Amsoil synthetic oil? any good?

[sagacious]

I was wondering if anyone had any educated opinions about using Amsoil synthetic oil and super duty filters ?? i know a lot of people still believe synthetic oils will create oil leaks, or at least find a potentially weak seal and make it worse. but i stand corrected and i'd like to believe the statements amsoil claims about its Polyalphaolefin based syntheitcs. they've stated all other hydroisomerized petroleum based oil or ester based synthetic blends are not the way to go. any input on this ??

[blykins]

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[ccomt]

I believe that switching to synthetic motor oil has "caused" oil leaks in some of my cars. I purchased two high mileage cars (both had 100,000 miles) and I switched to Mobil One in both cars. The valve cover gaskets were made of cork and I believe they had expaned from long term exposure to conventional motor oil. By switching to synthetic, the gaskets appeared to shrink which prompted oil leaks at the valve covers.

Another situation in which oil leaks can occur is due to the increased detergents that are present in some oils. It was explained to me that "varnish" and other deposits can form around seals on rotating parts such as crankshafts. High detergent oils can remove some of those deposits which increase the clearance on the seal around the rotating part and therefore promote a leak. This is probably more common in automatic transmissions where fluid may not be changed at recommended intervals.

I have switched to using Amsoil synthetic trans fluid and engine oil in my newest vehicle and so far I don't have any leaks. I also spoke with the owner of a transmission shop who doesn't sell Amsoil but uses it exclusively in his cars and boat and loves it.

[relaxinrob]

I have Amsoil in all of my cars and trucks. I use the Amsoil filter and change the filter every 5000 miles and add a quart....no leaks even from my 79 Bronco!

I change the oil every 25000 miles except on the cobra which gets a complete change every 3000 miles.

Rob

[rdorman]

Personally I think that while Amsoil makes a fine product, but I also think it is over priced. I use Mobil 1 in the Cobra, and have no issues with leaks. I change it once a year (about 5000) and change the filter (K&N) a couple of times a year. I just top it off now and again. I just had the valve covers off the motor (it has about 13,000 on it) and you could eat off the inside of the motor. I looked like they where just tanked and blasted. 5W-30, year round, for me yeilds cold, fast idle pressure of about 80, never goes below 30 no matter how hot at idle and picks up < 10 psi per 1000.

I watch for sales on Mobil 1. Usually I can get it for about $4 a quart. I just buy a case when it is on sale.

On a side note, my local NAPA just starting carrying Amsoil. But the manager didn't think the relationship was going to last because of the price.

I think the bottom line is all the major synthetics are a good product. I think the differences between them are small and probably insignificant. With that thought process, I buy according to price alone.

Rick

[Bumpster]

I've used nothing but Amsoil in all of my vehicles for the past ten years or so, and they are one of the few products that live uo to their claims, in my opinion. They have all been new, for the most part, and I switch over to Amsoil after the break in period with regular oil. Amsoil saved an engine for me when a thermostat stuck in a Ranger and overheated big time before I knew it. When it cooled down I changed the thermostat and never had a problem with it since, about three years now.

I have heard of engines with high mileage that were switched over to Amsoil, or another synthetic, and developed leaking seals. You get different explainations for that from different people. I don't think I would take the chance myself.

Amsoil is sold by the multi-level marketing system, and anyone can become a dealer. They also have a "preferred customer" plan that costs $25.00 to join, I believe. You can get a discount that will bring the price down somewhat. If you have a club or a group of friends that want the product, one guy can sign up and buy for the group.

I was at a meeting a week ago and saw a new Amsoil product. It is a pre-oiler that mounts on a remote oil filter that is much smaller than other similar pre-oilers on the market. It should be available in a month or so. Check with any Amsoil dealer for info.

Bumpster

[JPguru3]

I'v been using synths since 1988 (Buick GN) back when all you heard about was Mobil-1, and i was told that was the best available at that time....Since then i have tried a few other brands and so far, here's what i found tested on my Turbo Buick +500HP (same 10w30, AC filter Change every 2K miles)

Mobil -1 3840miles, breakdown, 1 filter,didnt even get to swap another filter.
Castro Syntec 7000miles, breakdown,3 filters
Penzoil Synthetic 8000 miles, breakdown, after 3 filters,
Amsoil Synthetic 15,000miles, still no breakdown..7 filters later and still running great.....may change by july 06 for B-day...

Well i just know my cars will not leave home without AMSOIL ...Just like Amex.

[justinm26]

I agree that Amsoil is a little overpriced, but it IS a very good product. I honestly think that Mobil 1 is just as good though. A good rule of thumb is that you shouldn't switch to synthetic oil (if you've been using conventional) if you have over 60k miles. I used to have a copy of a comprehensive study of thermal breakdown and life spans of oil, but i don't have it anymore. However, the authors conclusion was that Red Line made the best oil overall, Mobil 1 was the best value, and Valvoline Max Life was the best conventional oil. One of the worst was Royal Purple. It significantly lost viscosity after about 1000 miles. I think Mobil 1 changed their formula pretty recently, so I think there's some debate as to whether it changed for better or worse.
____________________________________
under construction: FFR 1445k, svo 302, inglese intake, coil overs, four wheel disk brakes, stewart-warner gauges, etc., etc....

