Wrong oil

[rcx132]

Modern oils (Non-synthetic/semi-synthetic/fully synthetic are ultimately marketing BS these days) don't burn as easily and have a higher shear, which means they remain on cylinder walls longer compared with old oils, and don't scrape of as easy. This can reduce oil consumption, however you do risk bore glazing, especially on engines that aren't worked hard from new.

I ran this past ChatGPT on the same thread where I asked it if Synthetic oil is ok on my older cars:

This concern is minimal unless the engine is rebuilt or new. If the engine has many miles, synthetic oil is unlikely to cause bore glazing unless the car is rarely driven hard at all. Regular driving should prevent it.

There are a lot of claims out there. You cant believe them all. If Mobile 1 is willing to warrant their synthetic oil on my old cars, I'm fine with that.

The detergent effect is apparently more true:

The claim that synthetic oil can "dislodge old grime" in an engine is partly true, especially for older engines that have been using conventional oil for a long time.

Synthetic oils contain more effective detergents and dispersants compared to conventional oils. This can:

Clean deposits: Synthetic oil can gradually dissolve old sludge or carbon deposits, which might have built up over years of using conventional oil.

Potential clogging: In some cases, if an engine is heavily sludged, the cleaning action of synthetic oil could loosen large amounts of debris, potentially clogging oil passages or the oil filter.

To mitigate risks, it's advisable to:

Use a synthetic blend first if you're concerned about a sudden switch.
Change the oil filter more frequently when switching to synthetic in older engines.
Monitor the engine's performance and check for leaks or signs of clogging.

 

[m_c]

And that just shows why you can't rely on ChatGPT.
Detergent oils have existed since long before synthetic oils became a thing.

 

[rcx132]

And that just shows why you can't rely on ChatGPT.
Detergent oils have existed since long before synthetic oils became a thing.

It makes mistakes, but in this case it's saying Synthetic oils contain *more* effective detergents.

 

[dave h 2]

Pretty sure GTX had detergent in it. What synthetic doesn't do is sludge up and I had an old 2.5pi that you couldn't see the valve gear any more.

 

[Old Dog]

Don't mix oils, some will but others will react to each other and the oil will turn to jelly. I could give vehicle reg numbers that it's happened on with the engine needing stripping to clean out the oil system but I've learnt that it's not worth the hassle, so If it was my vehicle I would change the oil and filter.

 

[addjunkie]

Don't mix oils, some will but others will react to each other and the oil will turn to jelly. I could give vehicle reg numbers that it's happened on with the engine needing stripping to clean out the oil system but I've learnt that it's not worth the hassle, so If it was my vehicle I would change the oil and filter.

Ive seen jelly oil, but cant remember what had been mixed with what….it was a boat engine, so could have been anything.

 

[Misterg]

I ran this past ChatGPT...

ChatGPT "knows" nothing. It simply regurgitates what it has "heard" on the internet.

G.I.G.O.

 

[rcx132]

ChatGPT "knows" nothing. It simply regurgitates what it has "heard" on the internet.

G.I.G.O.

Yes it regurgitates, but not entirely true to say "what it's heard on the internet". It's training data is made up of a wide range of scholarly sources + some internet sites. From what I can tell, Copilot just uses the internet. This means that ChatGPT is better for academic queries, while Copilot is better for things like searching manufacturers online inventory (very usefuly during my buggy build).

 

[MattF]

ChatGPT "knows" nothing. It simply regurgitates what it has "heard" on the internet.

Like some folk.

 

[GRW]

older engines on motorbikes shouldnt be run on modern syntheyic oil as it has detergent in it and scours the engine and shoves all the crap through your white metal and bronze bearings .my norton runs on 50 grade morris oil , ive fitted a screw on oil filter kit to it so now can be run on synthetic if i want as the old filter was in the sump plug just a gauze and a magnet

I ran my 04 Beemer with the 1150 Boxer motor on Morris' 20w/50.
As I've said, I'd prefer the advice of industry boffins over some AI or Internet stuff.
Engines were designed & tested on the oils that were available at the time. While of course that does not mean that a more modern oil cannot be better - it also does not mean that it might be detrimental either! If a Mfr or Oil Co recommends a newer oil as suitable - then I'd consider it.
Otherwise (& given the cost per litre of modern synthetics) cost-wise it can be cheaper to use the original spec oil, & simply change it more often (especially on lots of motorbikes where the mileages annually often aren't anywhere near the mileage marker for replacement).

 

[RWD3M]

The use of oils containing detergent (which is pretty much anything that was developed post-war) is only really an issue if you use it in an engine without and oil filter where it will carry the carp in suspension and recirculate it rather than have it caught in an oil filter.

Oh, and GTX, Duckhams Q (Halfords Classic) etc, all have a detergent element to them. You need to look for the likes of Morrisoil or Penrite mono grades to find oil without detergent. Though there are probably others. And this could all be nonsense too

 

[Smallfry]

I learnt quite a lot about oils when I worked in Agri and Plant, and there is a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about the subject. I could expand on this ...............

But in response to the OPs question ....... Don't worry about it, but don't put any more in !

