My eurostar has now done 600,000 ks
and whilst the engine is tip top and only burns a pint every 1500 miles or so
I was thinking of changing the oil to synthetic at next oil change
any opinions posative negative would be appreciated
Thanks
Can only relate to car engines and the different combinations of oil available, but I suspect the principal is the same…
The ‘old’ mineral type oil was specifically designed to be used in the ‘old’ type of engine block, specifically ‘cast-iron’. It kinda makes sense, thick oil for a thick engine. (This is very basic of course)
The ‘new’ type of oil (synthetic) is therfore designed specifically for the ‘new’ type of lighter engine (aluminium) where temperatures and wear are significantly higher.
I have been told that unless you have been using ‘synthetic’ oil from the start (even in cast-iron blocks) there is very little gain from changing over. You may get a little more protection for your initial start up as the ‘synthetics’ tend to leave a ‘coat’ on the moving parts (all oils do, but synths dont lay it on so thickly and cause spots where there is no oil cover)
Someone, somewhere, will know better of course, thats the nature of this site, but I do hope this helps…
Terry
Its funny I put something in this post but it has gone
We changed to synthetic a few years ago and the older trucks used more oil, even those that didnt use oil before.
The new ones benefit more as the oil is lubricating new parts and not slightly worn bearings.
The worse time for an engine is cold starting after the oil has run away from the bearing surface. I believe the modern ingredients in synthetics are a bit clingier than old polyeurothane additives.
the old fogey in me thinks that oil is cheaper than an engine so needs changing at regular intervals, Im not sure leaving oil in for 12 months or more is a good idea. Synthetic is a lot more expensive, maybe the ideal is use semi synth and change it as before
My only comment I can make is that my lorry was filled with synthetic oil in the diff & box from new and has only just been changed for the first time last month.It is 5 years old and has covered over 650,000 k’s.
Other than that it’s all way above my head