[Chilibit]

I have consistently heard over the past two years that Mobil 1 was dumbed down about the time of the Exxon/Mobil merger. To the extent that it is presently a blend and not a pure synthetic.

I still see M-B, Porsche and many others pasting Mobil 1 labels on their race cars. I wonder if that means they are using it in the motors? I would assume nothing.

I have always had good success with Amsoil. And in years past, I never had a problem with Mobil 1. I change the oil way too early usually, based on the analysis reports. But then I am four standard deviations to the old side of the bell curve around here. It works for me. The true synthetics tolerate heat far better than the cheap stuff though.

[dblbarrel]

I Bot a six pack of Mobil1 15-50 yesterday, the box says 100% synthetic.
They would not lie,,,,,,,,,,would they.

[Excaliber]

Lie? They got lawyers you know and they NEVER lie, they only stretch the truth and obfisucate the wording in subtle ways, but lie, no way!

[thudmaster]

I went to buy some mobil1 the other day and noticed the price was raised quite a bit. I asked why and was told that crude oil was much higher these days so it cost more to make it........... It took me about five minutes to explain to the man there should be no crude oil in it hench the synthetic name. He laughed and told me other custumers were waiting in line and did I want it or not. I bought it elsewhere.

Ed

[STG]

Mobil 1 is a full or true synthetic. The problem is the U.S. government's definition of synthetic.

A few years ago, Mobil sued Castrol over Castrol's advertising their Syntec oils as full syntheics.

Mobil 1 uses a 1synthetic PAO (Poly Alpha Olephin) Group-V base stock. Mobil invented this technology, and their synthetics have been and are true synthetics.

Castrol 'Syntec', is not a true synthetic. Syntec uses a group-III/IV base stock which is derived from natural petroleum/crude oil sources.

The courts decided that Castrol could call their Syntec oils full synthetics because Castrol claimed the base stocks recieved further refining processes than regular base stocks. Castrol is not allowed to market group III/IV base stock oils assyntheic oil in Europe.

I've read that Amsoil USED to buy their base from Mobil, and now buy from the lowest bidder using group III/IV base stock.

Remember that companies like Amsoil, Redline, Royal Purple mix ingredients purchased from others. Mobil invented fully syntheic oils in the 1950s and as far as I am concerned, make the best real sythetics.

Porsches, Corvettes and other high performance cars come with Mobil 1 from the factory and Mobil 1 is specified by the factory for changes.

You don't see Amsoil or any other "boutique" oil used and specified by manufacturers. But, what to the engineers at Stuttgart and Bowling Green know?

[Ant]

I became an Amsoil Preferential customer but didnt take it any further, I reckon they are full of s**t, as they always claim no other oil is close, and they have the lease on cutting edge technology, and everything they do is better!

At this stage I am considering Motul 15-50 race oil, which is like Castrol RS, can be used on road and race cars, Motul is purely synthetic made out of something like coconut oil, and serious race cars use it, I dont think Amsoil is widely used in the International race scene like the Motul or Castrol synthetics. Some Castrol synthetics are not pure synthetics and normally oil companies list them as such!

STG,

In 1972 Motul was the first to use Ester oils in Motorsports, transfering the technology from the aeronautics industry. Motul 300V versus Competition, Castrol RS 10W-60, Mobil 1 15W-50, Red Line 15W-50, Total Activa 10W-50
exceeded all these oils, in most areas of these tests, Friction Cameron Plint, NTHS, Shear stability, and Wear Cameron Plint, Oxidation Stability, the only oils that bettered it at NOACK Volatility were Castrol RS, Total Activa, plus Mobil 1 and Red Line were close to Motul 300V on the Friction Cameron Plint test. Another point with Motul is a reasonably high content of Zinc and Phospherous, which may benefit the engines used in most Cobras. I guess we all have choices and are biased after we have made our decision on which oil to use. One down side with Motul is I think it may be a lot dearer than the oils you have quoted, but you pay for quality!!!!

[1Bigfish]

Pour it in. You and your engine will feel the difference. Their all about the same. I spend a lot for Red Line but got the same results from Mobil One. I run it in everything, Cobra to mower.

[CSX 4027]

In a C O B R A ??
Best kept secret....
Valvoline Conventional Race oil..."Not for street use"
All the good stuff you'll need.
AND,,,,sold at every NAPA store

[Bob In Ct]

True synthetic oil molecules (Mobil1) are "built" from smaller molecules like methane and ethane. By joining these building blocks together a larger more specific molecule can be produced.

"Synthetics" like Castrol are molecules which are refined from crude oil. The process may be enhanced compared to regular oil but the final product is none-the-less a component of what was in the ground.


Bob