noise vs wear

[bonnie john]

my '92 harley runs fairly quietly on a 'heavy' 20w50 or straight 50 (manufacturers recomendations), 20w60 etc

but on havoline 20w50 it's a noisy beast, slight 'rattles' from the head and cam regions

am i doing any damage running an oil that seems to accentuate engine noises or is all ok?

('92 fatboy, 60,000 miles, no oil consumption to speak of, fairly standard engine)

 

[Clyde65]

Are you saying that the Havoline is noisier than the previous undisclosed 20W-50?

I had heard somewhere that Harleys like straight 60W.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

What is the previously undisclosed, quieter 20W-50?

 

[bonnie john]

local brew called 'penrite'

and motul 15w50 full ester syn

also pennzoil 20w50 (from memory)

all seemed quieter

using penrite 20w60 diesel/gas dual rated oil now. very happy

 

[Dave H]

Some oils are reportedly "noisier" than others. Some feel it could be due to slightly different viscosity, and others feel it may be due to basestock/additive composition. I don't know which it may be. But I do know Castrol GC, a heavy 30 weight, makes my car extremely quiet compared to lighter 30 weights. Others have noticed this, too, especially it seems in Nissan vehicles, and the VQ engine specifically.
I'm not saying to run GC in your Harley, just offering an example of how oils may affect noise levels.
If you want to run a 20w50, you could check on this board for the viscosities at 100*C of different oils in that range. Then pick one with a higher viscosity within the 50 weight range and try it. But also keep in mind the difference in basestock (such as dino vs synthetic and PAO vs ester) may play a part, also.
Others with much more experience/expertise will probably chime in. The noise issue with various oils usually gets some experts to chime in, and often with many different opinions.

Dave

 

[dave1251]

Try Mobil 1 15W-50 if you can use a synthetic.

 

[47HO]

From many of the posts I've read, I did not think you Ozzies ever used anything as "thin" as a 50wt!

 

[bonnie john]

hiya 47ho


been brought up to use 20w50 in EVERYTHING except lawn equipment


then break out the straight 40 grade


0wXX blows me away

 

[Seabreeze]

Our mechanic at work has labelled his oil - Fuchs Titan - as 20W50 'thin', and 20W60 'thick'!

 

[kanling]

Worrying about noise on a Harley?! Lol!

 

[Winston]

quote:

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been brought up to use 20w50 in EVERYTHING except lawn equipment

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Crazy Aussie's!

Is your heat different than in the US?

quote:

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0wXX blows me away

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Since you are down under, is the 0 related to the high temp oil viscosity and the second number related to the cold temp oil viscosity?