Damage from using non spec oil.

[agallant80]

So it seams on any forum I am on that has anythign to do with a motor there are threads that drone on and on about this oil vs that oil. What I want to know is have any of the mechanics on this site seen issues with customers that do not use the recommended oil? If so what issues have you seen from using the wrong oil? I know Merc reccomends 25-40 but have you seen customers use 0-20 and blow up their engines or 15-40 and cause damage?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Damage from using non spec oil.

Ayuh,.... You can run 'bout Any oil you can buy,...

So long as the oil is Clean, 'n at the proper level, Nope, Never seen any damage....

 

[matt167]

Re: Damage from using non spec oil.

I wouldn't run 0W20. It takes very tight clearences to make it work as it's almost the consistancy of water.. I would think about anything else, if it's clean it'll work.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Damage from using non spec oil.

Yeah I would not do 0-20, I don't even like running it in my cars even if it is the manfacturas spec.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Damage from using non spec oil.

Yeah I would not do 0-20, I don't even like running it in my cars even if it is the manfacturas spec.

It's probably instructive to look at why manufacturers specified using 5W-20 or 0W20 oil in new cars. They did this to INCREASE over all fleet mileage at the expense of increased bearing, camshaft, piston-ring and cyl wear.

The lighter oils DO reduce fuel consumption slightly but I don't know if you can see it and also increase wear ...........but probably not enough to matter since very few people keep their cars long enough.

I wouldn't use 0W-20 or 5W-20 in ANYTHING.

 

[QC]

Re: Damage from using non spec oil.

Anybody else holding back a chuckle? op2:

 

[Don S]

Re: Damage from using non spec oil.

Anybody else holding back a chuckle? op2:

After THIS THREAD (Make a special note of reply #5), it's more than a chuckle. More of a :facepalm:

 

[agallant80]

Re: Damage from using non spec oil.

The point of the thread was to see if anyone who rips these things apart for a living has seen damage from using the non spec oil. It came from a conversation I had with a friend about a mechanic who allegadly told someone she destroyed a motor by using the wrong oil. I find it hard to beleave and considering that twice I checked the oil on this motor for her and the dipstick was dry, I think if the motor did have issues (was running fine when she brought it in) It would have mroe to do with the dipstick being dry twice rather than using 10-30 instead of 5-20. But that's just me. Like I said I don't rip these things apart for a living so I wanted to see if the people who do have seen damage from people using the wrong oil. Damage as in "your motor is shot so you better trade her in before it stops running" kind of damage.

 

[matt167]

Re: Damage from using non spec oil.

As long as enough viscosity is used that the engine can build oil pressure, it will survive no immediate damage. This is meaning not running very light oils like 0W20 as most engines cannot build pressure with it as it is too low of viscosity.. Too much viscosity is just as bad but that is all Diesel oil so the brands are not conventional oil brands.. I'm talking 20W50 or thicker being too thick. I knew a guy who ran that in his old pickup. It would blow a quart into a PCV catch can otherwise, but it rattled and eventually seized on him.
What usually happens with this type of situation is the oil is never checked, and a problem isn't noticed until there is damage, and then it begins to use more and more oil, only adding when there is a problem. Before long the engine is destroyed from oil starvation

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Damage from using non spec oil.

After THIS THREAD (Make a special note of reply #5), it's more than a chuckle. More of a :facepalm:

Yeah.


And I didn't even notice that the OP has a "Cat" engine.......:faint2:.......


WAIT A MIN! IT's the SAME GUY!!!

Isn't there something about asking the same question over and over and expecting a different answer?

Anybody else holding back a chuckle? op2:

....no........... I can't hold it back!!!

 

[agallant80]

Re: Damage from using non spec oil.

Yeah.


And I didn't even notice that the OP has a "Cat" engine.......:faint2:.......


WAIT A MIN! IT's the SAME GUY!!!

Isn't there something about asking the same question over and over and expecting a different answer?

....no........... I can't hold it back!!!

Check Post#8 for clairfication. As for cats, thats a non issue. The motor in question did not have them.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Damage from using non spec oil.

Isn't there something about asking the same question over and over and expecting a different answer?

"Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein