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New Life for Tired Snowblower

Written by Ches Cain

Bypass the Snowblower Follies

I bought this snowblower two and a half years ago under the assumption that it was on it’s last leg. The guy I bought it from had no clue about maintenance and thought he was ditching a lost cause. Thanks to AMSOIL I was able to halt the damage and solve a couple potential problems.

Snowblower life extended thanks to AMSOIL

Sludge and Deposits Are Common But They Don’t Have To Be

I watch my neighbors struggling to get their snow-blowers started – Mine is no longer a chore to get it going and before it had awful oil consumption. The owner likely just topped it off with oil although it’s one of the easiest pieces of equipment I’ve ever had to change oil on.

It was so black and thick I doubt it was drained in years. I drained it (totally black) replacing it with AMSOIL Formula 4-Stroke Commercial grade small engine oil 10W-30 synthetic (ASE), ran the Quickshot through the tank a couple times (had ethanol in it no doubt), used stabilizer over the summer and cleaned the intake w/ Powerfoam. – Now it starts on the first pull all the time. Started no problem at Zero deg. F yesterday and the oil level is still on the money. (Three oil changes now). Very likely deposits had formed in the rings. The Powerform and good detergent/despersant oil had the ability to increase the compression and reduce consumption.

AMSOIL is key to ensuring long lasting small engines
Stop in to the Sioux Falls store and protect your equipment today!! Cheaper motor oils and ignoring fuel maintenance reduced dependability greatly on these small engines.

Ask about the Powerfoam for all your small engines and carbureted motors. Even if you use 10% ethanol you need to use quickshot. A little goes a LONG way and solved severe fuel problems. Avoid repairs and downtime.

Formula 4-Stroke Synthetic Small Engine Oil Quickshot®

Maintenance, Sioux Falls Motor Oil and Lube News, , , , ,

Like our Facebook Page – Specials

Written by Ches Cain

Be sure to Like our Facebook Page

Like our AMSOIL Sioux Falls facebook page so you are certain to never miss out on updates, products and offers!!  And most importantly support Nebraska small business.

Here’s the link: Sioux Falls AMSOIL

Sioux Falls AMSOIL Facebook Page

AMSOIL Synthetic Warehouse in Sioux Falls specializes in developing synthetic lubricants that offer innovative answers to the greatest challenges vehicles and equipment present. The extraordinary performance of AMSOIL synthetic lubricants in a range of markets – automotive, powersports, industrial, racing and more – has made our influence in the industry unmistakable and our brand highly respected. Our commitment to innovation has resulted in legions of brand-loyal customers.

Many people think America’s best days for innovation and manufacturing are behind us. That companies are increasing margins instead of increasing quality. Al Amatuzio, the founder of AMSOIL INC., thinks otherwise. For over 40 years, AMSOIL has been formulating, blending, packaging, and serving as a leader in the synthetic lubrication industry. American innovation is indeed alive and well. Watch this video to learn more about Al Amatuzio’ s persistence in building an American company based on American values.

 

Sioux Falls Motor Oil and Lube News, ,

Exploring Causes of Motor Oil Consumption

Written by Ches Cain

What Causes Motor Oil Consumption?

amsoil marketing ed newmanEd Newman|

 

Everyone who owns a vehicle knows you need to regularly check the oil level. (Note: If you do not know this, you’d better go check your oil. and Check your tires too!!

Sioux Falls drivers check often for signs of oil consumptionA certain amount of oil loss is normal due to motor oil volatility – that is, boil-off due to the high-heat conditions inside an engine. I once attended two days of training at a quick lube (part of a major oil company chain) wherein they showed how their conventional oil lost up to 30 percent of its weight and their synthetic only 12 percent in a volatility test. It drove home the message I’d already adopted that synthetics were more resistant to oil consumption than conventional oils. AMSOIL synthetic motor oils are even more resistant to volatility. (Read about AMSOIL performance in the NOACK Volatility Test.)

Volatility isn’t the only reason you need to replenish your oil supply now and then. The problem of abnormal oil usage is far more complicated and, in fact, most of the causes are mechanical, not lubricant-related at all.

One of the major causes is engine leaks. An AMSOIL technical service bulletin titled “The Reasons for Motor Oil Consumption” says:

Some of the many points where external oil leaks may occur include oil lines, crankcase drain plug, oil-pan gasket, valve-cover gaskets, oil-pump gasket, fuel-pump gasket, timing case cover and camshaft bearing seal. No possible source of leakage should be neglected because even a very small leak can cause extremely high oil consumption. For example, it has been estimated that a leak of one drop of oil every 20 feet is approximately equal to a loss of one quart of oil every 100 miles. One way to check for external leaks is to road test the vehicle with a large piece of light-colored cloth tied under the engine. Oil on the cloth will indicate a leak, which should be traced to its source.

