Oil Quality and Change Frequency
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Sterling, VA
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oil Quality and Change Frequency
I've been doing some experimentation with oil change frequency over the last 7 months (since the last rebuild), and I'm finding that the oil has degraded significantly by around 1000 miles. This last time, I ran it to about 1250 miles, and the engine was running pretty rough under all conditions. Even at full boost, I could definitely feel the power loss and a lack of consistency in thrust.
I'm running non-synth Castrol GTX 10W30. My car has one factory oil cooler and a Mocal 25-row, so its total capacity is significantly increased with all the plumbing - on a change I'm only able to drain about 4 quarts of it, so maybe it's a problem with dilution (significant quantity of old oil left after a change). I know others have complained of this in the past...
I really start to feel it "drop off" after around 700-800 miles, and it just goes steadily downhill from there. Does anybody else experience this regularly with their FD? Anybody tried anything to address this with any success? I'm just starting to get tired of changing the oil so often, but if I have to, so be it!
I'm running non-synth Castrol GTX 10W30. My car has one factory oil cooler and a Mocal 25-row, so its total capacity is significantly increased with all the plumbing - on a change I'm only able to drain about 4 quarts of it, so maybe it's a problem with dilution (significant quantity of old oil left after a change). I know others have complained of this in the past...
I really start to feel it "drop off" after around 700-800 miles, and it just goes steadily downhill from there. Does anybody else experience this regularly with their FD? Anybody tried anything to address this with any success? I'm just starting to get tired of changing the oil so often, but if I have to, so be it!
#3
What has specifically degraded about the oil? I have seen the viscosity fall off(from a SAE 40 to 30 after 1000 miles)and the cleanliness fall off(noticed in a microscopic viewing of an oil sample) but I have not seen the cars performance change and am not sure why it would. I change my oil every 1000 miles and when I add the new oil, I let it flush for 5 minutes and then dump that and add new oil again. Due to all the dead space in the rotors that isn't easily drained and the oil cooler, I find this necessary--and that does not get it clean--just new. One way to get the system clean is to clean it with a high efficiency filter on a bypass loop. Only after doing this for 30 minutes or so, with a flow rate of maybe 1 pt+/minute will the oil get to some reasonable cleanliness. It would be better to do this continually but I haven't gone to that extent yet. My initial oil samples showed a lot of metal, chrome or whatever(in viewing through a microscope), and the spectrometric came back with high lead--usually a bearing--after only 1000 miles. After I did a flush it came back very clean(very few particles)---no ppm levels from testing though.
#4
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
install a drain valve in line between the two coolers, helps get more of the dirty, fuel diluted oil out of the system every time you change it...very important
I suggest an oil service interval of 1500 miles with Mobil 1 15w-50, because of rapid viscosity loss
I believe synthetics offer superior performance in the extremely demanding conditions a turbocharged rotary is subjected to (with 10% fuel dilution occurring quite rapidly), but I don't think the high dollar synthetics such as Motul or Idemitsu are worth it for such short service intervals
I do run the Idemitsu pre-mix fuel lube, the OMP is a band aid from Mazda
I suggest an oil service interval of 1500 miles with Mobil 1 15w-50, because of rapid viscosity loss
I believe synthetics offer superior performance in the extremely demanding conditions a turbocharged rotary is subjected to (with 10% fuel dilution occurring quite rapidly), but I don't think the high dollar synthetics such as Motul or Idemitsu are worth it for such short service intervals
I do run the Idemitsu pre-mix fuel lube, the OMP is a band aid from Mazda
#5
In the burnout box...
iTrader: (32)
yes!!! 1500 miles maximum... everyone has their specific oil they like to use. i like 10w40. synthetics would be good if they did not cake up on the rotars yet some argue that its very minute and that it was only a problem with early syn. oils. not sure of the new info on this. best thing to do would be rig the engine to use synthetic oil and inject from its own tank a mineral base oil into the housings. with my new motor i will be doing a premix of 2 stroke oil. theres a good chart to mixing ratios but a good rule is 1oz per gallon its simple to do and is effective. good luck!
