Any experience with Amsoil?

[jarheadk5]

Does anyone out there have good/bad experience with Amsoil synthetic oil? I've read good things about it, but I'd like some opinions from other people before I change over. My dad just informed me today that he's now an Amsoil distributor, and he's using their products in all his vehicles and equipment. (He owns and runs a topsoil business) He's getting 1-3 MPG better than with conv. oil, and, using their filters, he's getting 9000 miles between full oil changes. (Filter change every 3000 and replenish what is lost in the filter, full change at 9000.) I'm a little leery, though. He said it seems to pay for itself with the fuel savings and fewer full oil changes. He's got all the documentation about the filters' effectiveness and the oil's qualities. Plus, he's using it in about $500,000 worth of heavy equipment, so he must have a lot of faith in it. I think I'll use it too, but I just want some other opinions before I jump in with both feet. Thanks.

Semper Maintenance!

So many ideas, so little money...

 

[Oil Man]

I've been in the Lubrication business for over 21 years and am a specialist in the field. Yes the Amsoil oil is better than most petro oils out there. However there are some petro oils that are better than the Amsoil product. In testing with the ASTM D-2670 Falex wear tester the Amsoil oil came in 2nd. This is over about 30 of the most used and recognized oils on the market. Some synthetic and some petro most 15w-40 but a few SAE 30 and 10w30. All of them diesel rated oils. The one that came in first was LE or Lubrication Engineers. LE even did better than the Amsoil in the oxidation test, showing about 1/3 more oxidation stability on the ASTM TFOUT OXIDATION TEST.

If anyone is interested in the test results I can make them avalible.

Sincerely, Kevin

 

[CK5]

I just put LE gear oil in the project Blazer's axles when I installed the new Mag-Hytec covers on their recomendation, it's suposed to be high quality stuff. I noticed it is a lot thicker than Redline or Royal Purple, I will let you know how it wears the next time I do a gear oil change.

I will most likely try their motor oil as well.

Steve

 

[Burt4x4]

Can the LE brand be found at most auto part stores?
Or is it special order?
I run RedLine gear oil now and it seams to hold up well but I am not even close to an expert on this type of stuff so I would emaigine the LE brand cost more $$???


Rock ON!

72 K5

 

[SnakeEyes]

Love to see that data posted. Most of us don’t have access to this kind of stuff so if you can, I'd certainly appreciate it!
My experience with synthetic is limited. I know that breaking in an engine on synthetic is the biggest no-no that you can do but other than that I think the stuff works well and can give you serious HP at higher RPM.

 

[Oil Man]

Burt 4x4,
LE oil has never been in the retail market, they have always been in the market to the end user of factories, power plants, waste water treatment plants, trucking etc. Burt, sorry no LE is not in most auto parts stores but you can buy it from the Mag-Hytec company. I believe they advertize on this sight. They make rear end covers and trans pans that are top quality and wanted to recommend the top quality oil also so they recommend LE oils. I believe the LE oil is only about 1/2 the price of Redline. (price does not always mean quality)

SnakeEyes,
LE has tested between the two types of oils (synthetic and Petro) Some of them are, Castrol Syntec, Amsoil 15w40, Mobil-1, Premium Blue 2000 15w40, Shaffer Supreme 7000 15w40. All synthetic.)

Yes I can post some of the test data.

The test was the Falex Wear ASTM D-2670
And the TFOUT oxidation test ASTM D-4742

The Falex test is very accurate it can measure .0000556 of wear. The oils that passed the Falex wear test got a number the oils that failed just got a fail.

The TFOUT oxidation test is a very harsh test that simulates the environment in our engines. The higher number the longer your oil will go before it oxidizes.

OIL PASS/FAIL TEETH TFOUT
Amoco Premier Fail ------- 265
Cat Diesel Fail ------- 209
Chevron Delo 400 Fail ------- 342
Mobil Delvac 1300 Super Pass 18 258
Mystic JT-8 Fail ------- 148
Shaffer Supreme 7000 Fail ------- 253
Shell Rotella T Fail ------- 163
Premium Blue 2000 Fail ------- 291
Amoco 300 Fail ------- 209
Amsoil Pass 9 219
Case Fail ------- 190
Castrol RX Super Fail ------- 178
Citgo Ditgard 500 Fail ------- 222
Coastal Unilube Fleet Fail ------- 134
Mobil Delvac 1230 SAE 30 Fail ------- 107
Moper Fail ------- 121
Motorcraft Fail ------- 144
Mr. Goodwrench Pass 16 137
Pennzoil Long-life Pass 17 331
Shell Rimula Super HPDEO Pass 13 227
Shell Rimula-X HPDEO Fail ------- 86
Shell Rotella T SAE 30 Fail ------- 151
Tech 2000 Fail ------- 140
Total Rubia Diesel 4000 Fail ------- 130
Universal SHPD Pass 13 153
Premium Blue Pass 16 361
Castrol Syntec SAE 5w30 Pass 13 195
Castrol Super Fleet Pass 16 243
Mobil-1 Fail ------- 180
Lubrication Engineers 8800 Pass 5 323
Lubrication Engineers SAE 30 Pass 5 253


I hope these results help you in finding the right oil for your 4x4.

