Posted by WOJ on July 21, 2000 at 00:42:16:
In Reply to: Re: Detergent Vs. Non-Detergent oil after dropping pan posted by Bill Wincapaw on July 18, 2000 at 20:06:56:
'ND oil gives better lubrication then Det oil"
Now Wincapoo that is an interesting statement and I would like to know the supporting research to prove this.
I have read several discussion on this topic for a few years now and I am amazed at all the mis- information, pathetic statements like the one above, old wives tale and complete hog wash, on the subject of motor oil floating around this and other forums.
First let me lay the "DETERGENT" myth to rest. The word detergent is an advertising word, made up in a New York advertising agency, to describe to the average Joe car owner what this NEW oil will do in place of his old ND motor oil. The actual, and correct terminology is "DISPERSANT" since the additives function appears to be one of affecting a dispersion of particulate matter rather than one of cleaning up any existing dirt and debris. That is right it WILL NOT clean your engine like Dawn cleans your dishes. If you are the brainy chemist type a dispersant is generally molecules having a large hydrocarbon tail and a polar group head. For you phallic symbol type-sperm would be the visual. The tail section, oleophilic group, serves as a stabilizer in the base fluid while the polar group serves as the element which is attracted to particulate contaminates in the lubricant. The contaminates are not SLUDGE but rather by-products( i.e. sulphur, zinc, chromate and other elements found in gasoline) from the combustion process entering the crank case from blow by. SLUDGE is oxidized oil similar to what happens to a deep fat fryer. If you want to see this for your self take a bottle of vegetable oil and remove the cap and let it sit for a month uncapped and presto SLUDGE!!!
SLUDGE can still form even in the presence of a "DETERGENT" motor oil as the additive will be used up and as stated above a "fresh" oil will not clean up previous SLUDGE deposits. If you really would like to eliminate sludge in your old flat head put in a hotter thermostat and refrain from long periods of at idle and short trips which will not heat the oil, NOT THE ENGINE, to proper operating temperature.
More to come on oil, or if you are really into researching the truth for yourself contact the LUBRIZOL Corporation (www.Lubrizol.com) as they were the inventors of the "DETERGENT" additive for motor oil.