Synthetic vs Petroleum - Page 3

**Cajunrider** · 07-29-2008, 09:00 PM

Just did my 4,000 mile change Saturday. Mobil 1 20w-50 for $8.58 per quart and SuperTech filter for $2.48 at WalMart. I spoke to the mechanic at the dealership who put my son's V900 together about blending 20w-50 and 10w-40 in the winter months. He told me that many he knows do this but the specific gravity of the 20w-50 is higher than the 10w-40 causing the heavier oil to settle at the bottom of the crankcase overnight. Working in the NGL industry with different component specific gravitys never brought this to my mind. I would have thought that the oils would have blended somewhere between 20/50 and 10/40 and remained there. He did say that shortly after the engine is started the oils are blended again??

07-29-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

Just did my 4,000 mile change Saturday. Mobil 1 20w-50 for $8.58 per quart and SuperTech filter for $2.48 at WalMart. I spoke to the mechanic at the dealership who put my son's V900 together about blending 20w-50 and 10w-40 in the winter months. He told me that many he knows do this but the specific gravity of the 20w-50 is higher than the 10w-40 causing the heavier oil to settle at the bottom of the crankcase overnight. Working in the NGL industry with different component specific gravitys never brought this to my mind. I would have thought that the oils would have blended somewhere between 20/50 and 10/40 and remained there. He did say that shortly after the engine is started the oils are blended again??

Let's hear from the experts on this one.... I would have thought they blended.... ::) and if they don't.... is there a problem with the heavier oil settling anyway? My understanding is that 20-50 is 20wt that acts like 50 at higher temps...

C'mon BD and Cadd... enlighten....

(I love oil threads) lol

07-31-2008, 01:16 AM

As far as I know to have the API symbol on them, all engine oils must be compatible and should blend just fine.

If you mix 10w40 and 20w-50 you do not get 15w-45 though. The business isn't proportional as far as the numbers go.

This should be easy to prove, Nico. Put some 10w40 and 20w-50 in a glass jar and shake it up good. Let it sit over night & see if it settles out in 2 layers. I do not think it will.

08-01-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caddmannq

As far as I know to have the API symbol on them, all engine oils must be compatible and should blend just fine.

If you mix 10w40 and 20w-50 you do not get 15w-45 though. The business isn't proportional as far as the numbers go.

This should be easy to prove, Nico. Put some 10w40 and 20w-50 in a glass jar and shake it up good. Let it sit over night & see if it settles out in 2 layers. I do not think it will.

Now you tell me Cadd... I used BD's alternate method. I drank some of each and waited to see which came out first.... ;)

08-01-2008, 03:36 PM

well with the 15w being lighter, that should have come out through the mouth, and the 45w being heavier should have come out the, well, lets just say no need for Preparation H is needed.

**coacha** · 08-01-2008, 08:50 PM

I run 20W-50 synthetic in mine, can't remember the brand (Castrol probably from Autozone).

pablo · 08-01-2008, 09:36 PM

Royal Purple Max-Cycle 20W50 summer; 10W40 winter.

08-02-2008, 07:39 PM

Nico, with the mixture you're running, you'd see stripes in the site glass. ;)

And please believe me when I say that being Italian does NOT give you the ability to digest motor oil. Olive oil, yes. Canola oil, fine, Peanut oil? OK if you're not allergic. Corn oil? Sure, but forget the motor oil. You'll be springing a leak that no additive will stop. ;)

08-05-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caddmannq

Nico, with the mixture you're running, you'd see stripes in the site glass. ;)

And please believe me when I say that being Italian does NOT give you the ability to digest motor oil. Olive oil, yes. Canola oil, fine, Peanut oil? OK if you're not allergic. Corn oil? Sure, but forget the motor oil. You'll be springing a leak that no additive will stop. ;)

;)

08-05-2008, 07:39 PM

LOL

djh · 08-10-2008, 03:21 AM

MOBIL 1 V TWIN 20W50 CHANGED IT TODAY @ 4000 MILES ( NEW BIKE) . TOOK A SHORT 250 MILE TRIP UP ON Ca. 49 AND BACK HOME . I DID NOTICE A DIFFERENCE. RIDE SAFE ! DJH

Blue Rebel · 08-12-2008, 10:36 PM

Changed using Kawasaki oil, 20w50 Petroleum. Am thinking to change to the Mobile1 Synthetic 15w50, in the next 1,500 miles. I'm not happy with the feel of the shifting or the sound of the pistons.

