Tech Notes
Engine Builders: What is viscosity breakdown? All of us in this business understand an SAE 5W-20 oil is thinner in viscosity than an SAE 10W-30 and that the “W” stands for winter, but that’s probably about where it stops even though there is more to the story. Motor oils thin in viscosity as they warm
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: At Quaker State Research, the folks working on the technical hotline answer hundreds of lubricant questions every day. Let’s answer a few more obscure questions you may or may not have heard before. Question: Can engine oil actually impact my fuel economy? Answer: Yes, but in the range of a few percent. Believe
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: Pennzoil® reengineered its Pennzoil Platinum™ full synthetic motor oil and introduced adaptive molecules that are designed to survive the searing heat, intense pressures and shearing forces of today’s precision-made engine parts. The unique adaptive molecules in Pennzoil Platinum™ are engineered to manage the constant mechanical stresses inside an engine. They constantly change shape
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: Synthetic oils have been available for almost 30 years and a number of inaccurate myths have developed during this time. Some areas of misunderstanding are clarified below, including manufacturer requirements for using synthetics, how to switch from conventional to synthetic oil and the effects of synthetics on an engine. Myth 1: Synthetic oils
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: As engine technology advances to produce more efficient engines, motor oil must continue to meet the increasing demands for lubricating these precision-made engines. Development of the next specification of gasoline-fuel (GF) motor oil began only months after the latest specification, GF-4, became available in 2004. The GF-5 motor oil specification created by the
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: After 75,000 miles, your customers’ engines can begin to show their age. They may consume a bit more oil or oil could leak past intake valve stem seals. Higher Mileage specialty motor oils typically contain additives that condition the rubber seals to help reduce oil consumption. They can also have high quality base
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: One of the great debates in automotive service is oil drain intervals. The correct oil change interval is the one prescribed by the engine manufacturer that can be found in a vehicle owner’s manual. Oil drain interval is determined by the engine type, drive train, vehicle type and expected use. Each OEM tests
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding additional crankshaft bearing undersizes for 1967-2005 GM Chevrolet V8 engines. This information refers to Chevrolet engines that are also designated as “Big Block” and “Small Block” engines. To allow engine builders increased flexibility to select fit engine bearings for desired oil clearance during assembly,
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: Why is synthetic motor oil superior to conventional motor oil? Full synthetic motor oils outperform conventional and synthetic blend motor oils in nearly all aspects of engine protection. Full synthetics start with a quality base oil combined with an additive formula that enables it to help provide superior protection to prevent friction, resist
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding a cylinder boring caution for 1996-2002 GM 5.7L VIN R engines. These engines are the last version of the original small block series and have been commonly called “Vortec” engines. It has been reported that cylinder bore distortion is prevalent in these blocks. Therefore,
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding a revised cylinder head gasket for Cummins ISB/ISBe 5.9L diesel engines. This information applies only to engines used for marine applications. This service bulletin topic introduces a redesigned cylinder head gasket to accommodate the cylinder pressure requirements of the QSB 425 marine engine. The
Tech Notes
Engine Builders: The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding an oversize piston and revised bore specification for 1999-2004 Subaru 2.5L SOHC engines. This engine uses a selective bore process for determining piston use. Originally, the pistons selected were either an “A” or “B” to obtain the desired 0.010 – 0.030 (mm) piston to