Sincerely, Kevin

 

[73Jimmy]

Based on those two tests, the Premium Blue looks pretty good.

 

[SnakeEyes]

Thanks OilMan!! It's early here but I'll take a look at this stuff and get back to you! Oil all looks the same until you start testing it and most of the companies DONT want the test results printed. They just want your cash. Rather have data to work from that run blind. As one of the boys on this site said "then it's just blind fun"

 

[SnakeEyes]

OilMan, there was a site posted in one of these threads not long ago that led to an oil data site that gave excellent data regarding a number of oils.
Did you see that site, if not I’ll send it to you after I get another cup of coffee
What is your professional opinion in general regarding the data presented?

 

[SnakeEyes]

Ok OilMan. Got my coffee and let the cats out and checked on the snakes!! It's a great life!!! If you don't weaken!!
This site was actually presented on a different Chevy site by one of the guys there. I think it was Swervin’ Ervin but don’t quote me! Credit where credit is due. I found the analysis fascinating. I use Valvoline 10W-40W in all my machinery but after viewing the data, I'm probably switching to Q-State Deluxe.
I'd like your professional opinion when you have an opportunity. The "breakdown under heat numbers" I think are especially apropos to this discussion.
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/oil-overview.html

 

[Burt4x4]

Cool stuff dude!!!!
Great doc!!!!!
It looks like this would be a good coice if I am reading it right:Pennzoil Long-life Pass 17 331
Again thanks for the info!!

Rock ON!

72 K5

 

[Oil Man]

SnakeEyes,
Although most of the information about oils in general is accurate some is scewed. Because of his association with Amsoil he is bias with synthetic or Amsoil. He seems to talk about them the most.

The oils that he uses for compairison are only SG, CD oils from Nov. 1996 and are out dated. The same oils if still produced today would not meet the API specs of today. The SG is an old spec, the newer specs are SH and SJ for gas and the CD spec he uses is old also. The new ones are CE, CD-II, CE, CF, CF-2, CF-4, CG-4, and CH-4. The quality of oils today are much better than the specs he uses. The explaination of quality oils is for the most part OK, but I would have to argue some of his points because the technology of today is better than what they new 4 years ago.

The oils that are used in my comparison are the newer oils, and give a better list of available oils today.

Sincerely, Kevin

 

[Burt4x4]

Hey OilMan, What kinda oil do you run in your K5?
Motor oil that is. I am in need of an oil change soon and sence you have allot of exposure in this feild it would be great to hear your personal preferance!!
Mabie in a first choice second choice senario?
Thanks again

Rock ON!

72 K5

 

[shaggyk5]

i didnt know there was an oil named shaffer supreme! someone tell me where i can get a quart! ( shaffer is my last name, spelled the same and all.) that would be kinda neat to have around to show people.

shaggyk5

aint nuthin in the world like a heavy chevy!!

 

[Oil Man]

Bert,
Sorry, I used to have a big truck and a 1948 chevy. I had to sell both of them in the divorce. I am truckless as of today, but I got a good price for my 1948. I have a friend with a nice K5 and I have recommended for him to use the 15-w40 #8800 Monolic Ultra engine oil. This will give you the best mileage and the least amount of wear of any oil that I know of on the market today. This even takes into consideration the synthetics also.

If you wish to go longer oil drains the LE oil is rated at up to 25,000 miles for gas engines, and 100,000 miles for diesel engines. If you go longer oil drains then you must do oil analysis after about 10,000 miles. If you don't want to do oil analysis then put on a new filter at about 5,000 and go 10,000 miles on the oil change. In my last gasser truck I went between 10,000 and 15,000 on an oil change and had the oil analysied. It was still good. I went 28,000 on one oil change with filter changes at 4,000 miles and the oil was still good. When I gave it to my ex-wife (man that's a 4 letter word) it had 234,000 miles on it and it only burned 1/4 a quart in 5,000 miles.

Sincerely, Kevin

 

[SnakeEyes]

OK OilMan. GREAT DATA!!! Cogent explanation! Have you got any recent data on Valvoline or Havoline or Q-State Deluxe???
Sorry about the divorce. The only thing I can say is, after I get mine, I'll at least get Half my payceck!!

 

[Oil Man]

SnakEyes,
I have no data that is current on the Havoline or Q-State Deluxe, Sorry. The Valvoline is listed above, It is the Premium Blue from Valvoline, Sorry I guess I should have made sure I put the whole name in there.

Sincerely, Kevin

Maybe less than 1/2 the pay check.