Uh oh, not ANOTHER Engine Oil Thread!

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

LOL



I've got one of these oil wear comparison charts that came in the mail from Mag-Hytek, which actually originated from Lubrication Engineers. So, I thought you'd just love it if I shared this with you!!



The wear numbers listed below were generated using the ASTM test #D-2670 (only the oil gurus know what that means). Basically it's the test with the little spinning falex pin squeezed between two Vee blocks that is put under controlled pressure by loading gear. The wear scar that is measured by the number of teeth the machine ratchets down. I think one tooth = . 0000556" of wear



Also there is the oxidation resistance test (doesn't give ASTM test number for this one). The longer it lasts under the applied conditions (whatever they are) means the higher oxidation resistance it has. The higher number in the table equates to higher durability/resistance.



These are in order based on wear scar performance:

The first Column is WEAR SCAR and 2nd is Oxidation #. Asterisk = Synthetic oil



- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -



02 229 Amsoil HDD and Marine oil* (I think this covers 15W40 only)

03 311 LE 8800 15W40 engine oil

05 162 Cat DEO CH4

06 701 Royal Purple Long Rider* (whatever that is?)

07 289 Chevron Delo 400

09 150 Castrol Dieseall Plus (what the heck is this stuff???)

11 142 Valvoline Premium Blue*

12 829 Mobil Delvac 1 5w40*

16 174 Sinclair Arctic Fire

16 374 Cat DEO 5w40*

18 275 Shell Rotella T

19 133 Valvoline Premium Blue



There were 3 or 4 other off-brand CH-4 and CG-4 diesel oils listed to stay away from, failed the falex pin test and bombed on the oxidation part. They were Chevron RPM, Mystic JT-8, & Exxon XD-3 (never heard of them).



I don't know how realistically these numbers translate into real-world operation. Obviously there are more qualities to an oil than wear resistance and oxidation, such as contaminants suspension, water separation, viscosity, flash point, cold pour point, etc. , not to mention cost of oil. So don't think your oil is junk 'cause it's not at the top of the list I do like my Amsoil though, and I think Delvac 1 rocks too (check out that oxidation number, and it has an incredibly low pour point, like -60F!).



Vaughn

 

[Extreme1]

You tryin' to start something, Vaughn?





Yes, that is an impressive oxidation # from the Mobile Delvac.

 

[Oil Man]

Vaughn,

The TFOUT oxidation test is an ASTM D 4742. The test is run like this.

The TFOUT utilizes the standard Rotary Bomb Oxidation test equipment. An aluminum insert is placed in the bomb to reduce its volume. A small beaker is placed on top of the insert which contains 1. 5 grams of the test oil. This small sample results in a very thin film of the oil. Aded to the sample is 5 weight percent of soluble metal catalysts, 5 weight percent oxidized fuel components and 2 percent water. The soluble metals, oxidized fuel and water simulate the contaminants that an oil is exposed to in an engine from wear debris, blow-by and condinsation. The oxygen bomb is then reassembled, purged with oxygen and pressurized to 90 psi. The bomb is placed in an oil bath where it rotates to provide agitation. The end of the test is the time, minutes, from placing the bomb in the bath to the point where the bomb chart recorder shows a continuous drop in pressure. The period is referred to as the induction time for the onset of oxidative degradation. The longer the induction time, the better the oxidation resistance of the oil. This test is a great simulation of what an oil will do inside your engine.



The off brand oils that you talk about are popular oils from different areas of the US. All of the oils are oils that are widely used. Some are synthetic and some are petroleum. But all of them are heavy duty diesel oils, used in the trucking industry.



Keep in mind that a good oil will have both a low wear combined with high oxidation resistance. The two with the lowest wear were Amsoil and Lubrication Engineers. Both of these oils produce a very low wear rate. As for the oxidation resistance between the two oils the Lubrication Engineers oil had 30% better oxidation resistance than the Amsoil oil. This is due to the Monolec that LE uses that is not in any other oil. The Mobil Delvac-1 oil had the best oxidation resistance, however the wear rate is much higher than eather the LE or the Amsoil products. The Mobil Delvac-1 oil does beat both the LE and the Amsoil products. In fact it has the lowest pour point of any of the oils tested.



As for the Falex wear test you are right in saying that one tooth is equil to 0. 0000556 of wear at the pin.



I believe that by looking at this chart the LE oil is the best overall oil with very low wear combined with high oxidation resistance.



Kevin

 

[Cooker]

This info is very interesting thanks for posting it Vaughn.



The numbers you listed do not coincide with the LE information packet I received from LE some time ago. They must have performed some updated testing.



I am very suprised the Mobil Delvac One was outperformed by many oils regarding it's wear scar. I thought the CAT DEO 5w40 was rebottled Mobil Delvac One, but apparantely not.



-Ryan

 

[BIG BOB]

Where can a guy purchase the LE 8800 Oil? How much does it usually cost? I do like my Amsoil, but always looking for something better.

 

[Oil Man]

Mag-Hytec carries the LE oil. Since they are an advertizer and support this site I would recommend them. Their # is 1-818-786-8325



Kevin

 

[Dane]

Vaughn, You said the "oil" word! Go wash your mouth out with 30 weight!