Synthetic Oil

[tcm]

I heard from one bloke (interlube) that once a boat diesel has run in, say 300 hours, it is worth putting in synthetic oil. He (and the owner of one boat) reckoned he's got an extra 2-3 knots by changin to synthetic oil. Does anyone have experience or knowldge of this?

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[ccscott49]

Synthetic does reduce friction, but I doubt very much enough to release enough power to drive a boat at 2-3 knots faster, think about it, percentage wise! Seriously. A car maybe.

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[BarryH]

Used to run synthetics in tuned motors used in sport. Basically in a boat engine, specially one wiv gold coloured rocker covers, I don't think you'll notice too much difference. Apart from the cost of the stuff.

I thought suythetics were bourne out of the racing fraternity. To take higher pressures/temps etc. So being a low/normal tune diesel would the extra cost be worth the gains, if any. Spose one up side is that theres less sludging with synthetics.

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[Nauti Fox]

If you need more advice I can put you onto our oil supplier who is very knowledgable about ALL forms of lubrication!
Al.

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[duncan]

I switched from RimulaX to GTD Magnatec, which I believe is synthetic, after 200 hours, and am sensitive to the boats speed.
I noticed no difference - I still can't catch Happy1/forums/images/icons/smile.gif.
The reason for the switch was around the marketed benefits of Magnatec and the apparant apppropriateness for a marine engine subject to infrequent use. In practice I am probably wasting £30 a year over using RimulaX!
Not scientific but reasonably controlled testing/results re speed.

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[sailorman]

just a thought but i dont suppose that the engine "govener" would stop it revving any higher.
i use semi-synthetic from a local Factor @ £10 > £12 per 5Lts

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[Dave_Snelson]

I'm not convinced. The real issues with oil (as I've posted here before) are the ability to pump and lubricate at low starting temperatures, and the ability to protect for prolonged periods of inactivity, as well as protecting under load and speeds.

The real bottom line is (IMHO) buy a good quality marine multi-grade because it is likely to have a higher proportion of corrosion suppressants in it than car oil.

Then maybe get some "Slick 50" to add to the new oil to coat the internals of the moving parts with teflon, so that when you start up after a few weeks, the motor has slippery surfaces before the oil gets around (which takes 1 second with a good pump and good motor).

All that said, I'm as paranoid as the rest of you when it comes to motor protection, so I'll spend the money!

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[duncan]

ah you have spotted the flaw in my response - my engine revs to 3600 whatever, rain or shine, clean or dirty, heavy or light; synthetic or agricultural (marine?) oil.
Forgot - sry

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[JEG]

Slight sideways move; the V***o man at SBS advised that my 10 year old should use the initially recommended oil [CD?].

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[andrewbarker]

Well - it's not going to do any harm, is it? But it's not directly to do with synthetic vs non synth is it? Synths don't break down as quickly & retain characteristics better but what really counts is whether you can get enuf moving parts separation, heat removal & friction reduction with a thin oil. Then there's less physical work needed to shove it out of the way & pump it arouind. That's what counts. If it's an old fashioned diesel it's likely to be long stroke slow revs. Shearing forces around small/big ends & main bearings are huge. So need thick oil to cushion. Modern short stroke diesel = light shearing forces. So you can get away with thinner oil. (Also depends on quality of machining). Will it go faster? Answers are obvious really. If propped etc OK & reaching max recommended revs under load you won't want to rev any faster, so no. But at same revs mechanical work will be less, heat & noise may be less & economy may be better. If difficult to reach max revs under load or get on plane etc then changing may make a difference to speed.

I always use it if I'm sufficiently in the £££££££££s.

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[Bergman]

Re: A side issue

What is synthetic oil synthesised from?

I have heard of all sorts of stuff, rubber and fabrics and things being synthesised from oil but I guess thats sort of other way round.

Just curious really

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[ccscott49]

Re: A side issue

Believe it or not, petrochemicals?? Funny eh! But of course its not oil, just a synthisised liquid, with lubricity properties. All kinds of stuff in it. But still made from oil!

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[Bergman]

Re: A side issue

Thanks for that.

Bit disappointing really, I'd sort of hoped they synthesised it from the female guava flower or something exotic.

Can they make some with that wonderful smell of castor oil you used to get from racing bikes. Now that would be worthwhile.

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[ccscott49]

Re: A side issue

You can still get Castrol "R" look in the classic bike mags. I use half an egg cup full in a tank of fuel in my triumph, as upper cylinder lubricant, just like redex, my brother does the same with his thruxton velo, but with that wonderful smell!! Reminds me of my racing days!

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[Bergman]

Re: A side issue

Thats good to know. Fraid SWMBO won't let me ride a bike nowadays, I'm down to my last 2 now. Might try a drop in the lads Gamma and follow him down the road.

Or perhaps add some to the old Humber, a bit of UCL can't do any harm.

Thanks

Cheered up a dull Saturday

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[ccscott49]

Re: A side issue

An old hunber would love it, they were virtually designed to have UCL in the petrol, all cars of that era were. Thats why so many car companies reccomended redex! By the way, stuff SWMBO get back on yer bike, nothin`like it!



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[tcm]

Re: A side issue

Whta total swiz! Like bergman I think it should not include any oil at oil but be made from flowers and possibly silicon. Starting off with oil and making oil seems a bit of a doddle.

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[longjohnsilver]

Re: A side issue

So wot would you know about oil. Huh, anyone would think you're an expert. Suppose you'll be telling us next that you work on an oil rig when we all know you just swan about on a big boat in the Med!

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[ArthurWood]

See http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1997/07/slick.htm
re false claims for Slick 50 and federal lawsuit.

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[stamfordian]

Read al the guff.......bb put in wot the engine was desighined to run on.....moore pwrformance ......yes!!!! from where???the magical sloopy oil god??





xxxxxxvery hot enngine .....racing ,mech,if you won,t more permormace ,,,,,,chANGE IT ,THAT,S THE ENGINE!!!

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