AMSOIL Technical Question Thread

[joemac]

Hello all, my name is Joe McGuire and I am an Independent AMSOIL Dealer. I recently became a sponsor of this site to help support it and make sure it is around for a long time. This is one of the most informative and friendly forums I am a member of.

I thought I would start a thread for members to ask questions about AMSOIL and lubricants in general. If you have questions about a specific product or a general question about any lubricants or how they compare to AMSOIL.

Please check out my promotions thread as well. I will try to make an effort to update it at least weekly with specials on products and I might even have a giveaway every now and then. Here is the link.

[GetMore]

Oh, boy! I have seen these go bad really quick. Hopefully not here though.

Please explain why Amsoil is not certified. (This is not a trick question, there actually is at least one good reason for it.)



Perhaps you can explain how they test the oils, and what the tests actually show, and how that relates to our engines.

[joemac]

First let me say that this thread is not here to bash AMSOIL. As with any product you will find people who like it and dislike it. If it turns into a bunch of flaming I will have the mods delete it.

Secondly I am no expert on these products or lubricants in general, but I will do my best and if I don't know something, I will do my best to get a legitimate answer.

Now to your post, what certification are you talking about and if there is at least on good reason for it why are you asking. Is this some type of test or trick question?

I will get you an answer on how exactly they do oil testing and the results.

[Yoda4561]

He's talking about API Spec licensing. Only a handful of their motor oils are allowed to be advertised as api certified.

[joemac]

OK, I have some information for you. I need you to realize I have AMSOIL literature, which they obviously pay to have produced. This is not third party testing. If you have third party information please PM it to me.

This brochure explains all of the tests and what they mean. It's a lot quicker than me typing all of that and it says it better.

Comparitve Motor Oil Testing

Here is some info on the API Licensing. I feel like you are looking for me to say something in particular, if so shoot me a PM and we can talk about itAPI info

[GetMore]

The problem with the advertising (and usually the vendors) is that they want to sell oil. Sure, they also believe that their stuff is the best, but sometimes facts get lost or hidden.

Really, I am not trying to bash Amsoil (or you), but I've seen a lot of crap on another site when Amsoil was discussed.

API certification, for instance: It costs a lot of money to get oil certified. In my mind that's just an excuse, because enough of it is sold to offset that cost.
However, if there is more zinc in the oil (which we all know is important for flat tappet cams) then it'll fail the API spec. So, it could be better to have an oil that won't pass.
On the other hand, one of the things that worried me about it not being certified is that there's no way to know that the formula stays the same.

About the testing: ALL oil companies tend to use tests that show favorable results. One might compare their results based on a four ball wear test, while another may use a different test for their advertising. One test might be a metal-on-metal test, while another might be more accurate in an application where there are bearings and an oil wedge.
What I was hoping for was an explanation of what the tests really show. I may be asking too much from you, as this info really is rather technical and probably not even made available to you. Sometimes I really do get too in-depth on the technicalities.

[joemac]

I pulled this from one of the links above. It states the test name and what it measures and how it relates to the end user. Is this what you are looking for?

ASTM D-4742 The Thin Film Oxygen Uptake Test (TFOUT) is used to evaluate an engine oil’s ability to resist heat and oxygen breakdown when contaminated with oxidized/nitrated fuel, water and soluble metals such as lead, copper, iron, manganese and silicon. The higher the number, the better the resistance to chemical breakdown.

ASTM D-5800 The NOACK Volatility Test determines the evaporation loss of lubricants in high temperature service. The more motor oils vaporize, the thicker and heavier they become, contributing to poor circulation, reduced fuel economy and increased oil consumption, wear and emissions. The lower the number, the better the resistance to vaporization.

ASTM D-97 The Pour Point Test determines the lowest temperature at which a lubricant will flow. The lower a lubricant’s pour point, the better protection it provides in low-temperature service.

ASTM D-2896 Total Base Number (TBN) is the measurement of a lubricant’s reserve alkalinity, which aids in the control of acids formed during the combustion process. The higher a motor oil’s TBN, the more effective it is in suspending wear causing contaminants and reducing the corrosive effects of acids over an extended period of time.

ASTM D-5293 The Cold Crank Simulator Test determines the apparent viscosity of lubricants at low temperatures and high shear rates. Viscosity of lubricants under these conditions is directly related to engine cranking and startability. The lower a lubricant’s cold crank viscosity, the easier an engine will turn over in cold temperatures.

ASTM D-4172 The Four-Ball Wear Test evaluates the protection provided by engine oil under conditions of pressure and sliding motion. The size of the scar left as a result of the test determines the amount of wear protection the lubricant provides. The smaller the wear scar, the better the protection.

[JEFFTATE]

Thanks for sponsoring , Joe.
AMSOIL makes good products .

[joemac]

Thanks Jeff, this is one of the best online communities I am a member of and am glad to be a sponsor.

[SuperCPA]

Hi Joe, I was told that the below pictured product could be used as a lubricant for general automotive transmissions such as a GM TH400. However, after looking up the description of its application at the Amsoil website, I am skeptical of that statement. Can you confirm or dispel this claim? Thanks for any help in advance.

[joemac]

It looks like it would probably work ok, but I would recommend using the proper fluid for an automobile application the universal ATF. That is for heavy equipment although the super shift racing transmission fluid looks pretty similar. If you want me to call technical support I will do so and post up their answer.

[SuperCPA]

That was fast! You have confirmed my suspicions and I don't feel comfortable using this in my race TH400 if it is not the intented application for this product.

I would hate to have to just dispose of this unopened product. Yet, there is no sense in letting it just take up space in my garage. Would it be likely that a local dealer would have any use for it?

[joemac]

That was fast! You have confirmed my suspicions and I don't feel comfortable using this in my race TH400 if it is not the intented application for this product.

I would hate to have to just dispose of this unopened product. Yet, there is no sense in letting it just take up space in my garage. Would it be likely that a local dealer would have any use for it?

Depending on how old it is there is a good chance you could return it. The only dealer that might take it off your hands is one that had a commercial account using it.

If I were you I would look at the universal ATF or the supershift product, but it doesn't specifically say GM, it says Ford type f and Allison C-4 but is made for racing trannies and is probably the best choice for your application.

I try to stay on top of this thread since I created it.