Notices
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS

OILS, 10W40 or 10W30?

Old Nov 23, 2008 | 09:42 PM
  #61  
EvaMonky's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Granite Falls
Originally Posted by 86tuning
No, I'm wondering what you think I should do with my pickup. The chains aren't all that old either, probably 25,000 miles or so since they were done. Do you suppose thinner oil + timing chain rattle is better, or slightly slower lube on startup? Main/rod bearing wear or chain-guide wear? Which is more likely to leave me stranded with engine failure?

As for oils on modern machinery I do run much lower viscosity stuff all the time. Wouldn't dream of running anything thicker than 5w30 on anything made this millenium--unless there is an oil consumption issue, in which case the engine's days are numbered anyways.

All of our other cars are more modern than my old red truck and run 5w30 synthetic. The truck, as stated, is happier on 15w40.
Well, there's the interesting thing. Does the rattle actually mean it's not getting lubed enough? With the Main/Rod Bearings running 15w40 it's a fact they are not getting enough lube at start up and you have a lot metal/metal contact. It gets worse at high RPMS, till the Oil warms up.

To be honest I don't even know if the rattle is what you describe it is. It's possible it could be something else.

I personally don't think you can look at it as which one is going to leave you stranded. Your starter could die and leave you stranded, but that has nothing to do with your oil.

I would be more worried about lubricating my engine and making sure it's not going to need to get replaced prematurely. That's a lot of work and money.

So, I'm not going to stop you from running 15w40 in your truck. But I wouldn't be running a diesel mix. If I'm wrong no harm done. If I'm right, you're going to be replacing your engine a lot sooner.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2008 | 10:00 PM
  #62  
Matt16's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by 86tuning
Yeah, that stupid guy also drained all of the oil in his $$$$$$ car, including the oil coolers and hoses.

IIRC he stated in writing that "it rattled like crazy on startup for xxx seconds"

Which is really good for the engine bearings and stuff.

If he wanted to do it properly, he would have simply changed the oil 2x in a row to get rid of most of the old stuff using the partial-rinse methods. Instead he put up with a 'cacophony' of engine wear due to dry start.

So, he may be partially correct, from a theoretical standpoint, but I wouldn't let him touch my car.

My 84 22R has a timing chain rattle on startup if I use 5w30. I live in Vancouver BC with somewhat mild climate (30-70F). When I run 15w40 (shell diesel) oil, the timing chain rattle on startup is not there at all.

So what oil do you think I should run on my 22R pickup?

On modern machinery you can run very thin oils and not have any issues. We run 5w30 synthetics on our 2000+ Toyotas with zero issues. I'd run thinner oils, but they cost more so I don't bother, except with the hybrid engines, which run great on 0w20 synthetics.
Same city here, same weight oil.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 06:32 AM
  #63  
Swansen's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Originally Posted by abecedarian
20 years ago... any 20 weight oil was just as viscuous as any other 20 weight oil... so is 20 weight different now than it was then?
it's a measure of viscosity, and has not changed at all.

so... what is the issue then? umm... detergents... maybe?

guess I should build an engine that runs on 60 octane fuel, and then tell everyone that 60 octane is all you need because I have an engine that requires it, right?

no.

you're comparing a ferrari engine and it's oil requirements to a mass-produced engine (22r/22re/22rte/3vze/5vze/etc) ... and the ferrari has, arguably, tighter tolerances than your toyota, and you are taking the word of someone who is a 'physician/doctor' as gospel for the oil requirements of your engine?
no, your not reading, and it was already said, he isn't comparing a ferrari engine, he is speaking generally about an internal combustion engine, and even then, ITS AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, they haven't really changed since they were invented, and a ferrari engine isn't much different than a toyota than is a GM, its all built on the same principle. That article was the coolest thing i have read in awhile, and is very logical to me, it makes sense.

Originally Posted by ozziesironmanoffroad
i do have a question regarding the ferrarri engine and oil, since it was brought up. everyone knows ferarris are super cars, and you're supposed to drive em hard. a friends dad has one, and when he first got it he drove it like a grandma, (speed limits etc) and it broke down all the time. did that for maybe 3 years. then the ferrarri mechanic finally told him to drive the hell out of it. so he did. he doesnt obey the speed limits, he floors it at every stop light, etc, and it has NEVER had a problem since. since their designed to be run hard, driving them easy screws them up. does the oil have anything to do with that?
That would be a Ferrari, and that same issue can be said for many super cars. However, they are not all like that, many Porsches you'll have no problems with driving every day, (and you can see out of them) as well as many British super car makers. It seems a lot of Italian super car manufactures build their cars without any real intent of people actually driving them.

