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A Mechanic's Life - Tales From Under the Hood

2778 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2013 at 8:01 AM

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Messages Page 118 of 279

#1162 of 2778 Re: Question for the DOC [Mr_Shiftright] by thecardoc3

Feb 04, 2013 (4:36 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 03, 2013 9:59 pm)
Is there an injector kill function on OBD-II cars if one cylinder is heavily misfiring
 
It's more of a manufacturers function than an OBDII requirement. Ford makes liberal use of shutting down an injector when a misfire is detected. By turning off the injector, and then adjusting the fuel trim feedback map accordingly they can prove that they are not polluting the air, and they also protect the catalysts from damage. That combination can create a situation where the engine starts misfiring which results in a flashing check engine light, but if the misfire stops quick enough it doesn't result in a code setting.
 
An example is the exhaust valve springs are weak on my 2002 Ford Explorer. Under a hard pull, over 4000rpm say pulling a trailer up a hill I'll get a flashing MIL. If I lift the throttle, and allow the engine to downshift the mil stops flashing and no code is set. If I would stay in the throttle, #1 injector would get shut down for a period of time, and then the PCM would attempt to turn it back on when the engine load changed. If it misfires then, it will turn it back off and may or may not set a code depending on the number and type of misfires that were detected.

#1163 of 2778 Re: Here's a good one [steve_] by thecardoc3

Feb 04, 2013 (4:42 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 03, 2013 9:27 pm)
Well, you were talking about how "clean" your oil looked. If it looks so clean why bother with a $20 analysis?
 
Because you can't tell anymore just by looking at the color! That means oil that is "clear" can in fact be at the end of it's useable life, while in another engine you could have a condition where the oil is black from picking up old deposits and it does not necessarily need to be changed yet.
 
The paper test you linked to isn't the same as looking at the dipstick or rubbing some oil between your fingers or putting a drop on a paper towel
 
And it isn't twenty dollars a pop either, but it is very accurate.

#1164 of 2778 Re: Here's a good one [Mr_Shiftright] by kyfdx HOST

Feb 04, 2013 (5:34 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 03, 2013 1:37 pm)
I have never used "MINI" oil
 
I was heading to Autozone to buy a quart, and googled oil specs for my BMW, and it took me straight to the BMW USA website, and it gave me 5 specific oil brand/types I could use as a substitute for BMW branded synthetic...
 
Autozone had four of them...

#1165 of 2778 Re: Here's a good one [thecardoc3] by thecardoc3

Feb 04, 2013 (6:10 am)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Feb 04, 2013 4:28 am)
OK Steve. Now for the rest of the story, you should get your oil guys to help explain the answer so that you can write it out correctly.
 
Take the SynPower MST 5W30 as listed, and break down and explain each of the ratings it is shown for.
 
SynPower MST 5W-30 dexosTM2 API SN/CF, ACEA A3/B4-04,
                                                               ACEA C3-08, MB 229.51,
                                                               BMW LL-04,
                                                               VW 502.00/505.00/505.01
 
Everyone else, go to your local parts store and find a bottle of this oil and take photographs of both the front and rear labels.

#1166 of 2778 Re: Here's a good one [thecardoc3] by imidazol97

Feb 04, 2013 (6:16 am)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Feb 03, 2013 7:42 pm)
>http://www.fluidtesting.com/
 
I read and looked over the information about the paper testing methods from the seller's site. I decided I've been doing paper chromatography testing of my fluids all along when I drop a unit onto a paper towel and watch the spread and results. Why buy from them, because it's all relative and intuitive. They're selling the equivalent of nitrogen for tire air.
 
Their statement of confidence in their materials and the efficacy of the materials is telling:
 
"NOTE: One Drop Test is designed as an aid in determining the condition of the oils or fluids. There is no guarantee expressed or implied against component failure, since the damage may have already started before the first test. The equipment manufacturer[']s recommended practices should always be followed. Please read instructions and safety info below prior to using product. Be sure to dispose of your used oil and fluids in accordance with local regulations so as not to pollute."
 
Notice they left out the apostrophe in manufacturer's.

#1167 of 2778 Re: Here's a good one [kyfdx] by thecardoc3

Feb 04, 2013 (6:18 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Feb 04, 2013 5:34 am)
In our world not being specific will often have someone accuse of us of trying to hide something.
 
I was heading to Autozone to buy a quart, and googled oil specs for my BMW, and it took me straight to the BMW USA website,
 
That's correct, just like GM has a list of approved dexos1 suppliers, BMW has their list of suppliers who have specific BMW approvals.
 
 and it gave me 5 specific oil brand/types I could use as a substitute for BMW branded synthetic...
 
They aren't "substitutes", they are approved products, it might not seem like that makes a big difference but it does. You can substitute the spare tire for one of the regular wheels when you have a flat (if you actually have one today), but it clearly isn't the same as running on the correct wheels and tires. This is a difference that you can readily see, when we are talking engine oil this isn't something you can see. In fact few people really read the bottles and don't understand the ratings, nor how some companies display them.

#1168 of 2778 Re: Here's a good one [imidazol97] by thecardoc3

Feb 04, 2013 (6:29 am)

Replying to: imidazol97 (Feb 04, 2013 6:16 am)
I read and looked over the information about the paper testing methods from the seller's site. I decided I've been doing paper chromatography testing of my fluids all along when I drop a unit onto a paper towel and watch the spread and results.
 
In a sense you are correct, you have been using a repeatable method that isn't a lot different than their system. But do you buy the exact same paper towels each and every time?
 
NOTE: One Drop Test is designed as an aid in determining the condition of the oils or fluids. There is no guarantee expressed or implied against component failure, since the damage may have already started before the first test
 
And this is different from a full oil analysis how? Don't they have disclaimers too? Oil analysis works over a fleet of vehicles because it allows for long term trends to be revealed and is consistent in its approach. This is actually no different in that over time you can accurately assess when a service is due, and then have the complete analysis done afterwards if you choose, and then depending on those results adjust your service schedule. That's why as they say the system has Ford approval.
 
Notice they left out the apostrophe in manufacturer's
 
Certaintly not perfect now is it. But is it just a typo or did they have a reason to do that? BTW its not like they only used part of the ACEA spec like A1 or something similar.

#1169 of 2778 Re: Here's a good one [steve_] by thecardoc3

Feb 04, 2013 (6:32 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Feb 03, 2013 9:27 pm)
Remember this?
 
http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/do-i-have-to-use-the-manufacturers-oil.html

#1170 of 2778 Re: Here's a good one [thecardoc3] by steve_ HOST

Feb 04, 2013 (6:51 am)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Feb 04, 2013 6:32 am)
"According to the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act, the onus would be on GM or another automaker to prove that a non-manufacturer oil damaged the engine."
 
What Ron doesn't say is that it takes time and money and stress to enforce your claim under Magnusson-Moss.
 
I think the push back is already happening and we'll get back to fewer and simpler choices for oil change options.
 
And I'm glad to see you do agree that you can't tell anything about the condition of oil by looking at it.

#1171 of 2778 Re: Here's a good one [kyfdx] by thecardoc3

Feb 04, 2013 (6:51 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Feb 04, 2013 5:34 am)
Is this the list you found?
 
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/SyntheticEngineOils.aspx
 
Is the Valvoline SynPower 5W30 listed the same one that you will find on the parts store shelf?

Messages Page 118 of 279

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