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Lexington, IL
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some of this sounds a little extreme, but I can say with some background experience, that there may be an advantage to running 10W-40. Here's what I found:
My 1983 1st gen ran 10W-40 Penzoil from the day I bought it. It was retired with the original engine that was still running perfectly after 120,000 plus miles. I did a lot of autocrossing and other crazy stuff with it and beat on it frequently. Oil changes were every 5,000 miles
My 1991 2cond gen went through 2 engines with an average of 85,000 miles per engine. I used 10W-30 as was specified in the manual. Oil changes on the first engine were 5,000 miles. About 4,000 miles on the second engine. Oil change frequency didn't seem to matter in the life of the engine.
My1994 3rd gen has been run primarily on Castrol 10W-30. It now has 59,000 miles and is running quite well. Oil changes have been every 2-3,000 miles, but I was always a little bothered by the engine's rough running sound (it sounded like a farm tractor) compared to my 2gen and 3gen. So, about 3,000 miles ago I changed to Castol GTX 10W-40 Start-up (one of the new oils they are marketing) as an experiment. The engine runs a lot smoother, particularly at idle, almost like a new 12A.
I don't see any difference in power, but the engine seems to climb the RPM scale a lot more quietly.
mods:
Custom cold ram air intake
K&N filter
Downpipe
High perfromance light weight clutch
My 1983 1st gen ran 10W-40 Penzoil from the day I bought it. It was retired with the original engine that was still running perfectly after 120,000 plus miles. I did a lot of autocrossing and other crazy stuff with it and beat on it frequently. Oil changes were every 5,000 miles
My 1991 2cond gen went through 2 engines with an average of 85,000 miles per engine. I used 10W-30 as was specified in the manual. Oil changes on the first engine were 5,000 miles. About 4,000 miles on the second engine. Oil change frequency didn't seem to matter in the life of the engine.
My1994 3rd gen has been run primarily on Castrol 10W-30. It now has 59,000 miles and is running quite well. Oil changes have been every 2-3,000 miles, but I was always a little bothered by the engine's rough running sound (it sounded like a farm tractor) compared to my 2gen and 3gen. So, about 3,000 miles ago I changed to Castol GTX 10W-40 Start-up (one of the new oils they are marketing) as an experiment. The engine runs a lot smoother, particularly at idle, almost like a new 12A.
I don't see any difference in power, but the engine seems to climb the RPM scale a lot more quietly.
mods:
Custom cold ram air intake
K&N filter
Downpipe
High perfromance light weight clutch
#7
I have not heard any reasons why engine performance would suffer with oil breakdown, other than extreme oil failure and the consequence. And 30 wt vs 40 wt, I don't know why that would help idle smoothness. But with fuel dilution what it is, 40 or 50 weight seems the way to go if you can get it as a 10 or 15-*. 30 wt thins out too easily.
If I can get digital pictures of the metal particles in the oil I will post them, they are an eye opener--especially after such a short period after changing oil. Of course thin oil(read hot and fuel diluted) is a major accelerator to the generation of wear metal particles.
If I can get digital pictures of the metal particles in the oil I will post them, they are an eye opener--especially after such a short period after changing oil. Of course thin oil(read hot and fuel diluted) is a major accelerator to the generation of wear metal particles.
Trending Topics
#8
reliable performance
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Again, everyone's getting **** about their oil and most engines are dying from coolant seal leaks. How many rotary engines fail, or even degrade significantly, from some oil malady?
I submit that people who claim to be able to tell whether their oil has 500 miles on it or 1,500 miles on it are suffering psychosomatic symptoms. A classic case of the placebo effect.
Change your oil by every 3,000 miles with a good quality oil and worry about more important things. Your coolant and brake fluid is probably in need of a change.
