From owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Tue Sep 6 10:02:12 2005 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Tuesday, September 6 2005 Volume 01 : Number 1947 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: Re: [db] dumb question about oil RE: [db] dumb question about oil Re: [db] dumb question about oil Re: [db] dumb question about oil Re: [db] dumb question about oil [db] Re: Transmission Oil Leak [db] Making Biodiesel in Atlanta area. Re: [db] Making Biodiesel in Atlanta area. Re: [db] Making Biodiesel in Atlanta area. [db] Home Heating Oil Re: [db] Home Heating Oil Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 10:50:38 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] dumb question about oil as a teacher, I have to say... no such thing as a dumb question... ;) (bottom line (after reading my own response... YES, ok to mix mobil 1 with the castrol... ;) Mobil 1 has ALWAYS been fully compatible with regular oil. Early synthetics were formulated using polyol esthers which did not work with dino (hydrocarbon)oil... There are a few highly specialized racing synthetics out there that are NOT compatible, but I know of none that mere mortals like us can buy at the corner parts store. (Unless they're caring redline... and even redline, to my knowledge, has a blended formulation now... the polyol esthers of course are the toughest formulation... hence the use for racing...) Mobil 1 began it's career as a synthesized hydrocarbon... meaning it's the same as regular oil, just reforumlated so it had consistent molecular size. Great idea... cost more but didn't provide benefits like extended drain intervals or real protection against thermal extremes. That Mobil 1 leaked in your Jag is not surprising. The Jag was probably leaking on dino oil too, but not as bad for two reasons. 1) dino oil is thicker and tends to clog up the leaks, 2) dino oil does not have "static" properties and will leak and leave the scene, whereas the synthesized hydrocarbons and true synthetics tend to "cling" because of their structure, so you notice it. :) Anyway, bottom line... YES, go ahead and add Mobil 1 to your Castrol GTX, it'll help prevent it from sludging up your engines... you're not running Castor GTX in your TDI are you???? The best dino oil out there, last I checked, was Kendall. Castrol had some problems a few years back... a buddy with an Audi had some major problems with Castrol and I found out Jim Startup quit using it as well. If the Mobil 1 is the newer formulation synthetic (most likely a blend of dibasic acid esther with polyol and so on...) it'll still be fine. Of course the best synthetic is amsoil, they were the first and have their formulation done solid. The nice thing about their formulation is that they don't have to use a lot of additives to get their viscosity range, hence the extended drain intervals and incredible temp ranges. They also have seal swelling agents to help seal the engine against leaks. I used some of the newer series 2000 stuff in one of my rigs and Jim Startup looked at it and said it was too thin... (It almost looked like ATF)... we were both surprised to see that the oil pressure in the engine was higher than normal!!! Amazing stuff... One of the biggest issues with oil is the additive packages... specifically it is the breakdown of the VI improvers that are added, they deplete and you're left with sludge... some of the viscosity index improvers actually can do bad things to Diesels... hence the warning about 10W40 in Diesels... the vi improvers actually deposit on the rings of a Diesel and can damage the cylinders!!! Anyway, the Mobil 1 will have a fairly high detergent component and will help clean up after the Castrol. ;) Cool on the TDI not leaking... I'm still thinking about how I can use WVO in my 300D... what I should be doing is pestering Curtis to finish my J10. ;) john On Mon, 5 Sep 2005, chuck goolsbee wrote: > -->Forgive me for the dumb question, and no MB content... > --> > -->Put the wife's car and my Jetta TDI through the oil change procedure last > -->night, first went fine, the second not so. After I drained the TDI and > -->started re-filling I noted that I didn't have enough oil. The bottles in the > -->case I thought were full were actually empty (D'oh). > --> > -->So I have 2 quarts of Castrol GTX in there and it is a holiday. I do have a > -->leftover half-filled 5-quart bottle of Mobil 1. (I briefly experimented > -->using synthetic in my old Jaguar, which just made it leak even more.) > --> > -->The Mobil 1 label says "Compatible with conventional oils" and it is the > -->same weight(s) as the Castrol already in the car. Can I pour it in? Or > -->should I go find a store that is open where I can buy more Castrol? > --> > -->I have heard you can't mix conventional and synthetic. What is the risk of > -->doing so? Death? Destruction? Rips in space/time? =) > --> > --> > --> > --> > -->BTW John, I had the TDI's engine completely uncovered (it is well-shrouded > -->in sound-deadening stuff) and there are NO signs of leaks whatsoever. Even > -->after running 50/50 with WVO for a couple of months. > --> > -->-- > -->--chuck goolsbee > -->02 Jetta TDi (but also looking for a 300SD or SDL) > -->arlington, wa, usa > --> > --> ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 11:05:27 -0700 From: chuck goolsbee Subject: RE: [db] dumb question about oil At 12:43 PM -0500 9/5/05, Alec Cordova wrote: > >has collected some goodies ("yum yums," as >Emeril the chef might call them) from the Jag. Oh, I should have been more clear. The Mobil 1 is new/clean. The Jag uses just under 11 quarts, so I bought two big jugs of it, plus a few quarts. I ended up with about one half jug left over. It was all moot anyway as I put about 2000 Mobil1-using miles on the Jag and then it's engine fell apart. It turns out the guy who built it assembled it all wrong (wrist pins upside down, head clearances all way off, worn main bearing left in, block not tanked, etc)... Mike Frank knows the whole gory story as he's on the Jaguar mailing list I've related all this horror on. Unlike there though I can name names here: Classic Jaguar of Austin, Texas... they're the ones that did it! (ah, that felt good.) Thanks for all the help guys. I'll go ahead and pour the Mobil 1 in and drive. - -- - --chuck goolsbee 02 Jetta TDi (but also looking for a 300SD or SDL) arlington, wa, usa ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 13:12:34 -0500 From: Jon Filina Subject: Re: [db] dumb question about oil Chuck asked: > Forgive me for the dumb question, and no MB content... > > Put the wife's car and my Jetta TDI through the oil change procedure > last night, first went fine, the second not so. After I drained the > TDI and started re-filling I noted that I didn't have enough oil. The > bottles in the case I thought were full were actually empty (D'oh). > > So I have 2 quarts of Castrol GTX in there and it is a holiday. I do > have a leftover half-filled 5-quart bottle of Mobil 1. (I briefly > experimented using synthetic in my old Jaguar, which just made it leak > even more.) > > The Mobil 1 label says "Compatible with conventional oils" and it is > the same weight(s) as the Castrol already in the car. Can I pour it > in? Or should I go find a store that is open where I can buy more > Castrol? > > I have heard you can't mix conventional and synthetic. What is the > risk of doing so? Death? Destruction? Rips in space/time? =) Mix away! AFAIK, the only downside of your "oil cocktail" is that you'll still have to change the oil in 3000 mi. or so and not at 10,000 mi. (or whatever the normal synthetic cycle is). Marshall Booth (AKA "Der Diesel Doktor"), who is on the other MB list I take, started out mixing conventional and synthetic oils for use in his MB's several years ago. He finally switched to synthetics and currently runs Delvac1. Just a thought, but why are you using Castrol GTX? I am under the impression that the TDI's came from the factory filled with synthetic oil. If you have no leaks, that's the way I'd go if I were you. Surf over to: http://www.tdiclub.com/ Go to the FAQ's and check out the section on oils. The website has a lot of good information. It almost makes me want to go back to VW's, but I've gotten spoiled with the last two MB's I've owned. Jon '84 300SD "Bruno" '81 240D "Mathilde" (RIP) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 11:58:07 -0700 From: chuck goolsbee Subject: Re: [db] dumb question about oil At 1:12 PM -0500 9/5/05, Jon Filina wrote: >Mix away! AFAIK, the only downside of your "oil cocktail" is that >you'll still have to change the oil in 3000 mi. or so and not at >10,000 mi. Noted. I tend to change oil frequently in the "daily drivers" anyway. >Just a thought, but why are you using Castrol GTX? I am under the >impression that the TDI's came from the factory filled with >synthetic oil. If you have no leaks, that's the way I'd go if I >were you. Because I do the maintenance on 4 cars around here (2 VW's, 1 Dodge Truck, the old Jag) and it is easier to buy a couple of cases of one thing than a bunch of different stuff. Yes... I am lazy. =) >Surf over to: http://www.tdiclub.com/ > >Go to the FAQ's and check out the section on oils. The website has >a lot of good information. Indeed, thanks. Looks like an excellent resource. - -- - --chuck goolsbee 02 Jetta TDi (but also