Last edited by Swansen; Nov 24, 2008 at 06:35 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 09:20 AM
  #64  
sh0kk86's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 680
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Arizona
so is running 10-40 on a 185k 22r thats only had 10-40 / 10-130 in it all its life bad and i should switch to a thinner oil??
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 10:45 AM
  #65  
PDX_1ton's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Eugene Oregon
Originally Posted by Matt16
It seems like the more you read about oils, the less you know.

I am running 15W40, we see temperatures from -5 to 30*C (convert it yourself).
approx 25 - 93*F
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 01:28 PM
  #66  
87LVRunner's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
My 08 Yukon and 07 Lexus are both on synthetic. I change the oil myself, I like to see what's in the drain.

The 69 Jeep and 87 Toy both got synthetic and both either leaked it, or drank it. I moved back to 20/50 in the Jeep with additives and 10/40 in the Toy. The Jeep is babied like no other as it only has 48,000 original miles. The Toyota just passed 242,000. I replace the oil every 3,000-3,500 miles not because I HAVE to but because I feel better about that oil looking sparkley clear. I may be wrong, but my ignorance has netted me 460,000 out of my first Toyota (it was stolen, bastards!) and 242,000 out of this one.

Also, from what I understand, almost all oils are about the same these days. They all have to meet the same standards. I don't know about detergents and I don't feel this applies to synthetic oils. I use Castrol or Quaker State for the oldies and Mobil1 for now in the newbies.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 03:11 PM
  #67  
EvaMonky's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Granite Falls
Originally Posted by sh0kk86
so is running 10-40 on a 185k 22r thats only had 10-40 / 10-130 in it all its life bad and i should switch to a thinner oil??
It's not bad per-say. It's just that with a 10w30 or 10w40 you are not getting enough lubrication at startup. It's a simple fact. The guy who wrote the article points out numerous times that there is no oil on the market thin enough when cold, to provide adquete lubrication at startup.

To be honest, the damage has already been done. Switching to a 5w30 or 0w20 won't make much of a difference now. The funny thing about 5w30 vs. 10w30 vs. 10w40 is that the 10w40 is thicker at startup and therefore the worst on your engine. While the 10w30 and the 5w30 are the same thickness at startup only the 5w30 thins out slightly more when heated up. But still provides the same lubrication properties.

Originally Posted by 87LVRunner
My 08 Yukon and 07 Lexus are both on synthetic. I change the oil myself, I like to see what's in the drain.

The 69 Jeep and 87 Toy both got synthetic and both either leaked it, or drank it. I moved back to 20/50 in the Jeep with additives and 10/40 in the Toy. The Jeep is babied like no other as it only has 48,000 original miles. The Toyota just passed 242,000. I replace the oil every 3,000-3,500 miles not because I HAVE to but because I feel better about that oil looking sparkley clear. I may be wrong, but my ignorance has netted me 460,000 out of my first Toyota (it was stolen, bastards!) and 242,000 out of this one.

Also, from what I understand, almost all oils are about the same these days. They all have to meet the same standards. I don't know about detergents and I don't feel this applies to synthetic oils. I use Castrol or Quaker State for the oldies and Mobil1 for now in the newbies.

That makes sense, because Synthetic has much smaller and more consistant oil molecules than conventional. It's also bad to switch from Synthetic back to regular, because your seals swell and the Conventional can't replace the seals as well.

You are correct as far as requirements for Detergents, etc. They all meet the federal minmum guidelines. More expensive oil tends to have more/better addtives that work better/last longer.

What doesn't apply to Synthetic oils?

Oh, and on a parting note. The reason why you got so many miles out of your trucks is because you do take care of them and change the oil regularly! That's the biggest key, beceause as those addtitives break down, they lubricate less well, foam more, etc. Regular oil changes are a must! The author is simply pointing out common misconceptions. It's more of a guide than an end all/be all situation. I'm tell ya you gotta read it .
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 03:57 PM
  #68  
abecedarian's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 6
From: Temecula Valley, CA
lemme just add some fuel for the fire-
if the engine has a proper anti-drainback system (engineered for the sole purpose of reducing oil starvation ... the thing the ferrari-dude was advocating thin oil for), there is oil in place in the important oil galley(s) and ready to circulate as soon as the engine makes enough pressure... sorry flow to displace it thus expediting the delivery of oil to the bearings, etc. and negating the absolute 'thinnest' oil be used.

like I mentioned before, the guy in the article used a Ferarri engine to demonstrate his 'theory'.... and I'm not going to address the particular replies to my post(s) (yet?)... save to say that a Ferrari engine is not a mass-produced, mechanically assembled engine as most commuter vehicles are, and has very specific and tight tolerances with regards to bearing clearances, etc. To say that based on his experience with a Ferrari engine, all engines have the same requirements is neither correct nor responsible. Just because it's good enough for a Ferrari does not mean it's good enough for every other engine out there, based on observations I have noted (bearing tolerance, anti-drainback, etc.).
(...any one else find it odd that a doctor of medicine would undertake a study of oil and mechanical engineering...?)