I submit that people who claim to be able to tell whether their oil has 500 miles on it or 1,500 miles on it are suffering psychosomatic symptoms. A classic case of the placebo effect.
Change your oil by every 3,000 miles with a good quality oil and worry about more important things. Your coolant and brake fluid is probably in need of a change.
#9
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JConn2299
I submit that people who claim to be able to tell whether their oil has 500 miles on it or 1,500 miles on it are suffering psychosomatic symptoms. A classic case of the placebo effect.
#10
You win the bet, it's been proven that the oil gets less viscous and it happens with fuel dilution. I've done the test myself and I wasn't experiencing any psychosomatic systems at the time.
Also aren't there enough areas of concern with this car that oil problems(read metal particles in the oil and lower viscosity) can be responsible for plenty of problems?
Like,
Turbo seal and bearing failure
Oil seal ring failure, both this and the above are a possible cause for the puff of smoke on start up. Something wore out--and replacing the turbo is expensive and the smoke is annoying---and avoidable?.
eventual Shaft failure and main bearing failure(lead has own up in my oil), maybe this doesn't happen as a catastrophic failure early on before other items have killed the engine for the first time, but wear on these components is eventually going to cost someone when they finally need replacement.
Oil pump, maybe robust enough to survive
Or, what is the chance that metal in the oil, injected into the engine for lube, aids in the wear of the apex seal, and anything else in the combustion chamber
Just food for thought.
What else is lubricated in this engine with oil that can wear?
Also aren't there enough areas of concern with this car that oil problems(read metal particles in the oil and lower viscosity) can be responsible for plenty of problems?
Like,
Turbo seal and bearing failure
Oil seal ring failure, both this and the above are a possible cause for the puff of smoke on start up. Something wore out--and replacing the turbo is expensive and the smoke is annoying---and avoidable?.
eventual Shaft failure and main bearing failure(lead has own up in my oil), maybe this doesn't happen as a catastrophic failure early on before other items have killed the engine for the first time, but wear on these components is eventually going to cost someone when they finally need replacement.
Oil pump, maybe robust enough to survive
Or, what is the chance that metal in the oil, injected into the engine for lube, aids in the wear of the apex seal, and anything else in the combustion chamber
Just food for thought.
What else is lubricated in this engine with oil that can wear?
#11
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jconn still believes his "pristine" bone stock '95 FD will be reliable if he just doesn't touch it (except for standard maintenance)
but he's in for a rude awkening...these cars are a ticking time bomb, especially stock
but he's in for a rude awkening...these cars are a ticking time bomb, especially stock
#12
Lives on the Forum
Originally Posted by Improved FD
these cars are a ticking time bomb, especially stock
Originally Posted by JConn229
Again, everyone's getting **** about their oil and most engines are dying from coolant seal leaks. How many rotary engines fail, or even degrade significantly, from some oil malady?
I submit that people who claim to be able to tell whether their oil has 500 miles on it or 1,500 miles on it are suffering psychosomatic symptoms. A classic case of the placebo effect.
Change your oil by every 3,000 miles with a good quality oil and worry about more important things. Your coolant and brake fluid is probably in need of a change.
I submit that people who claim to be able to tell whether their oil has 500 miles on it or 1,500 miles on it are suffering psychosomatic symptoms. A classic case of the placebo effect.
Change your oil by every 3,000 miles with a good quality oil and worry about more important things. Your coolant and brake fluid is probably in need of a change.
#13
2/4 wheel cornering fiend
Originally Posted by DamonB
Bologna.
Originally Posted by jconn229
Your coolant and brake fluid is probably in need of a change.
#15
reliable performance
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Improved FD
I'd wager there would be a difference in viscosity and % fuel dilution....wanna bet?
That you could feel in a blind test? $200 says you couldn't. And the bigger question remains........where are the engine failures due to oil? Not many, if any.
