Parroted saying when discussing 5w20 vs 0w20

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted by Railrust
I saw a lot of fluid abuse in those years. Lol. Working in a fleet I really got to see the capabilities of fluids...and their ability to be abused and neglected. There were no considerations for fluid changes (outside of engine oil). Dexcool was the only coolant we'd usually change (only because of engine repairs/cooling system repairs). Ford never seemed to have coolant leaks - I remember thinking...wow, Ford at least has their cooling systems figured out compared to GM. The vehicles were taken out of service at 120,000 miles, so most likely the issues and problems from fluid neglect weren't felt until a little later. One thing I learned from working in a fleet, it's no nonsense, and they will push fluids to the max...and beyond.

I read somewhere that a lot of manufacturers actually install a radiator stop-leak at the factory. I remember seen ACDelco branded sealant tablets that needed to be crushed. I bought them but never used them. I did use some when my radiator started leaking, but it was really a cracked tank that needed a replacement. I also used Honda "Type 1" coolant in my 1995 Integra GS-R. I remember a noticeably change in it from one jug to the next. One had this brownish sludge form a ring when I premixed it in a bottle, while another looked a little clearer. I suspect that was some sort of sealant. Not sure how that works depending on what's being used for coolant.

 

[1JZ_E46]

The "0" part of a 0W-20 recommendation is to eek out small mpg increases while the oil is warming up (at the expense of higher Noack).

I'm with Mola, I'd use a 5W-20 syn in a 0W-20 application.

 

[Railrust]

Originally Posted by y_p_w
Originally Posted by Railrust
I saw a lot of fluid abuse in those years. Lol. Working in a fleet I really got to see the capabilities of fluids...and their ability to be abused and neglected. There were no considerations for fluid changes (outside of engine oil). Dexcool was the only coolant we'd usually change (only because of engine repairs/cooling system repairs). Ford never seemed to have coolant leaks - I remember thinking...wow, Ford at least has their cooling systems figured out compared to GM. The vehicles were taken out of service at 120,000 miles, so most likely the issues and problems from fluid neglect weren't felt until a little later. One thing I learned from working in a fleet, it's no nonsense, and they will push fluids to the max...and beyond.

I read somewhere that a lot of manufacturers actually install a radiator stop-leak at the factory. I remember seen ACDelco branded sealant tablets that needed to be crushed. I bought them but never used them. I did use some when my radiator started leaking, but it was really a cracked tank that needed a replacement. I also used Honda "Type 1" coolant in my 1995 Integra GS-R. I remember a noticeably change in it from one jug to the next. One had this brownish sludge form a ring when I premixed it in a bottle, while another looked a little clearer. I suspect that was some sort of sealant. Not sure how that works depending on what's being used for coolant.


I've never heard of manufacturers adding stop leak in their factory fills, I imagine that'd cause issues with the heater core and potentially the radiator clogging up? Not sure. Never noticed anything on drain and fills. I do see some variation in color on occasion with coolant from the same manufacturer...I always attributed that to the dye or water source, but who knows? Maybe there is some stop leak in there from the factory.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted by Railrust
I've never heard of manufacturers adding stop leak in their factory fills, I imagine that'd cause issues with the heater core and potentially the radiator clogging up? Not sure. Never noticed anything on drain and fills. I do see some variation in color on occasion with coolant from the same manufacturer...I always attributed that to the dye or water source, but who knows? Maybe there is some stop leak in there from the factory.

I was reading an article in one of the major auto magazines where they interviewed someone from Gold Eagle. He claimed that some automakers were buying their product in order to install at the factory, and that a lot of owners found that leaks sprung up after a coolant service because the amount of sealant was reduced. And several of the major automakers have sold their own cooling system sealants. Even Subaru was handing out some sort of English-made cooling system product to reduce the chance of a head gasket leak (yeah - I know that's a lousy way to treat a head gasket problem). Rumor (or rumour) was that it was Holts Radweld with a Subaru label.

My understanding with the organic stop leaks is that as long as they're not overused they shouldn't plug up anything. They have to be exposed to air to solidify, but lots of liquid will cause them to dissolve.

 

[oil_film_movies]

Originally Posted by Railrust
Originally Posted by oil_film_movies
... allowing 5w20 allows you to use the cheapest Group2 oil you can scrape up. ...... A 0w20 is at least a syn blend and adds some cost.

I had a different experience when working in the government fleet industry...... conventional oil was used (5w30/5w20).
How is that "different" ? I said 5w20 can be a cheaper oil than 0w20, and that's what fleets use, yours too.