I recently burned a lot of cash trying to get an oil leak fixed. The first task is accurately locating the source of the leak. The problem may be front or rear main bearing seals, worn or damaged main bearings, worn or damaged connecting rod bearings, worn or damaged camshaft bearings, worn crankshaft journals, distorted cylinders, worn ring grooves, cracked or broken ring lands, problems with the wrist pins, clogged oil passages or even unequal tightening of bolts.

Sometimes a defective cooling system can cause engine overheating, which may result in localized hot spots in some of the cylinders that can lead to scuffing and scoring of cylinders, pistons and rings, resulting in high oil consumption.

If you really want to sink your teeth into it, causes for oil consumption can include too much oil in the crankcase, worn or broken piston rings, improper valve timing, incorrect oil pressure, piston slap, an internal gasket intake breach, spark knock, aftermarket performance chips and modifications, lugging engines, inappropriate operation of overdrive, leaking turbocharger seals, a restricted air intake and fuel dilution.

In short, few things are as simple as they might initially appear. When all is said and done, however, even though there may be multiple reasons for oil loss, in a mechanically sound engine it boils down to one: oil volatility. In this matter, synthetic motor oil provides better resistance to oil consumption. If you have a mechanically sound engine, you should be using synthetic oil to reduce oil consumption and to protect your investment. In addition to reduced oil usage, synthetics can reduce emissions and improve fuel economy.

During my three decades of writing about oil, I’ve always recommended a synthetic solution.

Local note: From our Sioux Falls store staff we hope you enjoy Ed’s blog. We will be posting more from his decades in the industry. It’s our quest to serve and inform Sioux Falls drivers and auto enthusiasts to the highest degree and always provide products which not only out perform but solve problems just the same.

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Should I Run Multi-Weight or Straight-Weight Oil in my Muscle Car?

Written by Ches Cain

Should I Run Multi-Weight or Straight-Weight Oil in my Muscle Car?

Ed Newman (Edited by Ches Cain)|

Mopar Muscle

Much of the stigma related to this has been eliminated due to technology.

Here’s the straight story on viscosity grade. The “W” number in, for example, a 15W-50 motor oil outlines the viscosity requirements of the oil when it is cold. This means that a 15W-rated oil has to meet certain criteria at cold temperatures. Taking our 50-weight example, a 15W-rated oil will flow more freely than a 20W-rated oil when compared at cold temperatures.

Winter weights have always confused people. Don’t be afraid of the W!

If you have a spec that calls for a 20W-50 but all you can find is a 15W-50, don’t sweat it. That just means it will have better flow at a lower temperature. Or as I tell people, at room temperature it’s closer to its operating viscosity than a straight weight. Or a 10W-30 is closer to it’s operating viscosity (30) than a SAE-30, and a 5W-30 is closer to its operating viscosity than a 10W-30. But the “W” is not the same type of number or scale as the 2nd number. A 10W-30 is NOT a 10 weight at one temp then a 30 at another!!  the 10W, or 20W is a totaly different test measuring toque absorbed at a given temperature range. The large number calculated is converted into the range which is your 5W and 10W and so on. A 0W is not a Zero Weight oil.

Now let’s talk about the “50” portion of a 15W-50, 20W-50 and straight SAE 50. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) states that a 50-weight oil must have a viscosity at 100°C above 16.3 cSt but less than 21.9 cSt and have a high-shear-rate viscosity minimum of 3.7 at 150°C. This means that a 15W-50, 20W50 and SAE 50 weight must all meet these requirements. This does not mean they respond the same but they all need to meet these requirements regardless to have the 50-weight designation. Technically a 50-weight is a 50-weight at operating temperature no matter what the W designation is.

There is a LOT of confusion with these numbers. A little research will fix that.

Against this backdrop of understanding, the question is, should you run a multi-weight or a straight weight in our example? The answer is, take a close look at the oil specifications and compare to what you want to do and pick an oil that fully meets your needs. The best question to ask is, how does the oil hold up under shear”? Shearing is the loss of oil viscosity during operation. Shear is especially a problem when running engines at high RPMs.

Now no matter the age of the engine, when you use a straight weight oil there is some risk based on the quality of the brand. Outside of the normal operating temperatures, any degree below  – lets say 75 degrees Fahrenheit, the oil will rapidly increase in viscosity. Starting an engine with a oil lacking the ability to flow as well as another also increases the likely hood to shear.  Multi-viscosity oils solve this issue. And these days, the lower the “W” test value, the more advanced the product.

Consider what determines quality at various levels

The quality of the motor oil brand determines how many cycles under stress the motor oil can withstand before sheering out to a undesired viscosity. In some of these companies, the quality of the additives is determined by the profit margins demanded by the stockholders. (AMSOIL by the way, has no stock holders.)