 

[Morrisman]

I ran my 04 Beemer with the 1150 Boxer motor on Morris' 20w/50.
As I've said, I'd prefer the advice of industry boffins over some AI or Internet stuff.
Engines were designed & tested on the oils that were available at the time. While of course that does not mean that a more modern oil cannot be better - it also does not mean that it might be detrimental either! If a Mfr or Oil Co recommends a newer oil as suitable - then I'd consider it.
Otherwise (& given the cost per litre of modern synthetics) cost-wise it can be cheaper to use the original spec oil, & simply change it more often (especially on lots of motorbikes where the mileages annually often aren't anywhere near the mileage marker for replacement).

I use this in my Beemer. It’s gone up from about £25 when I first started using it 8 years ago. It’s 5 litres, BM takes 3.9, so with general consumption top ups it last until next oil change is done. (When it runs out)

Sometimes in winter I use a 10/40 semi as the 20/50 is like treacle when the temps are hovering just above freezing.

 

[Kerelise]

A neighbour here never worried what that yellow light on the dashboard of a 2019 Focus meant. Eventually, as Rolls Royce would say, the car "failed to proceed", and she was told a new engine required cos lack of oil killed the current engine - £3.5k apparently. Is this right, even in a worst case scenario - is the engine truly an ornament now?

 

[DanZac]

A neighbour here never worried what that yellow light on the dashboard of a 2019 Focus meant. Eventually, as Rolls Royce would say, the car "failed to proceed", and she was told a new engine required cos lack of oil killed the current engine - £3.5k apparently. Is this right, even in a worst case scenario - is the engine truly an ornament now?

If its been run with no oil in it, then it'll probably have knackered all the bearings, even if it hasn't seized solid.

By the time you pay some one to rebuild an engine (if it's even rebuildable) it'll be considerably quicker, and therfore cheaper, to simply swap the engine. Either way the engines going to be coming out of the car, and no garage is going to want a vehicle cluttering up the workshop for weeks on end while they rebuild it when it's less than a days work to swap in a reconditioned engine.

I'd guess that 3.5k is probably about right, when you add in the labour etc.

The moral of this story is dont ignore the little warning light, it's there for a reason, not just to make the dashboard look pretty.

 

[brightspark]

A neighbour here never worried what that yellow light on the dashboard of a 2019 Focus meant. Eventually, as Rolls Royce would say, the car "failed to proceed", and she was told a new engine required cos lack of oil killed the current engine - £3.5k apparently. Is this right, even in a worst case scenario - is the engine truly an ornament now?

no garage would entertain rebuilding a modern engine time and material wise .and getting a second hand one is a pain, year model etc must be exact or the computer wont like it if every component isnt matched

 

[premmington]

no garage would entertain rebuilding a modern engine time and material wise .and getting a second hand one is a pain, year model etc must be exact or the computer wont like it if every component isnt matched

I will fit customer supplied used engines - but you will be buying them and paying the labour up front!

I will remove and rebuild certain engines - but to do it to any standard - this costs the earth. I got a 2.0 turbo out of 2013 328 M sport BMW at the moment. New crank/shells/one conrod. Owner keeps talking about his "new engine" - but this is quoted out as a repair to what has failed!

We will fit exchange engines - but by the time you buy all the gaskets - and other stuff - you still bolting very used ancillaries and injection gear onto them.

New engines ex dealership are expensive - but they do come with a lot on them.

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My advice is everytime: If the engine is dead - sell the vehicle off for salvage.

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If you doing it for yourself - and there is no billed labour content to the repair - this is a "different kettle of fish" - cost wise...

 

[rcx132]

A neighbour here never worried what that yellow light on the dashboard of a 2019 Focus meant. Eventually, as Rolls Royce would say, the car "failed to proceed", and she was told a new engine required cos lack of oil killed the current engine - £3.5k apparently. Is this right, even in a worst case scenario - is the engine truly an ornament now?

Let me guess, did she start slating the garage for their "greedy" quote?

I have endless arguments with our cleaner, she's always bad mouthing the garages and I'm trying to explain to her how many hours these jobs take.

 

[brightspark]

I will fit customer supplied used engines - but you will be buying them and paying the labour up front!

I will remove and rebuild certain engines - but to do it to any standard - this costs the earth. I got a 2.0 turbo out of 2013 328 M sport BMW at the moment. New crank/shells/one conrod. Owner keeps talking about his "new engine" - but this is quoted out as a repair to what has failed!

We will fit exchange engines - but by the time you buy all the gaskets - and other stuff - you still bolting very used ancillaries and injection gear onto them.

New engines ex dealership are expensive - but they do come with a lot on them.

--------

My advice is everytime: If the engine is dead - sell the vehicle off for salvage.

--------

If you doing it for yourself - and there is no billed labour content to the repair - this is a "different kettle of fish" - cost wise...

yep

 

[sg66]

I will fit customer supplied used engines - but you will be buying them and paying the labour up front!

I will remove and rebuild certain engines - but to do it to any standard - this costs the earth. I got a 2.0 turbo out of 2013 328 M sport BMW at the moment. New crank/shells/one conrod. Owner keeps talking about his "new engine" - but this is quoted out as a repair to what has failed!

We will fit exchange engines - but by the time you buy all the gaskets - and other stuff - you still bolting very used ancillaries and injection gear onto them.

New engines ex dealership are expensive - but they do come with a lot on them.

--------

My advice is everytime: If the engine is dead - sell the vehicle off for salvage.

--------

If you doing it for yourself - and there is no billed labour content to the repair - this is a "different kettle of fish" - cost wise...

I usually use dead engine as an excuse to see what else will fit

Slight mix of oil in old engine as most others have said wouldn't worry.