Hello 540 RAT. I’d like to understand the nature of the test you use to measure wear resistance. Could you elaborate? I’m intrigued by some of your conclusions, which, while counter to common wisdom mirror those expressed by Ed Hacket (ages ago) and AE Haas (a cardiologist, knows something about fluids in closed systems…).
I’ve been involved in testing and managing testing labs and understand both the desirability of actual mirroring of the use condition (e.g.: test it in a motor) and also the value and practicality of tests to simulate and exceed a specific measure. But without more info its very hard to have faith in the results.
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Hi Grant,
You obviously have not actually read my Blog, or you would know that I have already addressed the things you mention.
You are one of only two or three people out of over 370,000 Blog views, in about 4 1/2 years this Blog has existed, who wants to know the nuts and bolts behind my Engineering tests. Virtually all of my readers are only interested in the final results of those tests. Keep in mind that my Blog is not intended to be a chapter out of an Engineering text book. So, it is not my job to educate people how to be an arm chair Engineer. Perhaps you have an ulterior motive. There are a number of critics who just cannot accept the fact that Engineering tests have PROVEN, what they have always believed about motor oil, is completely WRONG.
I spent a LOT of time, money and effort developing my proprietary test equipment and test procedure, that is capable of repeatable test results within a small range of +/- percentage points, and at the same time, exactly matches real world experience. My Engineering test data provides the best motor oil wear protection capability information you will ever find anywhere, which I share with the whole world for free. But, I am not about to give up the details of all the blood, sweat and tears, it took to get there. What I do share about my Engineering testing, is in my Blog under the heading “METHODOLOGY”. You can search that or scroll to it, and check it out if you want.
And with regard to testing oil in an engine, if you had read my Blog you would also know that is a complete waste of time, effort and money, if you are looking to arrive at the same data I provide. Here’s why: Engines are not designed to force a motor oil to its failure point. So, you could test say a half dozen different oils in an engine, and perhaps nothing bad would happen. What would that tell you? It would only tell you that those oils had sufficient wear protection capability to prevent a problem in that particular engine, being operated in the particular manner in which it was operated, for that particular length of time. BUT, it would NOT tell you anything about how those oils compare to each other. Some oils might be quite good, while some other oils might be just barely good enough. And you could not tell which oil was which.
In addition to that, you wouldn’t live long enough to spend the decades and decades it would take to test over 200 different motor oils, in an engine, in an identical manner every single time. And don’t forget that over all those years, your test engine would wear out, skewing your tests. Plus, the oils you were trying to test and compare, would over the years, no longer be made, as new oils came along to replace them, making it impossible to keep up with changing motor oil formulas as well. So, that whole idea is completely worthless.
On the other hand, my test equipment and test procedure are specifically designed to bring each oil to its failure point. That way we can determine the maximum wear protection capability each motor oil is able to provide. And each oil’s maximum capability, given in psi, is what we can compare. With that data, we can make an informed decision as to which oil best meets our needs, and which oils should be avoided.
If anyone finds what I do share, along with my credentials, is insufficient for them to accept my Engineering test data, even after having read my entire Blog, then they are certainly free to ignore my Blog and continue to guess which oils are best. I don’t sell anything, so it does not affect me on way other the other. I have a long standing challenge to anyone, anywhere, to “prove” that my Engineering Test Data is wrong. And no one can do it, because my data comes from the Science of Physics and Chemistry that are involved in the testing. No one can prove Science wrong. And that is why my Engineering test data exactly matches real world experience. My test data is the real deal, and it could save your engine, by allowing you to choose the right motor oil.
Take care,
540 RAT