[VAC] Re: Info On Engines Please

[Jim Dunmyer <jdunmyer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jim,
  AmsOil is highly spoken of by those who use it, but I really don't 
know how much longer an engine will run on it vs. petroleum-based stuff. 
Many folks on some of the other RV forums use nothing but AmsOil, but 
I've heard of no other synthetics by brand name that are in popular use. 
Those users of AmsOil tend to run much longer between changes, 20,000 
miles or even more. BUT! most use oil analysis to monitor conditions, 
and they do change the filter at much shorter intervals, topping off the 
oil level as needed.

I just overhauled my VW Diesel with 261,000 miles on it; it had had 
regular oil, changed at 3000 mile intervals. The bottom end looked like 
brand-new; I wouldn't have been afraid to run the bearings another 
200,000 miles. However, the rings were worn, 2 were broken, and all 
cylinders were .005"+ oversized beneath the ridge. Compression was down 
to 300 PSI, and it should be between 400 and 500 PSI. Needless to say, 
it was getting hard to start.

I ran two previous VW Diesels to 200,000+ miles, using regular oil, 
different brands, just 15W-40 Diesel-rated stuff. I pulled the oil pump 
on one at 160,000 miles and it looked like brand-new. The new owner of 
the other pulled the engine apart at 200,000 miles (long story) and the 
bearings and crank looked like new, with just slight wear in the cylinders.

The usage on the VWs was similar to towing with a pickup truck, as much 
of it was on the expressway at 70+ MPH. That's working that 52HP motor 
pretty hard!

My Dodge manual calls for synthetic oil in the rear end for "heavy-duty 
towing applications". It's going to get changed to that this Spring. One 
incentive is that I'm hoping to be towing a newer, larger trailer by then.

Although synthetic transmission oil will stand high temperatures better 
than regular ATF, the seals are going to suffer from excessive heat. A 
good cooler is still called for.

Good oil filters are important. I've heard folks knock Fram, and I won't 
use them myself, but a friend uses nothing but Fram and runs his 
vehicles to high mileage w/o problems. I like Wix filters; NAPA gets 
theirs from Wix.

As Gerald points out, there are many other things more likely to give 
trouble on the road than a worn-out engine, especially as a vehicle gets 
some age on it. Replacing that stuff before it goes bad is cheap 
insurance. Spending half your travel time being broken down isn't fun. 
(not that I have to tell YOU!)

                                       <<Jim>>