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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: tykho on April 17, 2010, 10:28:49 PM

Title: Oil?
Post by: tykho on April 17, 2010, 10:28:49 PM
Bored, what kind of oil do you guys run in your cars/bikes?

I'm running Valvoline motorcycle 10w40 in the bike atm because it was broken in on a conventional and I didn't want to change it, Royal Purple or Mobil1 10w30 in the car.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: dohabee on April 17, 2010, 11:02:02 PM
lol
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: mister on April 18, 2010, 02:01:44 AM
IBTL

Michael
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: tt_four on April 18, 2010, 04:34:15 AM
There's only one kind of motorcycle oil that works at pepboys, so I use that one. I don't have a car, but my moped is also taking 10w-30 for it's break in period. ATF type F after that.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: jeremy_nash on April 18, 2010, 08:13:30 AM
any oil you want to put in it, as long as it isn't energy conserving.  I use 10 w 40 pennzoil in my 4 wheelers, dirtbike, cars, and my gs
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: dohabee on April 18, 2010, 08:30:21 AM
As long as you NEVER use synthetic oil you should be ok.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: Elijafir on April 18, 2010, 09:24:02 AM
Ewww pennzoil..  I always use Castrol.  I use the weight recommended by the engine manufacturer.  10w40 in the GS.   And 5w30 in the subaru.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: joshr08 on April 18, 2010, 11:09:16 AM
yeah i wouldnt use a synthetic oil that holds up better to heat and takes more abuse before it starts to break down. :thumb:
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: sledge on April 18, 2010, 12:05:43 PM
Has anyone actually lost an engine as a direct result of the make they chose to fill it with??  :D
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: PachmanP on April 18, 2010, 12:41:53 PM
Quote from: tykho on April 17, 2010, 10:28:49 PM
Bored, what kind of oil do you guys run in your cars/bikes?

You get bored and decide to start fights on forums!!! You should go riding when you're bored.

Personally, I use 2% Milk. Skim gives better efficiency, but wears faster. Whole is just retarded. Oh and make sure it doesn't have vitamin D because your transmission won't work.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: burnymcstalls on April 18, 2010, 12:55:15 PM
Rotella T, non synthetic. dino oil I can share with my diesel, and no friction modifiers.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: DoD#i on April 18, 2010, 01:14:33 PM
Cheap oil changed often is better than expensive oil changed less often. Not to get to the absurd point of Frankie's claimed 200 mile changes on synthetics (pure waste of money & time IMHO).

Changed at the recommended intervals, cheap dead dino oil that meets the proper specifications is fine. Most of the difference in cost between cheap oil and premium oil is marketing, if it meets the same specs. This motor was designed to work with dino juice. If you look at the dipstick and it looks bad, go ahead and change it early - more often than not, real oil problems come from not checking the dipstick (or not checking it properly.)

10W40 not marked energy conserving (which is bad for wet clutches - you have one of those.) Cheap and generic unless you get enough warm fuzzies from some brand name with advertising BS to make it worthwhile to you to spend more on that. They certainly try to convince you it is - if there really was much difference, there would be a lot less need for spending on advertising, so figure out what all that advertising really means - it's not free, and you pay for it.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: gsJack on April 18, 2010, 01:44:44 PM
I've used the 15W-40 heavy duty oils (aka truck oils, diesel oils) for my last 100k GS500 miles and don't think you can find a better oil for an air cooled motorcycle engine.  Used Rotells T, Delvac, and Delo brands but stick to the Rotella T now that they've tested and added the JASO MA motorcycle spec.

http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=rotella-en&FC2=/rotella-en/html/iwgen/products/zzz_lhn.html&FC3=/rotella-en/html/iwgen/products/triple_protection_detail.html

Available everywhere and priced right.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: jdecaire on April 18, 2010, 05:20:14 PM
Quote from: dohabee on April 18, 2010, 08:30:21 AM
As long as you NEVER use synthetic oil you should be ok.
What's so bad about using synthetic oil?
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: ohgood on April 18, 2010, 05:48:35 PM
Quote from: sledge on April 18, 2010, 12:05:43 PM
Has anyone actually lost an engine as a direct result of the make they chose to fill it with??  :D

he knows logic ! ban him ! now !  ;)
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: BaltimoreGS on April 18, 2010, 06:21:08 PM
Quote from: jdecaire on April 18, 2010, 05:20:14 PM
Quote from: dohabee on April 18, 2010, 08:30:21 AM
As long as you NEVER use synthetic oil you should be ok.
What's so bad about using synthetic oil?

I think the claim is it allows the wet clutch to slip too much.