and I will go further to say that I have had several vehicles with hydraulic tappets (one in particular was owned since new- 6 miles on the odo) and that with <= 5w(whatever) @ 75F ambient, all had lifter clatter wheras using even a 10w(X) oil, the lifter clatter was non-extant in spite of being the farthest away from the oil pump. So tell me how it is an absolute fact that the thinner oil that is supposed to circulate faster is better and has reduced wear on those engines.
...can you?
and don't use the 'wear has already occured' response since as noted, one vehicle was owned with only 6 miles on the clock, and would clatter with 5w oil.

Last edited by abecedarian; Nov 24, 2008 at 04:00 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 04:21 PM
  #69  
abecedarian's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 6
From: Temecula Valley, CA
Originally Posted by EvaMonky
It's not bad per-say. It's just that with a 10w30 or 10w40 you are not getting enough lubrication at startup. It's a simple fact. The guy who wrote the article points out numerous times that there is no oil on the market thin enough when cold, to provide adquete lubrication at startup.

To be honest, the damage has already been done. Switching to a 5w30 or 0w20 won't make much of a difference now. The funny thing about 5w30 vs. 10w30 vs. 10w40 is that the 10w40 is thicker at startup and therefore the worst on your engine. While the 10w30 and the 5w30 are the same thickness at startup only the 5w30 thins out slightly more when heated up. But still provides the same lubrication properties.
wrong. The first number indicates the viscosity of the oil at a cold temperature, while the second number indicates the viscosity at operating temperature.
A 10w30 and 10w40 posess the same viscosity when at the same cold temperature... ...the 10w40 is thicker than the 10w30 at higher but similar temps.
The 5w30 is thinner at startup than the 10w30. The 5w30 and 10w30 are the same viscosity when at operating temperature.
That makes sense, because Synthetic has much smaller and more consistant oil molecules than conventional. It's also bad to switch from Synthetic back to regular, because your seals swell and the Conventional can't replace the seals as well.
Considering most synth oils do not permeate 'rubber seals' as readily as the complex traditional oils, that is not correct. Actually, the reverse is true- traditional oil will cause the seals to swell whereas synthetic oil will not.
You are correct as far as requirements for Detergents, etc. They all meet the federal minmum guidelines. More expensive oil tends to have more/better addtives that work better/last longer.
yet again, not true. Motor oil has a specific API rating assigned to it based on tests performed in a laboratory. Just because it is more expensive bears no relevence to its efficacy as a motor oil. The API Service Rating is not a Federal guideline. It's an industry-wide specification / agreement meant to help 'engines' comply with Federally mandated emissions and durability requirements. It is in no way "Federal", by requirement or by guideline.
What doesn't apply to Synthetic oils?

Oh, and on a parting note. The reason why you got so many miles out of your trucks is because you do take care of them and change the oil regularly! That's the biggest key, beceause as those addtitives break down, they lubricate less well, foam more, etc. Regular oil changes are a must! The author is simply pointing out common misconceptions. It's more of a guide than an end all/be all situation. I'm tell ya you gotta read it .
hmm... so tell me why I got 360K miles out of a 1.7L VW A2 Scirocco using 20w50 oil from the time it had 76K on the odo and changed it every 7,000-10,000 miles?

Last edited by abecedarian; Nov 24, 2008 at 04:23 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 06:36 PM
  #70  
86tuning's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 738
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver, BC
Originally Posted by EvaMonky
To be honest I don't even know if the rattle is what you describe it is. It's possible it could be something else.
Possible, but not likely.

I've had a bunch of Toyota technicians look at it. Ones that are intimately familiar with this engine.

Their suggestion was to run whatever oil keeps the chain from rattling at startup.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 06:40 PM
  #71  
abecedarian's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 6
From: Temecula Valley, CA
Originally Posted by 86tuning
Possible, but not likely.

I've had a bunch of Toyota technicians look at it. Ones that are intimately familiar with this engine.

Their suggestion was to run whatever oil keeps the chain from rattling at startup.
the implication is that thin oil bypasses the chain tensioner until such a point is reached that the combined restrictions from up-stream factors cause the pressure at the tensioner to become sufficient to apply force to the tensioner which will cause the tensioner to extend and consequently take up the 'slack' in the chain.
have to remember that the chain tensioner is the FIRST place oil from the pump can travel.

sorry, but yet another argument against using the 'thinnest' oil.

