Grog said:
Grouper Duper said:
He tried to convince me that my car engine would run smoother and at lower temperature with their stuff in the crankcase. Ummm, I don't think the crankcase contributes much to "smoothness" in a modern car engine, and I'm pretty sure the temperature is regulated by the thermostat...
Stuff like that makes me to never want to try Amsol. They're so full of it! Run smoother, well if your oil rings are that shot or the valve seals that you're getting enough oil in the combustion, the motor is SHOT. And how is it going to run cooler? Let's just say that there will be a measurable friction loss, is the heat load that great the radiator and thermostat are over-loaded? Again if you're that borderline there are other issues that changing your oil isn't going to solve. I always use Mobil 1, never had an issue of crud build-up and both my vehicles (not the toy) have over 100K miles and don't burn oil. If they were to say it performs as well as or maybe better than Mobil 1 but costs less I'd think about it but if they have to feed a line of BS to persuade you run away.
I've used the cheapo West Marine oil but the Yamalube is $25 when you refill so why bother with the West Marine oil.
Reminds me of the guy that doesn't like religion because he doesn't like the people at his church. Or they don't believe in God because the church is corrupt.
Just because there's an idiot Amsoil dealer (not Amsol) doesn't mean the product isn't good. If you like Mobil1 you'll love what Amsoil products do. One of the greatest advantages of their product line is that they have a lubricant for virtually every application. Mobile 1 has a very narrow product line. What they do have works well.
Here's a link to the product description of ATM, their 10-30 weight, full synthetic, just in case you're interested in what they say about their standard motoroil:
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atm.aspx
Amsoil is an outstanding product. I will say again, I have yet to hear of anyone that tried their products that didn't like them. There is nothing wrong with Mobil 1, however Amsoil is just a cut above.
All of the modern oils have reduced their zinc compounds in an effort to meet epa regs. Zinc is the main ingredient that reduces wear. I'm no metallurgist so I can't explain exactly why. However there are some issues with backward compatibility with engines that depend heavily on that compound, so we're finding some premature bearing surface wear and failures out there. The guys in the porsche forums have a lot different opinion about full synthetic oils and what gives longest life in their engines. A new motor for a boxster or 911 exceeds twenty grand. A lot of owners run them very hard, many of them attending track days and rallys, more of a racing application.
Automatic transmissions will definitely run cooler with synthetic ATF. Easy to find testimony on that. Amsoil is hands-down one of the very best ATF's on the market. It is more thermally stable, has a better additive package, and will lengthen drain intervals and extend the life of the unit.
What a lot of guys don't like is that Amsoil started out with a multi-level marketing sales structure thru a dealer network as that was the best way to bring the product to market at that time (early '70's). When your sales prospect needs to have more information to understand the product benefits than a retail sales environment offers, MLM is a good way go. Today they just keep with it for many of the same reasons, and because their dealer network got them where they are today so they protect them. They will not sell to a retail chain with more than 12 locations, so you will never see it at Walmart, Pep Boys, Kragen/Shucks, or whatever. You still have to buy the product thru their dealer network.
I just learned that Redline uses a different base stock than Amsoil. They are probably more in direct competition with them. A product more on parr with them. I can't give particulars here, but if you want to research you can learn more about their base stocks and why the product performs so well. Again, a narrow product range, but great motor oils.
Another great product in a mineral-based lubricant, especially for older style and aircooled engines, (like porsche) is Brad Penn Oils. It's a full group III base stock with an ample zddp package of zinc, (about 1200ppm) and is reportely on parr with the old Kendal GT1 if anyone is familiar with the reputation of that product. Here again though, a product that is difficult to source. I have never heard of it 'till this week.
Anyway, I digress. To say that a product is no good just because someone doesn't know what they are talking about, just doesn't make good sense, is not logical. A lot of people will swear their engines run quieter and smoother with premium lubricants. Motor oils are like beer - everyone has their favorite flavor. :wink: