Oil filtering & oil longevity question for all oil gurus

[Gumbo]

Check out the following Web site and let me know what you think about what these guys are doing...

www.taranetix.com

Supposedly it's an oil filtration and purification filter allowing you to never have to change your oil. The guy I buy Amsoil from has some kind of oil filter on his cars--not sure if it's an Amsoil oil filter or not--that he says cleans his oil so that he's never changed it. And both his cars have over 100K miles.

I have no idea about this stuff, and I've learned most of what little I do know from you guys here on WC. So reply or email me with your thoughts.

Thanks,
Dennis-UT
Dennis@Climbing-Guides.com

[Coldfront(IL)]

>Check out the following Web site and let me know what you
>think about what these guys are doing...
>
>www.taranetix.com
>
>Supposedly it's an oil filtration and purification filter
>allowing you to never have to change your oil. The guy I buy
>Amsoil from has some kind of oil filter on his cars--not
>sure if it's an Amsoil oil filter or not--that he says
>cleans his oil so that he's never changed it. And both his
>cars have over 100K miles.
>
>I have no idea about this stuff, and I've learned most of
>what little I do know from you guys here on WC. So reply or
>email me with your thoughts.
>
>Thanks,
>Dennis-UT
>Dennis@Climbing-Guides.com
Why would you even take a chance on somthing like that? Even if you get most of the grit out you still have the acid that is a by product of combustion. that alone will pit metal. regards jim

[Fishoil]

It's an interesting product. If the initial cost and the replacement filter cost isn't too high, there may be some worth in it. It basically combines a good filter with a heater to boil off contaminants. They still recommend that automotive oils be changed out at 15,000 miles. "Normal" driving, which most of us don't do regularly, will do the same thing as the heater in this unit.

Once your oil reaches about 180 degrees F, it begins to burn off contaminants, it takes about 12 miles of highway driving in the summer to reach this temp. However, over time the viscosity of the oil will increase due to contaminants that can't be burned off or filtered out. Also the additive package which constitutes the majority of the oil wears out and breaks down from the heat and contaminants. When this happens, what is left is not the same as the oil you poured into the vehicle initially.

I would have a hard time believing the guy who claims to have run the same oil 100,000 miles. If he truely hasn't changed the oil in that time I would bet he changes the filter regularly, and with it a quart or more of oil. This would rejuvinate it enough to keep going for a while and would amount to a complete oil change every 4 or 5 filter changes.

I'm always interested in new technology in the oil area, but like anything else, if it seems to good to be true, it probably is.

[The Great Guide]

Fishoil knows what he's talking about. Oil is oil. Once its' out of the ground and refined it is always oil. The additive package is what keeps your engine in good condition. The high temps cause the additives to break down causing all kinds of bad engine damaging stuff to form. The best your oil is ever going to be is when the additives are new. They start breaking down as soon as you start the engine. Oil is cheap and easy to install.

TGG

[Mike(Co)]

Fishoil or TGG

My wife drives her Honda Civic, 150 miles a day to work. I use Mobil-1 Syn. oil, and a Mob-1 filter. how often should I change it in your opinion? Also is this a good oil or would you suggest something else? I also use the same oil in my 92 Chev truck mainly used for towing what would your suggestions be on it?
Thanks in advance.

Good Fishing!
Mike

[Fishoil]

Hi Mike, Your wife's driving habits would put the car in the "normal" driving classification. If the engine is in good shape and tune you could safely stretch the oil change interval beyond the 3,000 mile mark. However, if she is driving in very hot or very cold weather I would still stick to the 3,000 mile interval. Mobil-1 is a very good oil, as are most of the synthetics on the market. It is an excellent choice for your truck if you are pulling heavy loads often. If you're hoping to save some money by extending change intervals, I'd suggest sticking to the 3,000 mile interval and using a quality conventional motor oil instead.

[JohnF]

Hi folks,

Here's my situation. I drive a Ford F250 Superduty with a Powerstroke engine. By the book, I'm supposed to be on the same oil schedule as every other car, 3000 - 5000 miles between changes. This engine takes 4 gallons of oil.

That's alot of stress on the pocket book, oil reserves, and environment at the disposal site.

I did some research and eventually bought into testing the Amsoil claims. I installed a bypass filter, air filter, high capacity full flow filter, and synthetic diesel oil, all from Amsoil. At 500 miles to the suggested intervals (10,000 miles for full flow, 25,000 miles for bypass) I made 2 samples of the oil and sent them away for analysis. One analyser was the Amsoil lab, the second was just for good measure.

Every analysis stated that the oil was good to go for one more interval. At the 30,000 mile (on the oil, 50,000 miles on the truck) I somehow damaged the copper washer that seals the drain plug when I took the samples and was leaving little drips everywhere. Decided to install a drain valve and this install would drain the pan so I haven't gone past 30,000 miles on the same oil. Apparently, I could go 40,000 miles with my truck and setup.

Yes, they test the acid level.
Yes, every 10,000 miles I change the full flow filter. This will replace 2 quarts of oil and during that 10,000 miles I will have added between 1 and 1.5 quarts.

For me, the 30,000 mile interval is a nice economic, environmental, and just plain lazy win.

John

[Fishoil]

John, Would you be able to e-mail or fax me your analysis print-outs? I'd be very interested in seeing them. Thanks, Steve.

[Jim Carroll]

I run a Ford PSD also with Mobil Delvac 1 synthetic oil ($80 oil change)and if you are thinking about doing extended drains then you need to have your oil analyzed. The service I use is Blackstone Laboratories (219)744-2380. The cost is around $20 and they do a very thorough job. They test for over 20 elements and physical properties in your oil. For example, if your air filter has been in too long or is not sealing properly your oil will show elevated levels of silicone. Or if you have a bearing going down they will find high lead levels. I view it as cheap insurance and if I was looking at an expensive used vehicle or other equipment I'd have the oil analyzed if hadn't already been changed.