Oil to synthetic or not

Message

ZooTech · #21 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:43 am

Flting Duck wrote:Unless your engine is specifically deisgned for synthetiv oils, it's a good idea to run it on dino oil for the first 20k or so. It allows the rings to seat properly.

If you believe it takes 20k miles for the rings to seat, it's no wonder there's so much misinformation floating around.

Lion_Lady · Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:56 am

Flting Duck wrote:Unless your engine is specifically deisgned for synthetiv oils, it's a good idea to run it on dino oil for the first 20k or so. It allows the rings to seat properly.

I personally am starting to think that this line is just a mantra put out there by dino producers in cohoots with bike manufacturers to keep everyone on their side.

It was probably a response 30 years ago to the then new, and in part, relatively untested technology of synthetic oils.

I'd say that synthetic oils are now proven to do the job well.

P

ArcticHarleyMan · Tue Oct 24, 2006 8:40 am

ZooTech wrote:
Flting Duck wrote:Unless your engine is specifically deisgned for synthetiv oils, it's a good idea to run it on dino oil for the first 20k or so. It allows the rings to seat properly.
If you believe it takes 20k miles for the rings to seat, it's no wonder there's so much misinformation floating around.

I agreeabout the ring-seating. It doesn't take that long for your engine to be broken in.

As for the VW warranty being voided, I would think you have a case for saying "Bunkus." I think if you read any manual, it usually says that you should use an oil that meets specific specifications, but then again, I haven't read the VW manuals.

MonkeyMaw · Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:06 pm

What about an older bike? Would it do any good to change over to synth? Assuming the engine is in good tune and not burning or leaking any oil, are there any pros or cons to switching to synthetic? Is there a particular brand of synthetic that would be better for an engine that's spent all of its life (26,000 miles ) running dino oil?

ArcticHarleyMan · Thu Oct 26, 2006 7:59 am

I doj't recommend switching to synth unless the engine is in good condition, ie. rings, pistons, bearings, seals are not leaking. If you have any leaks, the synth may just exaccerbate the leaks. If you want to try, there is no harm in trying, but if you have a lot of leaks or start burning oil or have any other problems, I would suggest it's not feasible to use synth.