Calicium or Zinc but, only as a boost!

I was doing more of this mixing during my first years here at Bob's when I discovered the "Sales, Prom, Rebate Section" and was buying up shelves of cheap dino/syn oils on closeout. I don't really know the end result as I didn't do a used oil analysis.

Today as mentioned, it's more to balance my odd stash of oils(dino/syn, many brands)

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Since there is always a bit of oil left in the engine after draining the old oil, and since I normally don't use the same brand twice (unless I find it on sale just before subsequent oil changes), I'm sure I do some slight "blending" at every oil change.

Beyond that, I simply don't see the need or want to dedicate the time to obsessing over something that, in the overall scheme of things, is irrelevant.