is there no end to the oil changes

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 13:47
is there no end to the oil changes - gordonbennet

I splashed out, ho ho, on a Kranzle power washer, my last one was basically a toy in comparison, it has a dipstick and takes 15w40 engine oil...requires an annual oil change apparently.

Now my question to the assembly, would using 5w40 full synthetic mean i can put it on long life servicing.:-)

No, it's a leg pull it'll get the proper oil changed annually.

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 13:49
is there no end to the oil changes - skidpan

Sure our friend who does not believe in oil changes will be along shortly to tell you its a conspiracy.

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 14:30
is there no end to the oil changes - Wackyracer

The lower figure before the W makes very little difference (unless you live far up north where it gets very cold), That is the cold viscosity.

I use 5w40 in my lawn mower and compressor, because 5w40 is fully synthetic and no more expensive than mineral.

One thing I do know is that oil does wear out with time and use. I learned this first hand by not bothering to change the oil in my little compressor. It eventually got to the point where it would not start. the oil still looked clean but, had obviously losts its lubrication qualities. This is why I don't believe in filled for life gearboxes.

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 16:50
is there no end to the oil changes - Andrew-T

One thing I do know is that oil does wear out with time and use. I learned this first hand by not bothering to change the oil in my little compressor. It eventually got to the point where it would not start. the oil still looked clean but, had obviously losts its lubrication qualities. This is why I don't believe in filled for life gearboxes.

Gearbox oil isn't quite the same, as it only gets churned around, not being heated (much) or polluted by products of combustion, which are acidic and wet. That is why it was perhaps not such a clever idea when Issigonis and BMC tried to make the Mini oil do both jobs.

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 17:26
is there no end to the oil changes - skidpan

it only gets churned around, not being heated (much)

Ever felt a gearbox after a long run, obviously not.

That is why it was perhaps not such a clever idea when Issigonis and BMC tried to make the Mini oil do both jobs.

But how many Mini's, 1100's, Allegros, 1800's etc did hundreds of thousands of miles with no gearbox issues.

Edited by skidpan on 27/04/2015 at 17:27

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 18:00
is there no end to the oil changes - gordonbennet

I did wonder briefly about using some of the 10w40 i have kicking about, but some of the range of washers they make use the 15w40 whilst others are specced for 10w60...the Subaru WRX of pressure washers:-)

As the machine is guaranteed 2 years and the water pump 10 i'll do what they say.

The scar on my arm tells me that gearboxes get somewhat hotter than you might think, stuffed me arm up the side of a range rover box to try to manually knock the centre diff lock off, when i brought my arm down a sizeable patch of skin stayed put, sloooow cooker..

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 18:05
is there no end to the oil changes - Andrew-T

There's a difference between getting heat conducted from the engine block during a long run, and being exposed directly to combustion in the cylinders at several hundred deg.C. As Skidpan well knows. I never said gearboxes don't get hot.

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 18:07
is there no end to the oil changes - craig-pd130

Gearbox oil isn't quite the same, as it only gets churned around, not being heated (much) or polluted by products of combustion, which are acidic and wet. That is why it was perhaps not such a clever idea when Issigonis and BMC tried to make the Mini oil do both jobs.

It doesn't get exposed to combustion by-products, which of course does help longevity, but the meshing action of the gears does eventually break down the long-chain additives in the oil and reduce its lubrication and protective qualities. Which is why filled-for-life boxes aren't a great idea, even with super whizzy oil with loads of EP additives.

The oil recommended by manufacturers for 2-stroke motorcycle gearboxes is usually a 10W40 API SG bike oil (fewer friction-reducing additives), with a 4,000 or 8,000 mile service interval. Of course, bike clutches usually run in the same oil, so it gets contaminated with bits of friction material.

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 18:15
is there no end to the oil changes - skidpan

As Skidpan well knows. I never said gearboxes don't get hot.

I only quoted what you said which was "it only gets churned around, not being heated (much)"

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 23:25
is there no end to the oil changes - Trilogy

Sure our friend who does not believe in oil changes will be along shortly to tell you its a conspiracy.

It is a conspiracy. Well remembered! ;)

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Sat 2 May 2015 00:28
is there no end to the oil changes - John F

Sure our friend who does not believe in oil changes will be along shortly to tell you its a conspiracy.

It is a conspiracy. Well remembered! ;)

Just delete 'spiracy'. Anyone who believes oil magically loses its properties after 365 days has been well and truly conned.

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Sat 2 May 2015 00:52
is there no end to the oil changes - Wackyracer

Just delete 'spiracy'. Anyone who believes oil magically loses its properties after 365 days has been well and truly conned.

It might still have some lubrication properties but, It wont be the same viscosity as it was on the day it was poured in the engine. If it was a 30 weight oil when new it will be closer to a 20 weight after a year of use.

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 18:52
is there no end to the oil changes - corax

I splashed out, ho ho, on a Kranzle power washer

You spend days lovingly basting bilt hamber products on your chassis, now you're going to blast it all off with the machine from armegeddon - that sort of pressure will strip off anything in it's way won't it :)

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 19:56
is there no end to the oil changes - gordonbennet

You spend days lovingly basting bilt hamber products on your chassis, now you're going to blast it all off with the machine from armegeddon

hmm good point.

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Mon 27 Apr 2015 23:47
is there no end to the oil changes - Wackyracer

You spend days lovingly basting bilt hamber products on your chassis, now you're going to blast it all off with the machine from armegeddon

hmm good point.

Look on the bright side, it will be all clean and ready for another coat of Bilt Hambers finest :-)

I remember a mate years ago took his metro to a fuel station and gave it a blast with their jet washer, It took all the paint of the front valance.

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Tue 28 Apr 2015 00:16
is there no end to the oil changes - Bromptonaut

I remember a mate years ago took his metro to a fuel station and gave it a blast with their jet washer, It took all the paint of the front valance.

An ordinary high pressure hose took chunks out of the corroded sills in my first Mini - a 1973 model.

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Tue 28 Apr 2015 08:23
is there no end to the oil changes - dan86

I remember a mate years ago took his metro to a fuel station and gave it a blast with their jet washer, It took all the paint of the front valance.

An ordinary high pressure hose took chunks out of the corroded sills in my first Mini - a 1973 model.

I used to drive Johnston sweepers and one of the models we had had such a powerful jet wash on it that it would remove white lines from the road serface and break the tarmac is left in the same spot for more than a couple of seconds. But that was only if you turned it up to 11 ??

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