What engine oil do you guys run?

[sygfrid]

Check your owner's manual as it's designed to recommend what's best in your area. Why so? If you live in a colder climate, 0w-20 is thin enough to easily lubricate the internals in freezing temps. If you're in a hotter climate, you may not need such thin oil & a thicker one like 5w-30 may provide better protection.

Here in Canada, I've started using the FULL SYNTHETIC 0w-20 of Costco, which is a rebranded oil. It's about 50-60% cheaper at CA$39 for 2x4.73L jugs (2x 5qts) than the big brand ones but performs the same or even better. What's important is the oil has SAE-API certification. I run UEL catless + Ecutek tune.

[Wally86]

Originally Posted by Tokay444

The chemical composition of the oil.

Do you mean including enough TBNs to fight formic acid if the hydrophilic properties of E85 cause it to introduce water into the engine? Oil dilution?

There's always changing your oil early and getting it analyzed.

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by Wally86

Do you mean including enough TBNs to fight formic acid if the hydrophilic properties of E85 cause it to introduce water into the engine? Oil dilution?

I think those oils are for Diesel engines. While their chemical properties may be good I highly doubt the oil itself can compete with the high end synthetics we use. Still best just to change often.

[Wally86]

Originally Posted by TommyW

I think those oils are for Diesel engines. While their chemical properties may be good I highly doubt the oil itself can compete with the high end synthetics we use. Still best just to change often.

I was trying to figure out what @Tokay444 wasn't saying.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Wally86

Do you mean including enough TBNs to fight formic acid if the hydrophilic properties of E85 cause it to introduce water into the engine? Oil dilution?

There's always changing your oil early and getting it analyzed.

It's typical of his answers. Gives part his opinion but will never give you the whole nugget because you should know how to figure it out.

Basically, if you have no fuel dilution issues, there is no problem. If you have a fuel dilution issue that shows up in your UOA, address it. E85 is more acidic and can form compounds in the oil, but as long as you don't have an excess amount in your oil it is not significant.

[Wally86]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

It's typical of his answers. Gives part his opinion but will never give you the whole nugget because you should know how to figure it out.

Basically, if you have no fuel dilution issues, there is no problem. If you have a fuel dilution issue that shows up in your UOA, address it. E85 is more acidic and can form compounds in the oil, but as long as you don't have an excess amount in your oil it is not significant.

Him specifically mentioning the "chemical composition" of the oil is what made me curious and dig down a rabbit hole around the internets. I just couldn't find much more than info about dilution but that's more than an E85 issue (just look at honda CRVs).

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Wally86

Him specifically mentioning the "chemical composition" of the oil is what made me curious and dig down a rabbit hole around the internets. I just couldn't find much more than info about dilution but that's more than an E85 issue (just look at honda CRVs).

If you check out the bobistheoilguy forums there is a lot of info on it there. Just be prepared for nerd level information on engine oil.

[Wally86]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

If you check out the bobistheoilguy forums there is a lot of info on it there. Just be prepared for nerd level information on engine oil.

That's actually where it all lead me. I'm no stranger to that site lol

[Tokay444]

Originally Posted by TommyW

Uhhhh yeah. What is the difference from a normal synthetic?

Is it compatible with alcohol based fuel? Whether it's synthetic or not really has no barring.
Trying to run E85 in some DI cars will gum up the fuel pump to the point that it will not work at all, and needs to be replaced. Not very conducive to performance.

[Wally86]

Originally Posted by Tokay444

Is it compatible with alcohol based fuel? Whether it's synthetic or not really has no barring.
Trying to run E85 in some DI cars will gum up the fuel pump to the point that it will not work at all, and needs to be replaced. Not very conducive to performance.

What's the way to tell which oils are compatible?

The gumming fuel pump.... that's due to the oil compatibility?

[Tokay444]

Originally Posted by Wally86

What's the way to tell which oils are compatible?

The gumming fuel pump.... that's due to the oil compatibility?

Yes.
If it carries a DEXOS or GF-5 rating you’re likely to be ok, but it’s no guarantee running e85 in a non flex-fuel vehicle.

[Yoshoobaroo]

What? First of all, ethanol is not acidic, it’s actually slightly basic with a ph of 7.3. Second, a lot of places in the world allow up to 15% ethanol in normal gas, so all car manufacturers make their fuel system ethanol compatible. You won’t gum up a modern fuel pump with E85.

Yes a high ethanol content can cause the oil to break down quicker if a lot of it gets in the oil from your engine being worn, but on a healthy engine with a good seal on the rings you should be absolutely fine with a quality synthetic and the manufacturer’s recommended change interval. Dexos is pure 1000% GM marketing bullshit. It’s just another excuse to deny people warranty claims for using a non-approved oil(read: no license fee to them).

Running E85 is such a common performance mod these days that IF there was a big problem with it you’d see it all over the place With most modern engines being turbo DI everything from a Civic to a 911 turbo has flex fuel kits available.

[Tokay444]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

What? First of all, ethanol is not acidic, it’s actually slightly basic with a ph of 7.3. Second, a lot of places in the world allow up to 15% ethanol in normal gas, so all car manufacturers make their fuel system ethanol compatible. You won’t gum up a modern fuel pump with E85.

Yes a high ethanol content can cause the oil to break down quicker if a lot of it gets in the oil from your engine being worn, but on a healthy engine with a good seal on the rings you should be absolutely fine with a quality synthetic and the manufacturer’s recommended change interval. Dexos is pure 1000% GM marketing bullshit. Running E85 is such a common performance mod these days that IF there was a big problem with it you’d see it all over the place With most modern engines being turbo DI everything from a Civic to a 911 turbo has flex fuel kits available.

Try running full E85 in a brand new Mazda DISI or a FOCUS RS.
15% is a lot different than 85%

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

What? First of all, ethanol is not acidic, it’s actually slightly basic with a ph of 7.3. Second, a lot of places in the world allow up to 15% ethanol in normal gas, so all car manufacturers make their fuel system ethanol compatible. You won’t gum up a modern fuel pump with E85.

I think I misspoke, that the compounds it can form in oil are acidic when there is also water present, not the fuel itself. I'm on like a no sleep day