-Jessie
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: joshr08 on April 18, 2010, 07:04:42 PM
not if its made for motorcycles with wet clutch setup
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: jeremy_nash on April 18, 2010, 07:11:58 PM
 :thumb: I cant believe this thread has stayed on track as closely as it has so far.    :woohoo:
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: dohabee on April 18, 2010, 08:34:43 PM
Synthetic oil is the only way to go, using anything else is just asking for engine problems.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: jdecaire on April 18, 2010, 08:42:32 PM
Quote from: joshr08 on April 18, 2010, 07:04:42 PM
not if its made for motorcycles with wet clutch setup
oh ok...well ive only been using amsoil motorcycle 10w-40 synthetic and mobil 1 motorcycle 10w-40 synthetic ...i'm just concerned with possibly running into problems in the near future if i continue to run synthetic.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: Ingersoll on April 18, 2010, 09:09:55 PM
Quote from: gsJack on April 18, 2010, 01:44:44 PM
I've used the 15W-40 heavy duty oils (aka truck oils, diesel oils) for my last 100k GS500 miles and don't think you can find a better oil for an air cooled motorcycle engine.  Used Rotells T, Delvac, and Delo brands but stick to the Rotella T now that they've tested and added the JASO MA motorcycle spec.

:thumb:
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: black and silver twin on April 18, 2010, 09:12:03 PM
I run full synthetic in both my car (5w30 royal purple) and bike (5w40 castrol rs4t racing synthetic) Both were broken in and run for thosands of miles on conventional, I switched to synthetic the day I bough both. Ive put 7000 miles on the bike with no ill effects after switching, and put 60000miles on the car since switching with no ill effects.

Synthetic oil is more durable and stable than conventional with NO bad effects. It wont cause a clutch to slip, energy conserving additives do that. it wont cause leaks, wear does that.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: jrains89 on April 18, 2010, 09:14:24 PM
Quote from: dohabee on April 18, 2010, 08:34:43 PM
Synthetic oil is the only way to go, using anything else is just asking for engine problems.


Wat?     I have a probe with 320,000 miles on it and has always used the cheapest oil. Runs great. While i'm not saying synthetic isn't probably better, it's just kind of ridiculous to say that conventional oil leads to engine problems.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: black and silver twin on April 18, 2010, 09:19:21 PM
Quote from: jrains89 on April 18, 2010, 09:14:24 PM
Quote from: dohabee on April 18, 2010, 08:34:43 PM
Synthetic oil is the only way to go, using anything else is just asking for engine problems.


Wat?     I have a probe with 320,000 miles on it and has always used the cheapest oil. Runs great. While i'm not saying synthetic isn't probably better, it's just kind of ridiculous to say that conventional oil leads to engine problems.

The MOST important thing with oil is to change it regularly and run the correct viscosity. running synthetic is just a bonus.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: burnymcstalls on April 18, 2010, 09:23:02 PM
this discussion has been done once before, but the deciding factor between them is the oil's resistance to thermal and molecular breakdown ( through heat or shearing) and whether or not the oil contain friction modifiers to enhance lubrication on moving parts. With modern refinement techniques, the gap between them isn't as drastic as it once was, but you have a better chance of saving yourself from a boo boo ( like an overheat, or lack of oil) while running synthetic than conventional.

whatever you choose, make sure it does NOT contain friction modifiers for you bike, as the added ingredients wreak havoc on wet clutches, causing all kinds of potential wear and damage issues.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: mister on April 19, 2010, 12:57:45 AM
+2 on the milk  :icon_mrgreen:

Before I started using 2% milk I used....

Came new from the dealer with Motul 1000.
1,000km service - Motul 1000
6,000km service - Motul 1000
12,000km service - Motul 5100
18,000km service - Motul 5100

Next time you're bored, why not ask about chain lube?  :flipoff:

Michael
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: sledge on April 19, 2010, 01:38:19 AM
Quote from: burnymcstalls on April 18, 2010, 09:23:02 PM
this discussion has been done once before

Once???  :icon_lol: :icon_lol: :icon_lol:
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: mister on April 19, 2010, 02:53:55 AM
Quote from: sledge on April 19, 2010, 01:38:19 AM
Quote from: burnymcstalls on April 18, 2010, 09:23:02 PM
this discussion has been done once before

Once???  :icon_lol: :icon_lol: :icon_lol:

Well....

maybe twice...

BUT....

'twas a lo-o-o-o-ong time ago... right?

Michael
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: Eklipse on April 19, 2010, 03:36:08 AM
I used to use synthetic blend. Then my piston rod bearing went out at 11k miles. Could have had something to do with that wreck I got it.

Anyway, I use the cheapest oil in my 87 300zx (SuperTech, usually). 20w50 in the summer, 10w40 in the winter. 206k miles and still running strong. I change it about every 7k miles cause I'm poor. It burns about a couple quarts in between changes, but it's my baby.

Anyway, I spent all that extra money on synthetic blend after the break-in period and my piston rod bearing still went out and my crank is 4/2000ths out of round.

I really don't feel synthetic is worth the extra money unless you've got some exotic engine or you're running a race bike on the track.

If you're really paranoid about your investment and you have a lot of extra cash to blow for the synthetic, then go for it. I don't think it'll make much difference in the GS engine though, even in the long run.

Even if it saved having to change out a bearing or piston rings 10k miles earlier, the extra money you spent on synthetic would be more than the cost of the parts and service, and you would still have to do it regardless of whether you used dino or synthetic.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: Elijafir on April 19, 2010, 09:47:56 AM
Here's my $0.04 (since I already gave my $0.02.)

