Oil change info.

[Captain Beaky]

Hello All,

Just a quick Quest.

I have always doubled up on the oil changes on every vehicle I have ever owned.

e.g. If the service interval on my car is 12,000 miles, so it gets the 12,000 mile service by the dealer, but I also change the oil myself at 6,000 miles, and always use a good quality oil (Synthetic on higher performance/Turbocharged machines)

It has served me well, as I have NEVER had any engine wear problems.

I used to do this on my Yamaha Thundercat, as it had a wet clutch, and the oil would look pretty bad at 2000 miles (4000 mile services) and it would help prevent the snatchy clutch that is normal on those bikes.

Is it worth doing this on the 1150 GS, as the oil still looks pretty good at 9,000 miles (3000 since the 6000 mile service) - Probably due to the lack of a wet clutch.

Does anyone else do this?

Cheers,

 

[bandit]

Oil change

I probably do about 6-7k a year. I change my oil every 3K.

I have always done this.

Oil is cheap compared to a knackered engine.

 

[Bill]

Oil!

Hi Mike,
The choice of oil is a very contentious issue. Everyone seems to have a point of view.
I have worked in engine development for Ford Research for 25 years and we've never had a lubrication failure issue.
Oil is very over-engineered. It is designed to do a very difficult task under extremely hostile conditions. It does this job very well and with quite a wide safety margin.
We have temperature and pressure limits that are tested to the extreme and it's only lately that we have started to use semi-synthetic oil, mainly for friction/fuel economy advantages.
Up to now, we've used the basic 10w/30 oils for every engine.
I have run friction tests on basic oils thru synthetics to one off designer oils and the conclusion was that you don't have to spend a lot of money to get good results.
The bottom line is, use a good quality oil, not necessarily synthetic or even semi-synthetic, and change it regularly i.e 3 to 5000 miles between changes depending on use and conditions.

Having said all that, each to their own!

Regards Bill.

 

[Mick Fagan]

Bill, Some time ago Ford engineers rebuilt a straight six or V8 engine without any lubricant.

As I understand it, the engine lasted 12 seconds before seizing up!

Has there been, to your knowledge that is, any further development or should I say longer life span of an unlubricated engine due to usage of things like Nikasil Barrels and the like?

Mick.

Ps: I agree with your assessment of lubricants.

 

[bandit]

More than you ever wanted to know about motor oil

http://www.fernblatt.com/longhurst/engineoil_bible.html

 

[Bill]

Hi Mick,
About fifteen years ago when there was a programme to build adiabatic engines. The major thrust for this project came from the military. These engines ran without lubrication and coolant. The secret of their success (and downfall!) was the extensive use of ceramics. Ceramic bearings and surfaces enabled the project to work, but the fragility of the material prevented a useable product, so the idea was shelved.

 

[shready]

Oil info

Just saw this link all about oil, not bad.

It's aimed at cars but it explains all about oil types etc.

http://www.fernblatt.com/longhurst/engineoil_bible.html

OK Bandit I just saw that you posted the link earlier, doh!!

Great minds think alike eh.

 

[farout]

F.A.O. CAPTAIN BEAKY.

HI MIKE , i see in your thread you had a thundercat, i was thinking of getting one for a second bike, how did you get on with-it? is it an all-rounder? good & bad things? also i am 6'6" tall will it be to small? i've heard there not a bad bike,even to tour-on,not as good as the g.s?

 

[Deadskin]

Oil question

Hi all

Question: I've got red oil what's that then ?

May seem a daft Question but if your not sure what's in the engine what would be safe to top it up with ?

cheers
gauloises

 

[boxer]

Mark.

Sounds like castrol GPS.

My '98 1100 came with it and has had it every 3k since. It's now at 29k.

Regards.

Russ.

 

[shready]

Red Oil

Red oil is definately Castrol GPS (semi-synthetic).

Unless, it's 2 stoke mix, that is!!!

For top ups if you are not sure what is in there my guess would dependent upon the engine. If it's not yet run in I would use Castrol mineral oil (GTX, I think it is), otherwise, Gastrol GPS semi.

I have been warned never to use fully-synthetic in a boxer engine as it would cause damage in no time, that is best reserved for Jap crap.

Cheers.

Jon.

 

[BBB61]

I have been told that you shouldn't use synthetic oil in a new engine. The reason being that it is so good that it won't allow the engine to bed in properly. Once the engine has covered 10-12000 miles, it is usually ok to use synthetic. I have never heard anyone say it shouldn't be used in the oilhead twins though.

Bob Southgate

 

[Paul Wakefield]

My garage insists it SHOULD be used after using bog standard GTX or similar for the first 6 -12,000 miles.

Paul