Synthetic OR Conventional OIL in OLD Diesel Engines ?
What should be used for Best Engine LIFE / Performance / Fuel Economy
some good & ugly FACTS:
CONVENTIONAL: Temperature resistance upto 150 C
Conventional / Mineral oils are based on petroleum oil which is refined from crude oil. They have chemically weak properties and deteriorate soon during normal engine operation.
But, they don't eat engine seals,gasket & other related similar objects.
Conventional oil is slightly more viscous than synthetic, which makes it more effective in protecting an engine.
But are not powerful/flexible to handle extreme HOT or COLD temperatures.
& contains contaminants, which may build-up sludge during extreme HOT temperatures.
SYNTHETIC: Temperature resistance upto 250 C
History: (Synthetic motor oil is made through a chemical process that was discovered in Germany during World War II when crude oil was limited.)
Synthetic oil is an artificially produced lubricant. It performs better at extreme temperatures and produces longer engine life.
Synthetic oils are refined and produced from stronger chemicals that can keep their properties for longer during normal and severe engine operation, hence long drain intervals compared to mineral/conventional oils.
But due to large scale of chemicals, they eat up engine seals, gasket, start small leaks & can't switch back to conventional oil once used.
However, Synthetic oil doesn't lose its ability to flow well in cold weather, so it is preferred for cars driven in cold climates.
When synthetic motor oil is used over time, it can dissolve sludge and deposits in a vehicle's engine that have been left behind by conventional motor oil.
Synthetic oil is Thinner than conventional/mineral based oil, decreasing the oil pressure in the engine, but flowing more easily/rapidly on the engine startup.