I work at an oil shop, so i see a lot of used oil.  It doesn't matter what kind of oil you're using.. changing it at proper intervals to keep it clean is priority #1.  On bikes with wet clutches #2 is DO NOT USE OIL WITH FRICTION MODIFIERS.  I HIGHLY disagree with the thought that is okay to run Synthetic oil longer than conventional oil because "It's more resistant to heat and wear."  Synthetic oil is just conventional oil that they "re-arrange the molecules" to make it "more resistant to heat and wear." And IMO a waste of money.  Unless, like previously mentioned, you are using it in a high performance racing type setting.  The engines that use our conventional Havoline and actually come in every 3,000 miles or 3 months are ALWAYS more clean than the engines that use our Valvoline full synthetic and only come in every 7 or 8 thousand miles.  My Subaru (with less than 20k on a rebuilt engine and transmission) Was burning about a quart of Havoline every 3k mi.  It was burning about a quart of BG Full Synthetic every 3k mi.  It hasn't burnt off any Castrol, and it feels more smooth from idle all the way up the power band.  I know that the refineries are pretty much all the same in this modern time.. but, whether it is advertising and/or manifest reality because of my belief which is influenced by said advertising.. my car stopped burning oil and feels better with Castrol.  I'm sold and it will only be Castrol in all my vehicles from now on.  To me it's worth the extra few dollars for a "quality oil."  I do know different refineries use different filtration processes.  There is no other reason that a Valvoline oil can be so much more translucent than a super tech oil.  (Super tech looks like recycled used oil to me!)

P.S.  The WORST engine sludge we see is ALWAYS in cars that are using Pennzoil!!  (And I used to be a Pennzoil fan, until I worked where I work!!)  We have actually REFUSED customers because the Pennzoil sludges up their engine so badly!
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: Norcon on April 19, 2010, 10:15:38 AM
mobil 1 in the car
cheapest oil on sale for the bike.

I bought the car new, I do all the maintenance myself and decided that IF i was lazy and did a change late, it would be better for it to have synthetic in there. (I know Mobil 1 isnt PURE Synthetic, cue Amsoil salesman) After 30k miles, im considering changing to cheaper dinolube. I do all my changes on time (once in a while 300-400 miles late), I don't think its worth the extra cost, 10-15 vs 25-30.

As for the bike, the engine was designed before a marketed need for synthetic was developed, long as its clean and lubes, i dont care care too much.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: BaltimoreGS on April 19, 2010, 02:51:41 PM
Quote from: Elijafir on April 19, 2010, 09:47:56 AM
It doesn't matter what kind of oil you're using.. changing it at proper intervals to keep it clean is priority #1.  I HIGHLY disagree with the thought that is okay to run Synthetic oil longer than conventional oil because "It's more resistant to heat and wear." 

+1

In my decade as a mechanic I have seen customers who use every brand of oil known to man and every snake oil additive to go with it.  I have also seen plenty of ruined engines and the vast majority of them were caused by lack of maintenance.  Synthetic oil may be more resistant to heat, etc. but no oil prevents blow by.  The longer you leave the oil in your engine, the more blow by you have building up in your crank case.  The sooner you drain that crud out of there the better.  Most auto manufacturers recommend 5,000 mile service intervals now.  I still do 3,000 on my personal vehicles with inexpensive conventional oil.  Buy whatever oil makes you feel warm and fuzzy, changing it often is what will make your engine last.

-Jessie
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: PachmanP on April 19, 2010, 08:09:52 PM
dohabee I see what you're doin' :icon_twisted:
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: dohabee on April 19, 2010, 08:15:18 PM
Quote from: PachmanP on April 19, 2010, 08:09:52 PM
dohabee I see what you're doin' :icon_twisted:

Who me?  :angel:
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: vorBH on April 19, 2010, 08:31:49 PM
I just put in full syntheic 10W-50 Belray...noticable difference!...way better, engine runs freely...better on the powerbands...feels less restricted
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: tykho on April 19, 2010, 08:36:15 PM
I can't believe how many replies this thread got, lol. The Valvoline motorcycle 10w40 was on sale for $3.50 a qt, so I'm happy!
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: spc on April 19, 2010, 08:50:11 PM
Quote from: Eklipse on April 19, 2010, 03:36:08 AM
4/2000ths
Y'know, we're simple folk 'round here.  4/2000 is a little........ummm.....unsimple.  Maybe you could try 'simplifying' it to say 1/500th
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: Eklipse on April 19, 2010, 10:41:38 PM
lol fine, 1/500th out of round :P

I don't know how much of a problem that's going to cause once I get everything running right. I could hear knocking before, but the carbs were really lean.
Title: Re: Oil?
Post by: ohgood on April 20, 2010, 06:25:31 AM
Quote from: Eklipse on April 19, 2010, 10:41:38 PM
lol fine, 1/500th out of round :P

I don't know how much of a problem that's going to cause once I get everything running right. I could hear knocking before, but the carbs were really lean.


I'll assume you mean .010" out of round, which is -.005" / +.005", correct ?

Can't imagine a type of oil having anything to do with that happening. Maybe running it out of oil....