Oils that contain sodium

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: vxcalais
Isnt sodium also added for oil pressure ?

This made me laugh at work. If you were being serious I'm sorry.

This is a FORUM, and on forums you have opinions and discussion. The problem with the OPs statement isn't that it's an opinion, but the manner in which he posted it. The OP stated his opinion as a fact, not an opinion. I agree that you should be able to post your opinion, but you've got to qualify your statement with an, "IMO, blah blah blah," or, "I'm not sure, but to me it seems..." so we know you're basing your opinion on speculation and personal opinion.

That being said, I would assume we're all smart enough to realize where we are - the interwebs - and realize that not everything you read should be taken as gospel. After a while you get to know who's opinion and facts you can trust, and who is full of poo.

Merry Holidays!


I'm not sure what "opinion" you're referring to that was stated as fact, you quoted someone else who also didn't state their opinion as "fact" and mention the OP. I'm the thread's OP. But I think your post is just your erroneous opinion. The only thing I said in this thread that I can figure you are talking about is "My understanding was that sodium is a cheaper way to go." Now if I was really intending to state that as a fact, I would've left out the "My understanding" part and just stated it point blank. I'm not really sure what all relevence it has to this thread in the first place. I can't do much about your interpretations or opinions. Like I said before you can take my "opinion" or leave it for all I care.

One thing I try not to do is correct every post I see on here that I know and believe is wrong other than to provide info that I think is more accurate. Another thing I've noticed is it's not the tribologist, engineers, and auto technicians that tend to have smart alec, contrarian replies. It tends to be the ones that have no experience or training in the related fields. Well there you go with more of my opinion sinced you egged me on

. I guess this thread is officially hijacked, thanks.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Originally Posted By: vxcalais
Isnt sodium also added for oil pressure ?

This made me laugh at work. If you were being serious I'm sorry.

This is a FORUM, and on forums you have opinions and discussion. The problem with the OPs statement isn't that it's an opinion, but the manner in which he posted it. The OP stated his opinion as a fact, not an opinion. I agree that you should be able to post your opinion, but you've got to qualify your statement with an, "IMO, blah blah blah," or, "I'm not sure, but to me it seems..." so we know you're basing your opinion on speculation and personal opinion.

That being said, I would assume we're all smart enough to realize where we are - the interwebs - and realize that not everything you read should be taken as gospel. After a while you get to know who's opinion and facts you can trust, and who is full of poo.

Merry Holidays!


I'm not sure what "opinion" you're referring to that was stated as fact, you quoted someone else who also didn't state their opinion as "fact" and mention the OP. I'm the thread's OP. But I think your post is just your erroneous opinion. The only thing I said in this thread that I can figure you are talking about is "My understanding was that sodium is a cheaper way to go." Now if I was really intending to state that as a fact, I would've left out the "My understanding" part and just stated it point blank. I'm not really sure what all relevence it has to this thread in the first place. I can't do much about your interpretations or opinions. Like I said before you can take my "opinion" or leave it for all I care.

One thing I try not to do is correct every post I see on here that I know and believe is wrong other than to provide info that I think is more accurate. Another thing I've noticed is it's not the tribologist, engineers, and auto technicians that tend to have smart alec, contrarian replies. It tends to be the ones that have no experience or training in the related fields. Well there you go with more of my opinion sinced you egged me on

. I guess this thread is officially hijacked, thanks.


You'll have to forgive me. I typed this between passes by the boss, and was hoping to come across on YOUR side. I guess I failed! What was typed specifically referring to you was meant to be more of a general statement.

FWIW, I got comments back from Blackstone a year or so back for my old Subie saying I had a coolant leak, as evidenced by the high Na. I worried for a week, was told on here that it was a new add in the castrol, and had to wait for a VOA to come back with Na before I could sleep well at night. While It was a pain in the butt at first, once I knew to expect it it wasn't a big deal

/threadjack

 

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
Ones that I know of...

Valvoline/NAPA
Mobil Clean 5000
Castrol GTX
Castrol Syntec Blend


That would lead me to believe that Na in PCMO is basically OK.

 

[mechanicx]

OK that's all fine. I wasn't sure and I thought you were being a wise guy calling me out for something I haven't really done lol. Maybe I misunderstood your post.

Anyway, I agree it's not too hard to piece together if sodium is coming from a real coolant leak or an oil additive. But it can get confusing if you don't know the oil, there are co-existing problems like a coolant leak somewhere, high wear metals etc. If you look at many UOAs you see that sodium is in the single digits and becomes a non-issue and is where you would "expect" it to be on a low-no sodium oil. To me it just doesn't make a lot of sense to use an oil additive that is also an important marker for contamination clouding the issue. Your engine wants a low sodium oil diet

. Disclaimer: The preceding was just my opinion and not presented as facts.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
OK that's all fine. I wasn't sure and I thought you were being a wise guy calling me out for something I haven't really done lol. Maybe I misunderstood your post.

Anyway, I agree it's not too hard to piece together if sodium is coming from a real coolant leak or an oil additive. But it can get confusing if you don't know the oil, there are co-existing problems like a coolant leak somewhere, high wear metals etc. If you look at many UOAs you see that sodium is in the single digits and becomes a non-issue and is where you would "expect" it to be on a low-no sodium oil. To me it just doesn't make a lot of sense to use an oil additive that is also an important marker for contamination clouding the issue. Your engine wants a low sodium oil diet

. Disclaimer: The preceding was just my opinion and not presented as facts.


I reread my post and it was definitely my wording. haha

 

[mechanicx]

It's all cool. From what I remembered you've always been a sensible poster, so I was a little surprised at first, but looks like it was just sort of a misunderstanding

.

 

[BearZDefect]

mechanicx, I understand why you're asking which oils contain sodium. It simply makes reading a UOA for coolant leaks easier. While I haven't done any UOAs, I too avoid engine oils with sodium additives, just in case I suspect a coolant problem and send for a UOA to check on it.

Since most engine oils are very capable, a lot of our choices come down to some prejudices - at least mine do. Ex, I don't like some marketing tactics - strike against Castrol and Valvoline. There go two sodium users already!

 

[mechanicx]

Yeah I totally agree with you. This is basically my same sentiments as well. I don't really claim that my current prejudice against sodium in oil is entirely justifiable, but it is just a preference. Nice how you are knocking out two birds with one stone so to speak though

.