Engine Oils

[niranjanvaidya]

fine dust enters the engine is what they say... and this pollutes the engine oil.

From where does this enter is some thing I gotta learn about.

The air filter does let some in but that goes into the head and not the places where engine oil does its work!!!

@velociraptor13, thanks for the photo and people better understand the table!

Its really simple...dust and dirt from the air enters the engine via ineffective air cleaners, plug cleaning sessions , oil change holes and vent systems for crankcase. Dust particles are highly abrasive. Seen under a microscope, they resemble razor like flakes of dust. Once drawn into the engine they mix with metal particles generated inside the engine (due to normal wear and tear). These particles are carried by the oil into the clearances between moving parts. This fine dust mixture works in between these parts, and grinds and scores surfaces. This rapidly changes clearances and generates more abrasive "mixture".
It is this wear and tear that promotes drop in engine performance; hence the frequent change of oil for dusty areas.
Not just the oil but in many cases, where ever an engine utilizes oil filter or a strainer, it is essential to get it replaced/clean at the regular oil replacement interval.

[Raccoon]

^^^True, but the oil change act itself generates potential for more contaminants to enter the crankcase! Just observe the way most mechanics change the oil. Many will just keep the dipstick on a dusty floor/ground and replace it. Some keep the drain bolt that way and do the same job. Some will use dirty funnels... etc, etc, etc. So you gotta watch out against all this.

As for the oil strainers, I'v always wondered - how fine are they in bikes? Do they catch sufficiently fine particles? I'v been told its a metal mesh screen. I don't think that will catch very fine particles. Does anybody know better?

Its also true that most service centres do NOT clean the screen filters, centrifugal filters (CBZ-x) at all. Some HH supervisors in fact told me its not at all necessary to clean... as it rarely catches anything. its not like a car filter! And some have told me its absolutely necessary...

[niranjanvaidya]

^^^True, but the oil change act itself generates potential for more contaminants to enter the crankcase! Just observe the way most mechanics change the oil. Many will just keep the dipstick on a dusty floor/ground and replace it. Some keep the drain bolt that way and do the same job. Some will use dirty funnels... etc, etc, etc. So you gotta watch out against all this.

As for the oil strainers, I'v always wondered - how fine are they in bikes? Do they catch sufficiently fine particles? I'v been told its a metal mesh screen. I don't think that will catch very fine particles. Does anybody know better?

Its also true that most service centres do NOT clean the screen filters, centrifugal filters (CBZ-x) at all. Some HH supervisors in fact told me its not at all necessary to clean... as it rarely catches anything. its not like a car filter! And some have told me its absolutely necessary... :confused

Yup, you nailed it. With the common mechanic's "chalta hai" attitude, dirty funnels, dirty cloth for wiping dipstick, no cleanliness before refillin, any funnel is a clean funnel and keep it anywhere tendency for the drain bolt, all these become easy contributors.

The strainers are not as effective as the usual oil filters (as found on cars) but they are there for a purpose. While most of the service stations will be reluctant to clean them, it remains to us to keep pesterin them for this important task.

[onlinesatish]

One Mr. Siddarth had posted this in orkut!

SINGLE DAY BIG DISCOUNT OIL SALE FOR PUNE BIKERS
hey guys! we are offering a never before sale of PETRONAS lubricants at our retail lube store in pune. the offer is :- BUY 2 PACKS OF OIL ( 2T,4T,ETC.) & GET THE 3RD PACK ABSOLUTELY FREE. offer is only on 6 march 09 & till the stocks last. *we will also change your bikes oil free of cost(no labour charge) within 5 mins.
this same scheme will be launched for 4 wheeler oils after 15 days. so friends, save your money by buying in bulk qty. as oil is not perishable.
address: ARU TRADERS, paud phata chowk, karve road,diagonally opp. to dashbhuja ganpati temple, opp. butte patil complex, near raj restaurant. for any queries call on 9823363642 or 25450003. WE ACCEPT ALL CREDIT CARDS !WE ARE AUTHORISED DEALERS OF PETRONAS, MOBIL, SHELL, CASTROL, TOTAL, B.P., I.O.C., H.P.,ETC. WE HAVE ALL TYPES OF SYNTHETIC OILS,SPECIALITY GREASES, INDUSTRIAL OILS, EXCAVATOR FLUIDS, ENGINE FLUSH, OIL TREATMENTS, OCTANE BOOSTERS, PETROL ADDITIVES, DIESEL ADDITIVES. OIL FILTERS, DIESEL FILTERS, AIR FILTERS. WE ALSO HAVE ALL CAR CARE PRODUCTS -- CAR PERFUMES, CAR WAX, CAR WASH SHAMPOOS,TIRE FOAMS, DASHBOARD CLEANERS,SCRATCH OUTS, LEATHER CARE GELS, SEAT &UPHOLSTERY CLEANERS, WIND SHIELD CLEANERS, METAL SHINE POLISHES.
*FORMULA 1, SONAX, ARMOR ALL,WAXPOL,WUERTH,ETC.

