Is there really a difference in the way an engine runs with different oils? I've read many threads here that are about a poster's engine seeming to run smoother or quieter with a certain oil. With the typical weights, 0w-20, 5w-20, 5w30, 10w30, 5w-40, 0w-40, etc, is there really a difference in the way a normal car engine runs or sounds?
Is there really a difference?
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Placebo effect.
Same weight most likely no, different weight such as xW40 to xW20 or vice versa then yes in some engines and no in other engines. You need to try in your particular car/truck/SUV to see the differences if any.
Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX
Placebo effect.
Placebo effect.
same category (ie, 30 vs 30) - no diff (imo).
different category - yes (imo). I had a 1.6 liter engine that was slightly but noticably bogged down and duller sounding by 20w50 compared to a 10w40.
different category - yes (imo). I had a 1.6 liter engine that was slightly but noticably bogged down and duller sounding by 20w50 compared to a 10w40.
Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX
Placebo effect.
I don't agree. Switching my car from 10w30 to 5W-20 made it feel like a whole different car. The engine feels much more free, and it's quieter at high RPM.
Placebo effect.
I don't agree. Switching my car from 10w30 to 5W-20 made it feel like a whole different car. The engine feels much more free, and it's quieter at high RPM.
Originally Posted By: chevrofreak
I don't agree. Switching my car from 10w30 to 5W-20 made it feel like a whole different car. The engine feels much more free, and it's quieter at high RPM.
You're driving someone else's car.
Didn't you notice the pictures on the dash aren't your kids?
I don't agree. Switching my car from 10w30 to 5W-20 made it feel like a whole different car. The engine feels much more free, and it's quieter at high RPM.
You're driving someone else's car.
Didn't you notice the pictures on the dash aren't your kids?
Originally Posted By: Rabbler
Didn't you notice the pictures on the dash aren't your kids?
That's where the newfound sense of freedom comes from.
There's a small but noticeable difference in my Civic's tiny engine running 0w-20 Vs. 0w-30. I like the gliding, nimble feel of the lighter oil driving around town, but I like the smoother, quieter feel of the heavier oil at high RPM. Since I have a some of both viscosities in my stash, I'm going to mix them and enjoy the middle ground.
Didn't you notice the pictures on the dash aren't your kids?
That's where the newfound sense of freedom comes from.
There's a small but noticeable difference in my Civic's tiny engine running 0w-20 Vs. 0w-30. I like the gliding, nimble feel of the lighter oil driving around town, but I like the smoother, quieter feel of the heavier oil at high RPM. Since I have a some of both viscosities in my stash, I'm going to mix them and enjoy the middle ground.
Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX
Placebo effect.
sarcasm right? high posters such as yourself surely must know more about oil then to call it a placebo effect.
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You sure as heck won't find me running 0w20 in my flat tappet 4.6! unless I happen to be wheeling in Siberia. 5w40, 10w40, 15w40 is what she likes.
Placebo effect.
sarcasm right? high posters such as yourself surely must know more about oil then to call it a placebo effect.
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You sure as heck won't find me running 0w20 in my flat tappet 4.6! unless I happen to be wheeling in Siberia. 5w40, 10w40, 15w40 is what she likes.
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Run a 5w20 in a 4 banger, then switch it out for 20w50. I am sure you will notice a difference.
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Originally Posted By: chevrofreak
Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX
Placebo effect.
I don't agree. Switching my car from 10w30 to 5W-20 made it feel like a whole different car. The engine feels much more free, and it's quieter at high RPM.
My S-10 had a very noticeable improvement in performance after a similar switch. Then I changed the oil and was shocked at what I found. Check you magnetic drain plug after switching from 5/10W-30 to 5W-20. Mine was overflowing with metal shavings. Now that I switched back to 5w30, no more metal shavings during my oil changes.
Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX
Placebo effect.
I don't agree. Switching my car from 10w30 to 5W-20 made it feel like a whole different car. The engine feels much more free, and it's quieter at high RPM.
My S-10 had a very noticeable improvement in performance after a similar switch. Then I changed the oil and was shocked at what I found. Check you magnetic drain plug after switching from 5/10W-30 to 5W-20. Mine was overflowing with metal shavings. Now that I switched back to 5w30, no more metal shavings during my oil changes.
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I filter my used oil through a Scott shop towel so I can inspect any debris that may be left behind. There was nothing at all, except for sludge staining, in the towel from either my Auto RX clean or rinse phase using 5W-20.
I can't say the same for the oil change just prior to my Auto RX clean phase. That was a run on Trop Artic 10w30, and there was all kinds of sparkly metal bits in the oil when I drained it out.
I can't say the same for the oil change just prior to my Auto RX clean phase. That was a run on Trop Artic 10w30, and there was all kinds of sparkly metal bits in the oil when I drained it out.
Originally Posted By: chevrofreak
I filter my used oil through a Scott shop towel so I can inspect any debris that may be left behind.
Fascinating! Would be interesting to change the towel as you get to the last half quart on the drainout to see if the last part brings out more debris from the pan.
I filter my used oil through a Scott shop towel so I can inspect any debris that may be left behind.
Fascinating! Would be interesting to change the towel as you get to the last half quart on the drainout to see if the last part brings out more debris from the pan.
It filters through the towel so slowly (maybe 3 drips per second) that I can't do it while draining. I use a thoroughly cleaned drain pan, then pour that into a 5 quart or 1 gallon jug. I put a large funnel into another 5 quart or 1 gallon jug and put the shop towel into it like a coffee filter. I fill the funnel, then come back a while later and pour more in. I repeat that for several hours until it's all filtered.
Here's one of the towels I used https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/i-cut-my-auto-rx-rinse-phase-short.99777/
Here's one of the towels I used https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/i-cut-my-auto-rx-rinse-phase-short.99777/
Chevrofreak, I find it somewhat alarming that your oil filter isn't catching any debris caught by the shop towel. Don't you think?
Not many filters will get that sludge looking stuff out of the oil. It's very very fine particles.
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Originally Posted By: chevrofreak
Not many filters will get that sludge looking stuff out of the oil. It's very very fine particles.
I wonder if the glass-media filters might?
Not many filters will get that sludge looking stuff out of the oil. It's very very fine particles.
I wonder if the glass-media filters might?
My money is on the placebo effect at least nine times out of ten.
"Not many filters will get that sludge looking stuff out of the oil. It's very very fine particles."
If it is visible to the naked eye, and oil filter should catch it. Maybe there is some gunk which settles to the bottom of the oil pan and doesn't circulate through the filter.
"Not many filters will get that sludge looking stuff out of the oil. It's very very fine particles."
If it is visible to the naked eye, and oil filter should catch it. Maybe there is some gunk which settles to the bottom of the oil pan and doesn't circulate through the filter.
You know... I filtered my Auto RX clean phase oil and added a couple quarts of synthetic to it and put it in my dads car. I had a cheap Super Tech ST3980 filter on it, and after a while the oil actually started to turn from a dark dark brown, to an almost amber-brown color. I cut that filter open, and there was no sludge in the pleats, it was just really dark and looked like any other oil filter I've cut open.
Maybe the FL-820S really isn't filtering all that well. Thought when I said particles, I meant the molecule that comprise the sludge. I couldn't feel any grit at all in that towel.
Maybe the FL-820S really isn't filtering all that well. Thought when I said particles, I meant the molecule that comprise the sludge. I couldn't feel any grit at all in that towel.
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