RE: Oil Pressure Question

["Erkson, Toby" <toby.erkson@intel.com>]

> I know some swear by it.. and maybe its better today...

Yep, today's synthetic is far better.

> AND MOST IMPORTANTLY.. and even Toby will agree (I hope) is 
> that if your NOT
> running with an aftermarket filter (in otherwords no filter at all)
> DO NOT USE THE SYNTH as it will clean out all the neatly stored sludge
> and crap and continuously pump it through your bearings.

Yep, I agree.  This can then lead to engine failure due to a
blocked/restricted
oil passage.  

If you *really* want to keep it in then you need to change the oil and clean
the
oil screen very often initially, then use the normal oil change interval,
after
which you can increase the change interval if you desire.  I really don't
know
what the beginning oil change interval would be since it depends on the age
of
the engine.  A SHEER GUESS would be:  Switch to synthetic.  Drive about 50
miles
and change oil/screen (all oil will now be synthetic).  Drive 50 miles and
change oil/screen.  Repeat two more times (total oil changes to date = 4). 
Drive 100 miles and change oil/screen. Repeat one more time (total oil
changes
to date = 6).  Drive 1000 miles and change oil/screen.  During each interval
above try to drive on a long stretch of road, like a freeway or highway, so
you
can get the engine up to its maximum operating temperature and really get
the
oil flowing at pressure continuously.  Begin normal oil change/screen
routine of
every 3000 miles or whatever you were previously doing.  Make sure the oil
is
hot when you drain it and let it drain for a half hour.  You want everything
out!

As you can see it's pretty damn expensive initially, that's why I recommend
not
switching over to synthetic until the engine is done being broken in from a
rebuild (a new engine must be broken in using conventional oil unless the
builder specifies otherwise).  Maybe a cleaning or flushing oil could be
used to
clean up the interior more quickly, thus reducing the numerous oil changes
stated above, but this is really beyond me and an automotive/petroleum
engineer
should be consulted.  If the engine becomes equipped with a full flow oil
filter
system then the number of oil changes can really be reduced as such a filter
provides excellent oil filtration.  Even if you don't ever want to use
synthetic
you should use an external filter as it will significantly increase the life
of
the engine (providing everything else remains equal, like driving habits).
   Toby Erkson
   air_cooled_nut@pobox.com  <-- Please use this address for email
   '72 VW Squareback 1.6L bored and stroked to 2.0L
   '75 Porsche 914 1.8L, ORPCA member
   Portland, Oregon, http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/8501/