detergent / non-detergent oil

[BlackEclipse]

Does every auto parts store sell non-detergent oil? I don't remember seeing it last time I was getting oil. The instructions for the rings on the forged pistons says to only use non-detergent oil to make the rings seat. Will it hurt to just use regular oil? Or is this absolutely necessary?

I always thought it was just you couldn't use synthetic oil becuase it was too slippery and it wouldn't let the rings seat.

Any advice from you engine builders out there????


For some of you that don't know:

Non-detergent oil is the kind of oil you mix with gas to use in 2-cycle engines. I think it has a lot less smoke when you burn it or something.

Detergent oil has extra chemicals in it to help lift dirt and keep it in a state of suspension.

[Gunner]

I doubt any of the chain stores would have non-detergent oil nowadays. Every bottle of oil on the shelf is likely to be detergent oil of some kind. I doubt it would make much difference as long as it isn't synthetic. Some of the detergents bond to the parts in the way synthetic does, but not to the extent of greatly reduced friction and whatnot.

[ucsigep]

here's something I found.

http://www.corax.org/hotwater/oil/Oil-8.html

I also asked on the Cinci list, since those guys have done quite a few rebuilds. :)

[talon guy]

speaking on that ..wut exactly is the proper way to break in an engine??

[ucsigep]

proper way? Honestly, there isn't one. :) You talk to 5 different builders, you will probably get 5 different break-in procedures.

It's a matter of remembering that when you build an engine, crap comes off everything, rings have to seat, and you don't want it blowing up right away. How often should you change the oil? Depends how much crap you're willing to have floating thru the motor. :)

[harry's94tsi]

ok, but my cars 10 y/o and i always heard that if you don't start out oil changes using synthetic then you shouldn't just use it in the middle of the engines life (mine has 101,xxx miles) i want to use synthetic next time but not sure if it would hurt, it wouldnt ,would it? -ryan

[EvolvedDSM]

Synthetic oil will not hurt your engine regardless of when you start using it (after any break-in period). Synthetic gets a bad rap in older engine because sometimes the engine appears to leak (more) oil. When in reality, leaks that present themselves after the addition of synthetic were already there. Usually, it's the dino oil that can "plug" the leaks, but is "washed" away w/ the synthetic and you now have a "new" leak.

[harry's94tsi]

ahhhh i see, thanks for the insight sir. i read another post somewhere in here that synthetic is actually better b/c when it runs through the turbo it is less likely to plug up the turbo lines and get all gunky. thanks , um , sir :thumb

[smokeshank]

i heard that with high milage engine, synthetic gets past the rings??? i dunno.

when your rings are old. like my 218k rings :)