Duralube/Slick50 disagreement on PTFE

[kevin-design]

Hi all,
Just got a '92 corvette and need to change the oil. In the past, I have put a quart of Slick 50 or something in on the first oil change. I was at the store today and comparing this product to some others (ie. duralube) and while some take the approach of saying 'maximum levels of dupont's PTFE', others advertise 'No PTFE' and continue to describe that there are no harmful 'particles' in their additive such as PTFE. Now I don't know who to believe. Any opinions/experiences?
Thanks!
-kevin
PS. Also, I need to look up what oil to use with my LT1 engine- I took a guess and bought Valvoline 10W-30 SynPower Full Synthetic motor oil. Is 'synthetic motor oil' a marketing scheme, or are there proven, factual tests that show improved performance?

 

[Ken]

Synthetic oil holds up better to heat than petroleum-based oils.

Oh, and if you're using that stuff (Slick 50, Duralube, PTFE, whatever...) in your cars, I must remember to never buy a used car from you; I wouldn't use that stuff on a bet. :nono

 

[kevin-design]

Why?

So what oil do you use in your vette?
Also- can you elaborate on WHY you wouldn't use that stuff on a bet? Maybe point me toward some research or factual data?
:confused

 

[JonM]

Kevin...you will find that 99% of Corvette owners use Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-30, http://www.mobil1.com/index.jsp If you change your oil and filter on a regular basis (3K Miles) you don’t need the gimmicks or additives. Go with what the manual tells you, just change the oil.

You asked for a site about why not to use the additives...try the "Skeptics Dictionary"... http://skepdic.com/slick50.html

 

[Ken]

The problem with putting PTFE in your oil, as explained to us by several industry experts, is that PTFE is a solid. The additive makers claim this solid "coats" the moving parts in an engine (though that is far from being scientifically proven). Slick 50 is currently both the most aggressive advertiser and the most popular seller, with claims of over 14 million treatments sold. However, such solids seem even more inclined to coat non-moving parts, like oil passages and filters. After all, if it can build up under the pressures and friction exerted on a cylinder wall, then it stands to reason it should build up even better in places with low pressures and virtually no friction.

This conclusion seems to be borne out by tests on oil additives containing PTFE conducted by the NASA Lewis Research Center, which said in their report, "In the types of bearing surface contact we have looked at, we have seen no benefit. In some cases we have seen detrimental effect. The solids in the oil tend to accumulate at inlets and act as a dam, which simply blocks the oil from entering. Instead of helping, it is actually depriving parts of lubricant."

Remember, PTFE in oil additives is a suspended solid. Now think about why you have an oil filter on your engine. To remove suspended solids, right? Right. Therefore it would seem to follow that if your oil filter is doing its job, it will collect as much of the PTFE as possible, as quickly as possible. This can result in a clogged oil filter and decreased oil pressure throughout your engine.

For more reading, go to: Is That Additive Really A Negative?

_ken

 

[kevin-design]

I just read through that page and the other website that Jon posted (which seems to have quoted a lot of content from the former). Anyway, all this info is enough to convince me. I'm glad I asked.

 

[rrubel]

As another data point, I burned out a turbocharger in an older Subaru at only 75k miles. When I took it for repair, the guy asked if I was using Slick 50 (I had been for about 30k miles). He then pointed to some oil passages that were almost clogged shut (atherosclerosis for cars!) and claimed the Slick50 had done it. FWIW, he specializes in turbo repairs and performance mods and says PTFE is the kiss of death for an engine that runs hot (like a turbo).
[RICHR]

 

[Lone Ranger]

LT1 and LT4 powered Corvettes doi not come equipped with an oil cooler. This is the main reason GM specifies use of full synthetic in the owner's manual or else risk voiding warranty. While warranty is moot issue on most C4's, I tend to follow GM's recommendation. Mobil 1 5W-30 is all that goes into my '95. 10W-30 would be okay too, as long as its Mobil 1. Mobil 1 is the leader in retail brand synthetics. A motor with sythetic oil will also not form sludge and varnish deposits like you see in engines run on conventional motor oils. This is of note because LT1's and LT4's are notorious for creating a lot of condensation (water vapor) when warming up. With conventional motor oil this is a recipe for sludge formation unless the operator is meticulous about making sure the engine is run at full hot standard operating temperature for at least 20 minutes everytime its driven. There are numerous reports from the field of LT's that have been on only Mobil 1 being cracked open at 100,000+ miles looking shiney and like-new clean inside (i.e. for head porting, cam upgrade, etc).

The Valvoline full synthetic should meet the GM requirement as specified in the owner's manual, but stay the heck away from most additives.

 

[elkabong]

I have an 84 with 39k miles. I am due for an oil change and I was considering Mobil 1 Syn oil. I have read that if you change over to Mobil 1 in a vehicle that used standard oil you may create leaks. What is the real scoope on this? I do not know if Mobil one or any other synthetic oil has been used in this motor. If I was to guess I would say probably not.

 

[WhalePirot]

may create leaks

It may. Do you have any leaks now? It is thinner, typically and therefore fitsa through smaller crevices.

On older engines, with crud built up, it also may clean it in chunks.

Lots has been bantered about Syn/No Syn in past threads. You might wish to search on it.

I am quite happy with frequent changes of oil and filter. Having used Mobil and Castrol synthetics for many years, I now opt for regular Valvoline oil. I cannot prove that my #7 main bearing spun due to synthetic oil, but it sure as heck wasn't slippery enough to PREVENT it. Some here, claim that the cushion effect of a thicker oil has value. I lean that way, too.

mike

 

[elkabong]

There are no leaks. The oil pan gasket and rear main was replaced by the dealer when I first purchased the vehicle.

Hmmmm I guess more research and I will call the dealer and ask them what type of oil they changed it with the last time the oil was changed.

Thanks

 

[teeholt]

Kevin-design, change it to mobil 1 as I did on my 89 Vette. I had no leaks before or after the change. Just happy to have Mobil 1 oil and filter.

Enjoy!

 

[teeholt]

Meant for Elkabong....sorry.