Mixing oil

[FunInTheSun]

<snip>
Talking about Oil - I've always wandered in my 30 years of Aircraft Maintenance as to why, aviation oil still comes in the old-school cans, and why it was never switched over to the plastic bottles like automotive oil did - the only thing I can come up with is the plastic locking ring-falling into the scupper or moisture protection (cans have better seal)-IDK. I've asked over the years, but nobody knows???

It's just one of those things in life that make you go-Hmmm

Maybe because nobody's tempted to refill the cans. With something other than what's on the label...

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[FunInTheSun]

Totally. I only mix oils that are rated for the application when the need arises. Though in a pinch, I'll use a quart of at least automotive grade engine oil.


I barely attended highschool and I pull inventory for wire harnesses for a living. I'm far less knowledgeable than you in this case.

I agree with you here. Key word "... in a pinch ..."
I'd put SAE30 lawnmower oil in there if it was a case of otherwise running it 3 quarts low.
Crap oil is better than no oil.

But if I did that, I'd change it completely ASAP.

 

[RedDakooter05]

I agree with you here. Key word "... in a pinch ..."
I'd put SAE30 lawnmower oil in there if it was a case of otherwise running it 3 quarts low.
Crap oil is better than no oil.

But if I did that, I'd change it completely ASAP.

Heh, I had to put automotive grade oil in a lawn mower once because I realized after I drained it, I didn't have lawnmower spec oil.

Poured in 5w30 dyno oil. 5 minutes into the grass cut she blew up.


Nothing related to the topic but did bring up that random memory.

 

[JasonTremor]

As a former Subaru owner that had one of the engines that was an oil-aholic, you get over the brand/viscosity thing and just pour another quart of oil in cause it all burns the same.

 

[FunInTheSun]

Heh, I had to put automotive grade oil in a lawn mower once because I realized after I drained it, I didn't have lawnmower spec oil.

Poured in 5w30 dyno oil. 5 minutes into the grass cut she blew up.


Nothing related to the topic but did bring up that random memory.

Hah! I blew up my dad's lawnmower once. I changed the oil for him.
But I forgot to put the new oil in.
F---in' thing ran for 30 minutes before it threw a rod. Wow.

Yes I fixed it. But I broke the flywheel getting it off without a puller.
Bought a new flywheel, new piston, rings, and rod / bearings. Polished the rod journal on the crank and put it back together. Worked like a champ. Embarassing, though. The flywheel cost more than all the other parts put together. I eventually did learn to use tools... Haha.

"The expert is the guy who's already made all the mistakes."

 

[Jhbryaniv]

As a former Subaru owner that had one of the engines that was an oil-aholic, you get over the brand/viscosity thing and just pour another quart of oil in cause it all burns the same.

LOL my subi is currently a self changing oil machine . . .

gotta buy another couple quarts to get me through till my truck gets here... hopefully before mid-december.

 

[9zero1790]

i was always taught growing up that you could mix brands but not weights or blends. stone age days lol lots been changed in oil since i was a kid. but in a situation like you described, out on the road and engine is low on oil - i would for sure add the oil i had on hand as a better option than not having enough oil. is it ideal, no. but mixed brand same weight oil to get you to a repair place or safe spot to find the issue should be fine. it may make issues at some point but i would guess it would be many thousands of miles in the future which is still better than being stranded or driving without enough oil which will for sure make major problems lol.

 

[Muddy Fenders]

Talking about Oil - I've always wandered in my 30 years of Aircraft Maintenance as to why, aviation oil still comes in the old-school cans, and why it was never switched over to the plastic bottles like automotive oil did - the only thing I can come up with is the plastic locking ring-falling into the scupper or moisture protection (cans have better seal)-IDK. I've asked over the years, but nobody knows???

This comes up on Reddit and makes sense.
I didn't read the other 400+ comments so I don't know what else was added.

 

[airline tech]

Cool-Thanks, yes if we use say 1/2 can-it either gets dumped into the service bowsers for (IDG's) or dumped into the used oil barrel if they are already topped off (unless you are working in the rain) then it goes straight to the used oil barrel.
As far as newer generations of the 737, yes, the actual temp indication is gone, if low press is sensed it trips on the (Drive) light on the overhead.

 

[Dgc333]

Mixing oil is a bad idea. Just because they meet the same specs, does not mean they are compatible. The base stocks are compatible, but the additive packages may react in unexpected ways. You might get lucky. Or you might not.

More detail: I worked in an FAA Repair Station servicing Engine Accessories for commerci22-09287-80278al passenger jets.

That is not true. All API certified automotive motor oils are required to be compatible with each other. They are also required to be backwards compatible, that is, you can put API SP oil which is the current standard into an older vehicles that required SM. You can even mix motor oils of different viscosities and have no compatibility issues, just keep in mind that the oil is going to have hybrid viscosity.

Diesel engine oils are another thing. Some have gasoline engine service ratings (SM, SN, SP) which would be acceptable but others do not. Not a good idea to mix those with gasoline engine oil since there is no requirement for them to be compatible but like diesel oils of different brands can be mixed.

 

[Cmar]

Heh, I had to put automotive grade oil in a lawn mower once because I realized after I drained it, I didn't have lawnmower spec oil.

Poured in 5w30 dyno oil. 5 minutes into the grass cut she blew up.


Nothing related to the topic but did bring up that random memory.

That surprises me. I've always used 15W-40 HD diesel engine oil in my ride on's - cause that's mostly what I use in my cars, and never lost a Briggs yet. The current one is coming up for 10 years old now and that's all it's ever known. Sounds like you were unlucky.

 

[Friday yet?]

Just stop using scamsoil period.

THIS!!!!

 

[TICKLE ZOMBIE]

Then it’s Royal Purple next time!

THIS!!!!

 

[Dgc333]

Heh, I had to put automotive grade oil in a lawn mower once because I realized after I drained it, I didn't have lawnmower spec oil.

Poured in 5w30 dyno oil. 5 minutes into the grass cut she blew up.


Nothing related to the topic but did bring up that random memory.

Never heard of lawn mower spec oil. Briggs and Stratton recommends different weights for different temps but specifies automotive API SF or higher. Over the past 50 years my lawn equipment has gotten what ever I had laying around and have never had an internal engine failure.

 

[Muddy Fenders]

My lawnmowers are the same.
I do believe I squirted some leftover outboard motor gear oil into one of my mowers to top it off.
Hasn't quit yet, and havent needed to add oil again (?) and we are going on 3 years.

^ and let this be a PSA...even though I have done something as asinine as putting gear oil into a lawnmower engine and haven't seen a problem arise yet, its no different than other home mechanic atrocities that work "just fine". Somewhere and somehow, its not going to be pixie dust and rainbows for everyone. So take my oil mixing experience for what it is.

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