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RE: [T3] oil light flicker


On 9 Jun 2005 at 9:52, Kevin Guarnotta wrote:

> I just switched to straight 30 wt after the trip. I had been hearing
> recently on the vintagebus list that multi-weight oil is not good to use in
> out engines. This is due to the fact that our engines run too hot for the
> multi-weight oil. At the high temps the polymers in the oil-that help the
> oil provide a range of viscosities-break down, and you end up with the
> lighter weight oil.

This was certainly correct at the time when our cars were built, but multi-
viscosity oils have gotten much better since then. It's not at all clear 
whether they have gotten good enough for us, but I use multigrade oil now since 
that's about all I can find these days. It seems to work fine for me.

The breakdown mechanism you describe is accurate. If you buy a 10W-40 oil and 
then it breaks down, you are left with a 10W oil. For this reason, it would be 
best if we could find 20W-40. I used that for a long time, but I haven't seen 
it for years. Some makers sell a 15W-40, which should be very good, but it 
turns out to be rather pricey.

-- 
Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711-3054
USA

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