OD, any updates

 

Report:

After 3 tanks of running Lucas UCL at 4oz per fill (about 11 gallons), there has been no gain in fuel economy. There has also been no decrease in tailpipe soot. This wasn't a very scientific test, but I did use a calculator

First fill-up: I didn't measure MPG, and my pipes were already dirty.

Second fill-up: I measured MPG and got 15.9, which has been my average since I purchased the car in July of '07 (excluding the first few weeks when I got 12.5 MPG).

Third fill-up: I got 15.4 MPG. Also, I cleaned the tips just a few days ago with Nevr-Dull and they are already almost black again.

The engine seems to run smoother at all RPM's, but it could be the weather. I live near Washington DC and it's been around 70 with low humidity lately. It could also be placebo.

BTW> I've noticed my car doesn't cause the gas pump to shut off when it's full. So every damn time I fill up, it overflows. Just thought I'd mention it.

I'm going to keep recording my results until I'm done this bottle of UCL. Then I'm going to switch over to Idemitsu when it gets (hopefully) delivered this month.


EDIT: I drive the same route everyday and have not changed my driving habits (mostly 'aggressive').

 

get back to us when you use the idemitsu.. the rules change i bet..

beers

 

For the gas tank overflowing, that's more a function of the filler nozzle than your car. As long as you insert it all the way it should stop in time... If you look under the filler nozzle, there is a little hole near the tip... This is what tells the pump that it's time to stop pumping... ie, when the gas level reaches that hole air stops flowing through it and the pump shuts off... I don't see how anything with your car could cause the pump to overflow.

swoope, or others using Idemitsu... It has been mentioned that it may not be good on cats. How many people using Idemitsu also still have the cat on the car? Any issues?

 

104,000 miles on the original CAT. Last 34,000 on Idemitsu 4oz/tank CAT still works.

 

Shnps- I've been to many different gas stations, used many different nozzles and always check to see that it's fully inserted (hehe hehe). No matter what, if the handle is fully depressed for max fuel flow, the tank overflows. There's a "burp", then gas spills out. The only way I can correct for this is to slow the pump down when it gets near full.

Expo- That's awesome. Good news.

Swoope- I hope so. I'm looking forward to trying it out.

 

Ok, forget the thing about the clicking, absolutely unrelated to the premix - my spark plug wire for the trailing rear was loose and I guess it was arcing and creating the clicking noise (that or the coil was complaining to me). In any case, attaching it firmly solved all the issues.

Also, I am on my second tank of no premix. The first was a mix of city/highway so not a very good indicator, but the second was all highway and is back to my "pre-premix" mileage. Haven't filled up yet so don't have the exact number, but the light just went on at 220 miles which for me means about 19mpg...

 

Alright all you pre-mix guys I got a question for ya. how about Lucas semi-synthetic TCW3?.. It meets all ISO GD and JASO FC standards. Any of you guys have any experience with this stuff. It says it is smokeless and low ash.

 

Is there a way to stop the OMP from working without getting a cell & make it so you can restart it again easily ?
Want to turn if off and run straight premix .

 

Get a spare OPM, hook the harness up and tie it out of the way.

 

thanks for that . so there is no monitoring of the oil itself ?

 

Nope. I wish there were - that would give us a data point to look at.
The PCM just assumes that the OMP is doing what it should based on feedback from the stepper motor.

 

Was doing some tests of fan performance on the track(in another thread) and seeing as I had so much data I had a look at acceleration through the gears with fan on and off just for fun . This showed me nothing but what I did notice was a phenomenon that could be tied in with premix.

Previous tests I have done showed better performance at lower temps (86degC vs 96degC) . This latest test totally reversed that result - I actually got better performance (very marginally) at 96deg C .
My conclusion is that premix at high concentrations solves the problem of poor performance at higher temps .
My theory is that at higher temps the rotary housings expand more than the rotors allowing a little blowby . With premix the additional lubrication allows the apex seals to do a better job of moving out to conform to the combustion chamber shape .....

 

Thermal expansion in the motor decreases clearances.
As the housings expand, they expand in and out, as do the rotors.
The premix is just increasing sealing in temp rages where the injected oil is insufficient.

 

oh well - wrong again . anyway an interesting result all the same

 

I was skeptical, but I'm sold on premix. My first engine only lasted 23,000 mi. before I experienced severe power loss during hot weather. Though I have the new reflash which is supposed to prevent the seal wear that ruined my first engine by increasing oil injection, I'm thinking of using premix during the summer months.

My question: I am breaking-in my just installed reman engine - should I use premix during break-in or wait till I have 1,000 miles on it?

 

Use it right from the start.

There is no "breaking-in". There should be no metal-to-metal contact ever, even on a new motor.
The only thing that occurs in a new motor is a bit of thermal restructuring that my lead to metal contact, but no lubrication in the world is going to stop interference.

 

Two arguments I have heard against the use of TCW3:

- the spec allows too many heavy metals (since these oils are intended for use on boats, ie catless)

- the oil is meant to be biodegradable; it can often be found biodegrading in a big lump on the bottom of your fuel tank

Not sure if there's any truth to these, but it dissuaded me from trying TCW3 rated oil...

 

any thoughts on mixing these to items?

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/api.aspx

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atp.aspx

 

Still no Idemitsu in stock, at least at Mazdatrix.

 

Idemitsu now says out of stock until Nov. 07 before that was Oct 07 go figure in NOV it will be out of stock until Dec 07 ect...........

 

that is good to hear. I have used amsoil products for a while now and always felt they where good products but not really a chemist type to research everything. I have premixed saber pro and lucas UCL for 2 32 oz bottles and didn't have any bad effects but ran out of lucas and stopped premixing for the time being

 

Good thing I stocked up!

 

maybe you should start a black market for the stuff ...

 

I can still get it. I have a source!