The fleet manager where I work changed oil suppliers earlier this year, and I was gifted some almost empty 20 litre drums, consisting of (approximately) 4 litres Castrol Edge 5w30, 4 litres Castrol Tection 15w40 diesel oil and 3 litres Castrol GTX 15w40. I simply poured them all into 1 drum, very scientifically shook it up, and voila, my Frankenbrew!
Now keep in mind, I really don't care if this engine dies tomorrow, it's a sludged up old boat anchor in a car that owes me virtually nothing. If and when it lets go, I'll drop a $200 second hand engine in over a weekend, so no big deal. But...I can't kill it! Not that I'm trying to either, if I can avoid an engine swap I will, but the old girl just continues to purr along, regardless of how she's treated. Short trips, long trips, towing, driving it like I stole it, nothing fazes her! It's been on this current oil for 3000km, hasn't used a drop. And amazingly, from the little bit I can see through the fill hole, it's slowly beginning to clean the top end. I honestly expect the old thing will chug on to half a million kays, no worries at all.
As to how well they hold up when thrashed, in my experience, you can't hurt 'em. Even the earliest iteration of these engines, in the much maligned EA, were pretty bullet proof, and the AU is the absolute pinnacle of SOHC development. I may have a better answer in a few months though, when our eldest boy (17) starts driving it unsupervised...if it survives him, it'll survive anything!
I say drive more, worry less, and try not to stress about every little noise the engine makes - it's just character!
Now keep in mind, I really don't care if this engine dies tomorrow, it's a sludged up old boat anchor in a car that owes me virtually nothing. If and when it lets go, I'll drop a $200 second hand engine in over a weekend, so no big deal. But...I can't kill it! Not that I'm trying to either, if I can avoid an engine swap I will, but the old girl just continues to purr along, regardless of how she's treated. Short trips, long trips, towing, driving it like I stole it, nothing fazes her! It's been on this current oil for 3000km, hasn't used a drop. And amazingly, from the little bit I can see through the fill hole, it's slowly beginning to clean the top end. I honestly expect the old thing will chug on to half a million kays, no worries at all.
As to how well they hold up when thrashed, in my experience, you can't hurt 'em. Even the earliest iteration of these engines, in the much maligned EA, were pretty bullet proof, and the AU is the absolute pinnacle of SOHC development. I may have a better answer in a few months though, when our eldest boy (17) starts driving it unsupervised...if it survives him, it'll survive anything!
I say drive more, worry less, and try not to stress about every little noise the engine makes - it's just character!