looking for a 300SD or SDL) arlington, wa, usa ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 12:14:04 -0700 From: "Dan Jacobs" Subject: Re: [db] dumb question about oil There are no dumb questions when it comes to oil, and the wide difference in answers from different people can be quite entertaining! > One of the biggest issues with oil is the additive packages... > specifically it > is the breakdown of the VI improvers that are added, > they deplete and you're left with sludge... some of the viscosity index > improvers actually > can do bad things to Diesels... hence the warning about 10W40 in > Diesels... the vi improvers > actually deposit on the rings of a Diesel and can damage the cylinders!!! Which 10-40, or all 10-40 weight oils? If it is approved for your engine (RTFM), then how could you go wrong? Besides, I alwasy tell folks to use an oil made to work in diesel engines in a diesel engine. There is a reason I only use Shell Rotella, Chevron Delo, Valvoline Blue (or whatever they are calling it now, haven't used it in a while), or Mobil Delvac i a diesel engine: It is formualted for it. Deisels have acids and soot that must be dealt with in order to protect the engine. Modern oils do much more than just lubricate moving parts. Diesel Dan, your "Old burnt coffee will work, but only for a very short trip" man in beautiful Washougal, WA PS: I run the Chevron Delo in my 1983 Honda Gold Wing, too. Oil testing has proven it's good in that motor, especially since the engine, clutch, and tranny share oil. I get the stuff at Costco by the case, and Honda says to change the oil in the bike after 8K miles. Whoohoo! ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 16:44:37 -0400 From: "Pedro L. Rodriguez" Subject: [db] Re: Transmission Oil Leak Corey, The part you are describing is the secondary oil pump that these cars have to pump oil through the tranny when the vehicle is rolling with the motor off. Tightening the allen head bolts will not solve the problem. I replaced this seal (o-ring) on my 85 190d a couple months ago and the leak went away. It can be done w/o dropping the tranny but you^Rll need to disconnect the drive shaft and rear tranny mount and then push the engine up with a jack from the front of the oil pan. You will then have access to remove the allen head bolts. Also remove the exhaust shield if there is one in the area to make access easier. Once you the bolts off you will have to tap in different directions to get the pump to come out. This job is much easier when the car is on a lift, very difficult if you have to work at ground level. Good luck. Pedro L. Rodriguez Coral Gables, FL 85 190d & 86 190d ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 17:15:27 -0500 From: "Allen Zylstra" Subject: [db] Making Biodiesel in Atlanta area. Is there anyone on the list that is in the Altanta area that would be interested in making biodiesel. I have been able to get some friends with Dodge/Cummins together that are interested. One has more money than time so he will be helping with his connections to local restaruants and securing equipment. I have the know how or access to it and willing to do it along with a High School Ag teacher who wants to do it for a class project. Also just met the man who is running for the State Department of Agriculture position. It helps to know people. My state representive goes to my church and and he is very interested in the project benz. He owns a local farm supply store and may be able to get us discounted equipment. This may be happening soon unless I get deployed with FEMA. I am currently on call. I would like to build a processor that can make a large enough quantity to support the needs of all involved. Allen ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 15:22:22 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] Making Biodiesel in Atlanta area. perhaps we should start a document on the list to show how it's done, an outline reviewed and edited by all... might be a little cumbersome to keep clean and organized, but might be useful... of course there are plenty of websites already dealing with it... When I get some time I'm going to research sources for components for WVO, but as prices climb biodiesel at the pump is making more ane more sense... Wish your group well!!! john On Mon, 5 Sep 2005, Allen Zylstra wrote: >-->Is there anyone on the list that is in the Altanta area that would be >-->interested in making biodiesel. I have been able to get some friends >-->with Dodge/Cummins together that are interested. One has more money than >-->time so he will be helping with his connections to local restaruants and >-->securing equipment. I have the know how