[C320-list] Engine Oil

[Rick Sulewski]

 FYI - Mobil 1 now comes in an extended performance blend (15,000 mile oil
change interval) and contains additional additives to combat longer term
usage. One may, or may not, believe the corporate claims of Mobil 1 Extended
Performance. Features and benefits according to their website - "Mobil 1
Extended Performance oils are made with a proprietary blend of high
performance synthetic basestocks fortified with an advanced additive system,
designed especially to deliver performance and protection during longer
service intervals. Mobil 1 Extended Performance oils are uniquely designed
to provide outstanding levels of performance, cleaning power and engine
protection, even during longer oil change intervals."

For our engine utilization pattern, 50-60 hours is our normal seasonal usage
and includes enough engine run time each start to allow the engine to come
up to operating temperature to remove crankcase moisture. The estimated
hourly usage to mileage conversion may run something like this: at 60 miles
traveled per hour (considering running at 70% - 80% maximum RPM) for a
15,000 mile interval synthetic extended performance Mobil 1 oil blend equals
an estimated 250 operating hours compared to our seasonal hourly usage of 50
to 60 total hours. That "hours to miles" conversion suggests to me that the
Mobil 1 extended performance blend (15,000 mile oil) has much more capacity
to provide protection and lubrication overtime than we are currently using.
An annual oil filter change each year ensures that potential solid
contaminates are removed from the oil that is cycled to oil pan after
leaving the oil filter. At the higher cost of Mobil 1 and considering the
extended performance blend option, even with extended oil change intervals,
using synthetic oil may remain a far more conservative option than using
dino oil. 

Now if one really wants to enter the fray on the extended synthetic oil
change debate, go to the Amsoil website or Google Amsoil extended service
vs. Mobil 1 Extended Performance. If one thinks that a 15,000 mile interval
changes is controversial, Amsoil synthetic has provided a 25,000 mile
interval for several years backed by its own research. On the Amsoil website
they suggest that oil change intervals may be more about interval oil change
"revenue cycles" than actual oil protection science now that many consumers
have long accepted the corporate line & reasoning for 3,000 mile intervals,
etc. rather than considering the "return on one's investment" in paying more
for synthetic oil, especially when considering the consumer advantages of
extended service intervals.
http://synthetic-motor-oil-air-filters.com/amsoil/mobil-1-extended-performan
ce.htm


Rick
My-Ria #277

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Pat Ireland
Sent: Friday, October 21, 2011 12:07 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Engine Oil

What Jeff said - East Coast Yanmar rep agreed synthetic was acceptable for
our 2001 Yanmar.  He made the caution that the engine may leak and may use
more oil.  No leaks and no noticable consumption increase.  Note - manual
says not to use synthetic.  Yanmar recommends synthetic for some engines and
not others.  That Turbo may be one of the recommended uses.  We use the
Mobil One "Diesel" synthetic and are happy with it.  But the oil is changed
on a normal schedule for the reasons that Jeff mentioned.  I want the
improved lubrication that I believe synthetic oil provides, but want to
remove any potential moisture or acid contamination on a regular basis.
YMMV

Pat, 801