Much more likely to be a coolant seal failure. Yet people get so **** about their oil. There's not nearly as much attention to coolant changes.
#16
reliable performance
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Improved FD
but he's in for a rude awkening...these cars are a ticking time bomb, especially stock
LOL! 11 years and the bomb still hasn't gone off. I'm getting tired of waiting.
#17
Well, my 94 has 78k and the original engine. I change my oil either when it starts to go over the full mark from dilution, or when I can't remember the last time I changed it. This is about every 3 months or 1500 miles or so(who knows), but I never have felt a power change from simply changing the oil. Maybe its becuase I change it frequently, or maybe you think a Redline sticker and a oil change increase horsepower. I know all the civic guys from my work do.
#20
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JConn2299
That you could feel in a blind test?
$200 says you couldn't
And the bigger question remains........where are the engine failures due to oil? Not many, if any.
Much more likely to be a coolant seal failure. Yet people get so **** about their oil. There's not nearly as much attention to coolant changes.
#21
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by DamonB
Bologna.
radiator with plastic end tanks
tiny IC with cheap rubber hoses
kmart engine wiring harness
fire inducing FPD
plastic AST
engine killing pre-cat
stubbornly inflexible ECU
cheap plastic BOV
retarded fuel filter location
junk motor mounts
spongy differential mount bushings
warping brake discs
hoplessly complex and poorly engineered sequential turbo control system
maze of cheap rubber vacuum lines
crackerjack stock turbos
coolant seals
and there are many others, this is what immediately comes to mind
the stock parts on these cars are, for the most part, junk....I'm trying to think of a non-static part I haven't replaced or upgraded, usually out of necessity
There ARE some sensible people still walking the earth
#23
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
Originally Posted by Improved FD
stubbornly inflexible ECU
the stock parts on these cars are, for the most part, junk....I'm trying to think of a non-static part I haven't replaced or upgraded, usually out of necessity
Dave
#24
Lives on the Forum
Originally Posted by Improved FD
radiator with plastic end tanks
Originally Posted by Improved FD
tiny IC with cheap rubber hoses
Originally Posted by Improved FD
kmart engine wiring harness
Originally Posted by Improved FD
fire inducing FPD
Originally Posted by Improved FD
plastic AST
Originally Posted by Improved FD
engine killing pre-cat
Originally Posted by Improved FD
stubbornly inflexible ECU
Originally Posted by Improved FD
cheap plastic BOV
Originally Posted by Improved FD
retarded fuel filter location
Originally Posted by Improved FD
junk motor mounts
Originally Posted by Improved FD
spongy differential mount bushings
Originally Posted by Improved FD
warping brake discs
Originally Posted by Improved FD
hoplessly complex and poorly engineered sequential turbo control system
Originally Posted by Improved FD
maze of cheap rubber vacuum lines
Originally Posted by Improved FD
crackerjack stock turbos
Originally Posted by Improved FD
coolant seals
Originally Posted by Improved FD
the stock parts on these cars are, for the most part, junk
Oh wait. I have replaced a starter solenoid and the battery in the past month. what a POS!
#25
reliable performance
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by dgeesaman
Oh, the IRONY!!!!! LOL Pot calling the kettle black...
Well lets see - who put a gun to your head and made you buy this car? It's not in the Bible, I hope you realize.
Dave
Well lets see - who put a gun to your head and made you buy this car? It's not in the Bible, I hope you realize.
Dave
LOL! So true, so true. ImprovedFD illustrates the point that if a person is fanatical about one thing, they also tend to be fanatical about other things too. It's some kind of personality quirk. So, like his worldview, he also has an apocalyptic vision of the FD. He's always predicting doom and waiting for it to blow up.
And those cars that have gone over 100,000 miles, and a few even over 200,000 on their original engines? Those must be the AntiChrist cars. "It's the work of the devil, I tell ya!" LOL. It's a hoot watching this mentality at work.