Last edited by abecedarian; Nov 24, 2008 at 06:43 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 06:45 PM
  #72  
abecedarian's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 6
From: Temecula Valley, CA
Originally Posted by abecedarian
>snip<
sorry, but yet another argument against using the 'thinnest' oil.
and another place the "Ferrari MD" is not correct.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 06:47 PM
  #73  
abecedarian's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 6
From: Temecula Valley, CA
The Ferrari MD is arguing about an engine, and deriving oil requirements from an engine that has zero 'hydraulic' parts- everything is mechanically adjusted, so apparently pressure, as opposed to flow, is not a concern.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 07:33 PM
  #74  
EvaMonky's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Granite Falls
Originally Posted by abecedarian
wrong. The first number indicates the viscosity of the oil at a cold temperature, while the second number indicates the viscosity at operating temperature.
A 10w30 and 10w40 posess the same viscosity when at the same cold temperature... ...the 10w40 is thicker than the 10w30 at higher but similar temps.
The 5w30 is thinner at startup than the 10w30. The 5w30 and 10w30 are the same viscosity when at operating temperature.
"The greatest confusion is because of the way motor oils are labeled. It is an old system and is confusing to many people. I know the person is confused when they say that a 0W-30 oil is too thin for their engine because the old manual says to use 10W-30. This is wrong.

More confusion occurs because people think in terms of the oil thinning when it gets hot. They think this thinning with heat is the problem with motor oil. It would be more correct to think that oil thickens when it cools to room temperature and THIS is the problem. In fact this is the problem. It is said that 90 percent of engine wear occurs at startup. If we are interested in engine longevity then we should concentrate our attention at reducing engine wear at startup."

"One thing that is no longer important is the ambient temperature. Older automotive owner manuals often recommended one oil for the summer and another for the winter. This is still necessary for air cooled engines but is no longer a consideration in pressurized water cooled engines. These engine blocks are kept at around 212 F all year round. The oil is around the same temperature as well. This allows for a single weight oil all year round. Again, this is not the same as on the track where the coolant temperature is slightly higher and the oil temperature is much higher.

Please forget those numbers on the oil can. They really should be letters as AW-M, BW-N or CW-P. The fact that we are dealing with a system of numbers on the can makes people think that they represent the viscosity of the oil inside the can. The problem is that the viscosity of oil varies with its temperature. A “30” weight oil has a viscosity of 3 at 302 F ( 150 C ) and thickens to 10 at 212 F ( 100 C ). It further thickens to a viscosity of 100 at 104 F ( 40 C ) and is too thick to measure at the freezing point of 32 F ( 0 C ).



30 weight oil:

Temperature ( F )....Thickness

302...........................3
212..........................10
104..........................100
32..........................250 (rough estimate)"

I'm at work, so I only have 8 more minutes so I can't respond to everything you said. But I'll be back to debate the rest of your points. I just wanted to share that real quick, and see if you had any proof to back up the claim that an oil starts out thin and thickens as temps go up.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 07:59 PM
  #75  
abecedarian's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 6
From: Temecula Valley, CA
nothing I said was confusing.

API ratings state and agree with what I've claimed.
the first number in the 'oil' weight' is the viscosity when cold (approximately 23F/0C) and the second is the viscosity when warm (approximately 212F/100C).
I've made a statement, prove me wrong... I am innocent until proven guilty, no?...
... and please do not exclude multi-weight oils in your faux-dissertation.
You've already attempted to do so with your chart
Temperature ( F )....Thickness

302...........................3
212..........................10
104..........................100
32..........................250 (rough estimate)"
... too many times.

Last edited by abecedarian; Nov 24, 2008 at 08:03 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 08:06 PM
  #76  
abecedarian's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 6
From: Temecula Valley, CA
the (faux) fact is:
a 10w has a certain 'viscosity' at 0C/32F...
a 10 has that same viscosity at 100C/212F
so a 10w flows as well at freezing as a 10 flows at boiling. right?
so I guess we should all be using 10w10 oil, no?... since the Ferrari dude says every engine only needs a 10

puhleeeze.

yeah, it sounds crazy when you read it, doesn't it?

Last edited by abecedarian; Nov 24, 2008 at 08:07 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 08:53 PM
  #77  
Squeebs's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 593
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield
Basically, Hush up and run amsoil.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 08:57 PM
  #78  
abecedarian's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 6
From: Temecula Valley, CA
what weight amsoil?
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 09:02 PM
  #79  
Squeebs's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 593
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield
Originally Posted by abecedarian
what weight amsoil?



I may try their signature series 0-30, but more likely just the 10-30. I run mobil1 15-50 right now because all i could find other than that was 5-20 in their extended performance.




I just like the fact that they actually post test results and name names, even if they didn't do the best in that particular category.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2008 | 09:04 PM
  #80  
abecedarian's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,723
Likes: 6
From: Temecula Valley, CA
use what works. can't fault you for that.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:54 PM.