Changing Oil

oops... I think that has happened?

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Beats watching TV. Sorry, Deb

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Max hit it right on the head. It's not thermal viscosity breakdown of the oil that kills engines. It's wear metal contamination. Over time, metal from bearings and rings and other parts that wear during engine start, or because of operation under low oil levels,as well as dirt and combustion byproducts, will build up in your oil. This turns your lubricant into an abrasive liquid. Ever notice the guys that rarely change their oil always seem to have a leak or two? The rear main seals on the engine are one of the first to be damaged by this practice, as they are constantly immersed in this abrasive oil. Most of the metal stuff is small enough that it flows right through your oil filter, so changing your filter won't get it all. I like to change my oil and filter every 4000 miles. I could probably get away with going longer between services, but I'm very picky about my engines. I think keeping your oil changed regularly and keeping a close eye on oil and coolant levels are two of the most important things you can do to prolong the life of your engine. I own 3 vehicles with over 100,000 miles on them. Not one leaks or smokes a bit.

Run it till the wheels fall off. I once knew an old man who bought a brand new Buick. He was tight as the bark on a tree. Never did change oil, he said when it got a quart low he would put in a half quart of the cheapest oil he could find. About every 25,000 miles he would dump in a quart of keresene just to loosen things up. He sold his Buick at 10 years old, with 93,000 actual miles and the original factory oil filter.

No, No, Keiser. Some of us are just not fond of TV, until maybe a blizzard. You might want to check out the General Chat Section...Deb

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That thar may vork, but let me tell you if you vant an engine to run forever jost add a little lutifisk to the oil. That engine will run forever trying to get away from that thar lutifisk. You betcha.

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Mess with me? I may let karma take care of it. Mess with my family? I become Karma.

The truth about oil changes. The Army figured out years ago that it was wasting millions changing oil in its fleet based on time. Now we take an oil sample and send it to a lab where it is checked for viscosity and contaminates to include metal particles which warn of different component failures. The program saves millions. I have not heard of a civilian program other than big fleet owners where it is cost effective.
My new chev truck does something similiar in the computer where it tracks driving conditions, miles, RPM and I think air cleaner restriction to turn on an idiot light for when to change the oil.It usually comes on around 7000-8000 miles for me which unfortunately was about 1-2 months for business use.

The new oils,fuel,vehicles,tires, roads are much better than when we had the old rule of thumb 3 months or 3000 miles. Unless you are driving in real unusual conditions with an older vehicle, I would feel safe today with a twice a year or 5000-7500 mile rule of thumb. Of course whats a 20 dollar oil change compared to a $3000 engine.

I use my old oil to paint the chicken house. It keeps down mites and other nasty things that prey on my chickens.I also use it to paint my house( keeps the wood from rotting). I know, I know this has nothing to do with this thread. I just thought I would hijack it into things to do with your old oil thread.Makes more sense
tnborn

I think all the mods have been drinking too much. Maybe there is some sort of "mod flu" going around that makes them crazy for a few posts.

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A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

I agree. This is the 3rd time CF has put a wrinkle in his credibility. The first time (for me) his post encouraged me to input my personal info such as name, address and maybe Drivers Lic. info across what I believe was a non-secure connection. I was supposed to see a picture of myself, which the post stated was available to anyone who could provide the info. Instead I saw a picture of a monkey. NOT EVEN FUNNY.

Discretion is the better part of valor.

My opinion. And yes I could see through the post.

i'm kinda glad to see this thread. i thought it was just me he was deleting and moving posts on, with no real reason.

glad to know i can let the paranoia drop.

I hear the onset of cabin fever may cause such tomfoolery.

Rick, before you go gettin' all high and mighty on me, that website DID NOT ask for your addresses or your drivers license....sheesh!

And Fordy, I'm going to continue to stop threads that are political or religious in nature and those that have nothing to do with homesteading...so get use to it. If you want people's opinions on these "non-homesteading" topics take your comments and questions to General Chat. And yes, I know there are a bunch of wackos at General Chat who will respond to your threads. That is the very reason why I believe that those questions don't belong here. Because sooner or later, this forum will become like General Chat if we continue with a bunch of those "non-homesteading" threads here.


Take a chill pill, guys.....

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This is the government the Founding Fathers warned us about.....

Cabin

The most important question you should answer is: Did your post belong on the Homestading questions or Chat section. Please justify why it belongs on the questions board.

I am 90% sure that site DID ask for information as I stated. With all due respect, at this point it is my memory vs yours. I am the one who felt compromised, you are the one who was laughing. Do you recall the web address, or the approximate date you posted it?

Edited to include:

I must eat crow! I found your post, and you are right. The site did convince me to input my full name and city, state. These are still things I prefer not to post on the net but I CHOSE to give them that information. My appologies Cabin.

I am contributing to a debate here, not getting high and mighty. I appreciate your dry sense of humor.

You are a well respected, long time contributor here, and I hold you to the same high standard that I hold myself.

Be Well,

Rick

Hey Rick,
I believe that this post does belong on the Homesteading Topics forum. I was trying to draw an analogy...thru a parody....between septic tank pumping and oil changing. Some here believe that all one has to do is add an additive to thier septic tank to keep the system working forever. Others are proud that they have not pumped their tanks for decades. I am convinced that one can easily determine if and when to have the tank pumped by measuring the sludge and scum depths in the tank.

It was my belief that some of the same people who never inspect their septic tank, never have it pumped, and are additive proponents would think it was insane if I never checked the oil level in my truck, never changed its oil, and was seeking info on additives as a substitute for changing oil.

Maybe I'm the only one who see's the irony in this. Maybe it wasn't a very good parody. But septic system maintenance and vehicle maintenance are both homesteading topics (IMHO) that do not belong in General Chat. Consequently, to answer your question, I believe my post belongs in Homesteading Topics.


I'm not saying that I'm a good teacher, but many great teachers throughout the ages have used parody as a teaching tool. I'll continue to use parody occassionally in the future....hopefully, I'll be more successful at it then.

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This is the government the Founding Fathers warned us about.....

Cabin

I understand your point, but I missed the septic tank discussion.

Perhaps linking the related post after your parody would be in order.

BTW- what did you (or anyone else reading) think of the 93K, 10 year old Buick story that came out of your parody??

Regards...

That one kinda flew right over my head. Course I normally have both checked.

By the way, don't put any lutefisk in your septic tank, it will just get up and run away forever. Not high and dry, but stinky and wet.

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Mess with me? I may let karma take care of it. Mess with my family? I become Karma.

Dang it, Mr. Fever!

I wish I would have caught the parody thing earlier.

Now the motor oil in my truck smells like Guinness!

Correct me if I’m wrong, (and I’m sure everyone will) But,

I was willing to go along this being a parody until you explained yourself. I’m not sure it’s a parody…perhaps an analogy?????

adding sand or gravel to your septic tank in sufficient amounts will prevent the buildup of scum or sludge, too. But perhaps that's obvious.