Pop Alexandra · 08-08-2024, 04:07 AM

I've used both and find synthetic more reliable than petroleum. It is easier to predict the lifespan of the engine.
___________________
Alexandra
Hydrocarbon extraction

redjay · 08-11-2024, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pop Alexandra

I've used both and find synthetic more reliable than petroleum. It is easier to predict the lifespan of the engine.
___________________
Alexandra
Hydrocarbon extraction

I have never had a mechanical failure due to an oiling issue.
The lifespan of an engine is decided by many factors and not just the type of oil that is used.
I have used both regular and synthetic oil and for my needs regular oil is sufficient and the added cost of synthetic is unjustified.

07-29-2008, 09:00 PM	#31
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Synthetic vs Petroleum Just did my 4,000 mile change Saturday. Mobil 1 20w-50 for $8.58 per quart and SuperTech filter for $2.48 at WalMart. I spoke to the mechanic at the dealership who put my son's V900 together about blending 20w-50 and 10w-40 in the winter months. He told me that many he knows do this but the specific gravity of the 20w-50 is higher than the 10w-40 causing the heavier oil to settle at the bottom of the crankcase overnight. Working in the NGL industry with different component specific gravitys never brought this to my mind. I would have thought that the oils would have blended somewhere between 20/50 and 10/40 and remained there. He did say that shortly after the engine is started the oils are blended again?? __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-31-2008, 01:16 AM	#33
Guest Posts: n/a	Synthetic vs Petroleum As far as I know to have the API symbol on them, all engine oils must be compatible and should blend just fine. If you mix 10w40 and 20w-50 you do not get 15w-45 though. The business isn't proportional as far as the numbers go. This should be easy to prove, Nico. Put some 10w40 and 20w-50 in a glass jar and shake it up good. Let it sit over night & see if it settles out in 2 layers. I do not think it will.
	0

08-01-2008, 03:36 PM	#35
Guest Posts: n/a	Synthetic vs Petroleum well with the 15w being lighter, that should have come out through the mouth, and the 45w being heavier should have come out the, well, lets just say no need for Preparation H is needed. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-01-2008, 08:50 PM	#36
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	Synthetic vs Petroleum I run 20W-50 synthetic in mine, can't remember the brand (Castrol probably from Autozone). __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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08-01-2008, 09:36 PM	#37
pablo Advanced Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Huntsville, TX Posts: 571	Synthetic vs Petroleum Royal Purple Max-Cycle 20W50 summer; 10W40 winter.
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08-02-2008, 07:39 PM	#38
Guest Posts: n/a	Synthetic vs Petroleum Nico, with the mixture you're running, you'd see stripes in the site glass. ;) And please believe me when I say that being Italian does NOT give you the ability to digest motor oil. Olive oil, yes. Canola oil, fine, Peanut oil? OK if you're not allergic. Corn oil? Sure, but forget the motor oil. You'll be springing a leak that no additive will stop. ;)
	0

08-05-2008, 07:39 PM	#40
Guest Posts: n/a	Synthetic vs Petroleum LOL
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08-10-2008, 03:21 AM	#41
djh Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pioneer Ca. Posts: 130	Synthetic vs Petroleum MOBIL 1 V TWIN 20W50 CHANGED IT TODAY @ 4000 MILES ( NEW BIKE) . TOOK A SHORT 250 MILE TRIP UP ON Ca. 49 AND BACK HOME . I DID NOTICE A DIFFERENCE. RIDE SAFE ! DJH
	0

08-12-2008, 10:36 PM	#42
Blue Rebel Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines Posts: 607	Synthetic vs Petroleum Changed using Kawasaki oil, 20w50 Petroleum. Am thinking to change to the Mobile1 Synthetic 15w50, in the next 1,500 miles. I'm not happy with the feel of the shifting or the sound of the pistons.
	0

08-08-2024, 04:07 AM	#43
Pop Alexandra Jr. Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 4	I've used both and find synthetic more reliable than petroleum. It is easier to predict the lifespan of the engine. ___________________ Alexandra Hydrocarbon extraction
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