*A COMPLIMENTERY GIFT (PETRONAS T SHIRTS, CAPS OR KEYCHAINS) WILL BE GIVEN TO THE FIRST FEW CUSTOMERS ON 6 TH MARCH 09.

Can somebody get that free can of oil and send it to me

[HydBiker]

@Satish, Pune guys should make a killing today!

@Niranjan, thanks for the explanation... I'm now thinking that this topic needs some more research

[Raccoon]

The strainers are not as effective as the usual oil filters (as found on cars) but they are there for a purpose. While most of the service stations will be reluctant to clean them, it remains to us to keep pesterin them for this important task.

We can pester them all we like... and they are quite capable of telling us that everthing has been cleaned, and even charge the same on the bill... of course they needn't even have opened the crankcase! The only way is to get it done in front of you... and the HH workshops are not ready to co-operate... so will have to find a way.

Any idea about the centrifugal filter?

so friends, save your money by buying in bulk qty. as oil is not perishable.

Dudes, this is not true. Engine oils are a complex cocktail of chemical substances, and they do breakdown over time. Most oils are said to have a shelf life of 3 to 4 years. So think twice before stocking up!

Also, formulations and specifications change... and you could get newer, better products over time.

To be on the safer side, I never buy an oil if its older than 6 months... max!

[niranjanvaidya]

Any idea about the centrifugal filter?

Try this

Oil filter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Raccoon]

^^^Thanks dude, but thats too elementary. Was kinda hoping for some input from someone who has actually seen it/cleaned it as its implemented on Indian bikes (esp. CBZ-x).

[velociraptor13]

^^^Thanks dude, but thats too elementary. Was kinda hoping for some input from someone who has actually seen it/cleaned it as its implemented on Indian bikes (esp. CBZ-x).

the filter is actually of the shape of a cigar.
one more thing,is it advisable to use a higher grade (15w-50,motul 500v) during summer and (10w-40,petronas sprinta-5000) during the rest of the season on the unicorn?
please advice?

[Raccoon]

Shape of a cigar?? I don't see anything resembling a cigar inside??

I don't think use of heavy oils like xW50 is warranted unless your bike runs really, really hot or something. Something like 20W40 is best suited for most parts of India. And its not a great idea to keep changing oils.

[sarbanoxley]

Their is a new 10W 30 fully synthetic oil on the market guys check it out.A
EX- dealer for castrol told me and my local oil wala confirmed this.
Power one R is going strong in my bike its colour was like urine but jelly when i 1st poured it into the bike and it smelled kind of like plastic.

I had poured 900ml first went for a 200+km ride.after that i left the engine to cool.then i let it idle for 3min to let the oil circulate and measured the oil.to my surprise it has DROPPED below the minimum mark.
I panicked and checked for leaks-none found.I had to pour all the remaining oil to get the oil mark on the dipstick to reach half-way.again i went for a 200km+ trip and checked the oil level it hasnt changed.

[velociraptor13]

Shape of a cigar?? I don't see anything resembling a cigar inside??

I don't think use of heavy oils like xW50 is warranted unless your bike runs really, really hot or something. Something like 20W40 is best suited for most parts of India. And its not a great idea to keep changing oils.

did u open the crankase to clean the filter.I havent opened it in my unicorn till now,though i have in my pulsar.maybe pulsars having a different type.

[HydBiker]

Suzuki Engine Oil

Guys
I saw Suzuki branded engine oil can yesterday when I visited a Suzuki service center. It is a Idemitsu 10W30 API SJ JASO MA oil similar to the one HH brands on their name too. Surprising thing is that it is mentioned the oil is designed for the Suzuki Access 125.

Can anyone confirm what oil they use for other bikes - the Zeus & the GS150R?

Photos:

[Raccoon]

did u open the crankase to clean the filter.I havent opened it in my unicorn till now,though i have in my pulsar.maybe pulsars having a different type.

No, I haven't opened it... don't have all the tools... nor a proper place to do the job. How many km have you covered without cleaning it? Better get it cleaned... in front of you!

Guys
I saw Suzuki branded engine oil can yesterday when I visited a Suzuki service center. It is a Idemitsu 10W30 API SJ JASO MA oil similar to the one HH brands on their name too. Surprising thing is that it is mentioned the oil is designed for the Suzuki Access 125.

Can anyone confirm what oil they use for other bikes - the Zeus & the GS150R?

Photos:

Good that its from Idemitsu... else BPCL seems to have replaced Idemitsu (for HH oil) everywhere here. Don't know any place here that stocks Idemitsu anymore...

[velociraptor13]

14308kms.Due for an oil change next week.Will get it cleaned at that time.