Which oil do you use or refuse to use?

Mike Rapoport wrote:

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...

Mike Rapoport wrote:


wrote in message
e.com...


AeroShell 15W50 in a Lyc 0320-E2D in a 172M. Religously preheat below
35 deg F, change at least every 30 hrs including filter, carefully
keep cooling baffles in place and keep clean cyl fins, burn mostly
autofuel.

Now at only 1700 hrs TTSNew, never open except for oil pump AD, and 30
hrs /quart (i. e. I never add any between changes). Oil analysis keep
coming back w no problems.

The dilemma - when should I tear it down on general principle?


If it is not making metal then it is not wearing out. Engines can last a
long time under the right circumstances. I remember hearing of a Chevy
V8 powering a natural gas compressor in Texas that ran without stopping
for over 30 years at high power without an oil change.

Well, I'll bet it had a continual oil change (make-up oil HAD to be added)
and probably had a very high efficiency oil filter.


Matt



Yes, oil was added but it have a regular 1960's oil filter.

Mike
MU-2



I don't know what a typical oil consumption is for a Chevy V-8 of that
vintage, but I'll guess it got a complete oil change every 100-200 hours
then.

Did they ever change the oil filter? I don't see how they could if it
had the standard auto spin-on. If they didn't, then this filter was in
bypass mode after probably 500-1000 hours. Most ground power units like
this have an external filter with a manual bypass so the filter can be
changed while the engine is running.


Matt