or access to it and willing to >-->do it along with a High School Ag teacher who wants to do it for a class >-->project. Also just met the man who is running for the State Department >-->of Agriculture position. It helps to know people. My state representive >-->goes to my church and and he is very interested in the project benz. He >-->owns a local farm supply store and may be able to get us discounted >-->equipment. This may be happening soon unless I get deployed with FEMA. >-->I am currently on call. I would like to build a processor that can make >-->a large enough quantity to support the needs of all involved. Allen >--> ---- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 19:12:07 -0500 From: "Allen Zylstra" Subject: Re: [db] Making Biodiesel in Atlanta area. I am hoping this will take off. I need to do some more research, but the bonus is we have a farm to locate on. Some space to use for the equipment. I just thought some of the people on the list might be interested if they are in the area. Allen -------------------------------------------------------------------- From: john To: Allen Zylstra CC: diesel-benz-at-digest.net, xj-at-digest.net Subject: Re: [db] Making Biodiesel in Atlanta area. Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 15:22:22 -0700 (PDT) > >perhaps we should start a document on the list to show how it's done, >an outline reviewed and edited by all... might be a little cumbersome to >keep clean and organized, but might be useful... of course there are plenty >of websites already dealing with it... > >When I get some time I'm going to research sources for components for WVO, >but as prices climb biodiesel at the pump is making more ane more sense... > > >Wish your group well!!! > >john > >On Mon, 5 Sep 2005, Allen Zylstra wrote: > > >-->Is there anyone on the list that is in the Altanta area that would be > >-->interested in making biodiesel. I have been able to get some friends > >-->with Dodge/Cummins together that are interested. One has more money than > >-->time so he will be helping with his connections to local restaruants and > >-->securing equipment. I have the know how or access to it and willing to > >-->do it along with a High School Ag teacher who wants to do it for a class > >-->project. Also just met the man who is running for the State Department > >-->of Agriculture position. It helps to know people. My state representive > >-->goes to my church and and he is very interested in the project benz. He > >-->owns a local farm supply store and may be able to get us discounted > >-->equipment. This may be happening soon unless I get deployed with FEMA. > >-->I am currently on call. I would like to build a processor that can make > >-->a large enough quantity to support the needs of all involved. Allen > >--> > > ---- > >------------------------------------------------------------------------- > ** http://JohnMeister.com **** http://wagoneers.com ** > Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold > ** http://freegift.net *** http://greatcom.org/laws/languages.html ** >------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2005 08:56:31 -0700 From: "Nick Eckert" Subject: [db] Home Heating Oil Last weekend I purchased for $25 a 275 gallon home heating oil tank that came with about 40 gallons of home heating oil. In order to set the tank up, I drained the contents into jerry cans. Road tax issues aside, any thoughts on a good ratio to run this stuff through the 240D. I was thinking about 50/50. I am fitting the tank with a fuel transfer pump and going to have biodiesel delivered right to the house. Cheers, Nick [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type text/x-vcard which had a name of Nick Eckert.vcf] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 06 Sep 2005 09:57:57 -0700 From: Greg Fiorentino Subject: Re: [db] Home Heating Oil Nick Eckert wrote: Last weekend I purchased for $25 a 275 gallon home heating oil tank that came with about 40 gallons of home heating oil. In order to set the tank up, I drained the contents into jerry cans. Road tax issues aside, any thoughts on a good ratio to run this stuff through the 240D. I was thinking about 50/50. I am fitting the tank with a fuel transfer pump and going to have biodiesel delivered right to the house. Cheers, Nick Nick: As long as it is clean and has no "bugs"it should work fine at 100% HHO 0% Diesel. The stuff should be the same. That being said, a small percentage of BioD (about 5%) should improve lubricity a lot. Greg Fiorentino Vancouver USA '86 300 SDL '84 300D Turbo '79 300TD '85 6.9L F350 Crew Cab ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #1947 **********************************