Typically, muscle car folks will have a tendency to run up the rpm from time to time, which can shear down the oil viscosity. Viscosity is one of the most important factors for overall engine protection. When oil viscosity at operating temperatures degrades significantly, engine protection will be compromised. On the other side of the coin, if you start and run your muscle car in colder climates, a multi-weight will definitely provide more oil flow to critical parts quicker. Remember, most engine wear on automobiles actually occurs on startup when engine oil is not flowing readily to engine components.

So there are applications for straight weight oils but automotive engines are no longer in that category. Take advantage of the reduction of stress multi-viscosity oils offer. Muscle car owners want to feel the power at the wheels and a smooth engine. You want the oil to be optimum at all temperature ranges and even after a long trip.

Viscosity selection tip: pick a multi-weight oil that has outstanding shear stability. I personally always recommend AMSOIL.  – The one motor oil with a guarantee to stay in grade!

By the way =

Amsoil Product Reports, Sioux Falls Motor Oil and Lube News

A Look at Today's Gasoline Issues and Quality

Written by Fiona

Gasoline is the source of your vehicle’s power – and many of its problems.

Gasoline quality is vital, yet often overlooked.

Dan Peterson - AMSOIL Technical Development

AMSOIL’s Dan Peterson.

Dan Peterson | VICE PRESIDENT, TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT

Gasoline’s influence on our lives can’t be overstated. Remember how the gas lines of the 1970s disrupted daily life? People waited hours to fill up – if there was any gas available once they finally pulled up to the pump. Odd-even rationing dictated that motorists could only fill up on even-numbered days if the last digit on their license plate was even. The fallout of the gas shortages of the 1970s was a driving force behind the government mandates to increase fuel efficiency that continue to influence the industry today.

A few years ago, when gas hit $5 a gallon in some places, stories populated the Internet and airwaves about people willfully losing money to sell their giant SUVs in favor of small, fuel-efficient cars. Some people even took a loss on their houses in the suburbs to move closer to work.

In many ways, gasoline makes the world go ‘round, yet many of your customers likely know almost nothing about it, including the negative effects it can have on their vehicles.

Gasoline is distilled from petroleum crude oil. Typically, a 42-gallon barrel of crude will yield about 19 U.S. gallons of gas. The final blend can contain hundreds of different ingredients, among which are detergency additives designed to prevent harmful deposits from forming inside your engine.

In 1995, the EPA introduced its minimum gasoline detergent standard, known as lowest additive concentration (LAC). The intent was to ensure that all gasoline available in the country contained sufficient detergent additives to combat formation of deposits that reduce fuel efficiency and performance.

The widespread use of electronic fuel injection in the 1980s was a driving force behind the introduction of the LAC mandate. It quickly became evident that fuel injectors were especially sensitive to deposits, and the gasoline of the time didn’t contain sufficient detergents.

Deposit formation on the injector tips disrupts the spray pattern, which reduces fuel economy and results in less-efficient combustion. This contributes to increased tailpipe emissions since unburned gasoline can escape the combustion chamber on the engine’s exhaust stroke.

Deposits can also form on the intake valve, piston crown and in the ring grooves. They can prevent the intake valve from closing completely, reducing engine compression and horsepower. Deposits in the ring grooves can lead to ring sticking, which also reduces engine compression since a stuck ring won’t seal the combustion chamber completely. Piston crown deposits act like a sponge that soaks up gasoline. This can result in preignition, where the fuel/air mixture ignites sporadically, reducing performance and potentially damaging the engine.

Many automakers today don’t think the LAC mandate goes far enough. In fact, many gasoline marketers have reduced detergent levels by up to 50 percent, according to www.toptiergas. com. TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is a performance specification designed by several of today’s top automakers.

Today’s vehicles run even hotter than they did in 1995. Since then the number of engines that use turbochargers, which increase heat, has grown substantially. So, too, has the number of vehicles that use direct fuel injection, which locates the injectors directly in the combustion chamber, exposed to intense heat. Plus, injectors today are more highly engineered with tighter tolerances, meaning even minute deposits can interfere with performance.

Gasoline is the source of your vehicle’s power – and many of its problems if you don’t perform proper maintenance. We formulate AMSOIL P.i.® to be one of the most potent additives on the market. It contains a very high dose of fuel detergents proven to combat the problems associated with gasoline, keeping injectors clean and functioning properly. In fact, testing showed dirty injectors returned to >95 percent flow after only one tank of gas treated with P.i. Just take a look at the dramatic before/ after images above.

As vehicles become more sophisticated and sensitive to gas quality, make sure you understand the importance of maintaining them with a quality fuel additive. AMSOIL provides solutions to problems you may not even be aware of.

Let AMSOIL Sioux Falls be your gasoline fuel additive source! Depend on us for the best products which will always be the state of the art for all Nebraskans! Thank you for your business. We love being here in Sioux Falls!

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