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Its Time to Change the Oil

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by AEHaas, Feb 24, 2008.

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  1. AEHaas

    AEHaas Formula 3

    May 9, 2003
    1,465
    Osprey, Florida
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    Ali E. Haas
    #1 AEHaas, Feb 24, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Plus or minus, I change all the fluids based on the yearly need - in March. I do the brakes, power steering fluid, hydraulic fluid and any others every March. This is when I usually do the most thorough clean and wax job, get all the door jambs and under the car panels, the suspension parts and the like.

    The add on jobs get done too as the weather is somewhat cooler. For example, the Enzo spark plugs got changed yesterday. The old ones looked like new but were in for 5 years. The Murcielago is next on the blocks for plug and fluid changes. Both cars get vegetable oil in the engines.

    The dry sump plug on the Enzo requires a 22 mm Allen head socket of 3/4 drive - now that's a plug. Visible on this picture is (on the right picture side, top to bottom) the drain plug, corrugated 2 inch oil feed line to the 3 chamber oil pump and in front of that the water pump.

    Note the miniscule flywheel / clutch for mass reduction.

    aehaas
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  2. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
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    Tim Keseluk
    #2 2NA, Feb 24, 2008
    Clean! Doesn't look like it's ever been outside. LOL
     
  3. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    Dec 7, 2003
    16,467
    Winston Salem, NC
    #3 Ricambi America, Feb 24, 2008
    Yes, it's the same one on the 430 -- and indeed a hulking chuck of plug! Just finding a wrench that big is sometimes a bigger PITA than the whole oil change process, I'd guess.

    Are you replacing the screen filter too? If so, a couple of pictures would be great... I'm curious what they look like in an Enzo after being run through with (I assume) Helix for a few thousand miles.
     
  4. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary Owner

    Oct 23, 2002
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    Jim Glickenhaus
    #4 Napolis, Feb 24, 2008
    Ali doesn't use Helix so far as I know. We changed P 4/5's Helix after 4K hard miles. It looked new and we hadn't burned even a quart.
     
  5. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
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    Pap
    #5 PAP 348, Feb 24, 2008


    Cool pic. Thanks for sharing Ali. :):)
     
  6. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
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    Franklin E. Parker
    #6 parkerfe, Feb 24, 2008
    I changed the oil and filters in my BB512i a few weeks back and used Vavoline VR1 20w50 . I plan to change the tranaxle oil using Royal Purple, the coolant using BMW Coolant and the brake fluid using ATE SuperBlue in the next few weeks or so.
     
  7. Gary48

    Gary48 Guest

    Dec 30, 2003
    940
    #7 Gary48, Feb 24, 2008
    Ali, what type of vegetable oil are you refering to?
     
  8. AEHaas

    AEHaas Formula 3

    May 9, 2003
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    Ali E. Haas
    #8 AEHaas, Feb 24, 2008
    I was running 0W30 Castrol Syntec European Formula in the Enzo. Now it is Renewable Lubricants Incorporated, RLI, 0W30. It is a vegetable oil based lubricant. It is very biodegradable. I believe it to be a superior performing motor oil. I am studying this oil in several cars now.

    And yes, that socket was not easy to get.

    aehaas
     
  9. Gary48

    Gary48 Guest

    Dec 30, 2003
    940
    #9 Gary48, Feb 25, 2008
    Thats very interesting and I would like to know more. Is it a blend of different veg. oils ( i.e.) castor, peanut, soy, grapeseed? Some of these can be very good, and with new revelations on additive pkgs. some could even outperform some synthetics.
     
  10. AEHaas

    AEHaas Formula 3

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    Ali E. Haas
    #10 AEHaas, Feb 25, 2008
  11. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
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    Steve W.
    #11 FasterIsBetter, Feb 25, 2008
    This sounds interesting. My only question is whether it is approved by auto manufacturers as meeting their specified requirements for lubricants. If someone's car is under warranty and uses bio-lube, and there is a component failure, a manufacturer could say that you voided your warranty by not using specified lubricants, especially if it is a wear-related failure. Unless the stuff has those approvals, I'd be reluctant to use it in a car that's still under warranty. Anything out of warranty, could be worth trying. But I think I'll wait for your testing to be completed and your formal report back on how the stuff performs and holds up.
     
  12. AEHaas

    AEHaas Formula 3

    May 9, 2003
    1,465
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    Ali E. Haas
    #12 AEHaas, Feb 25, 2008
    "Bio-Synthetic Super High Performance Motor Oil SAE 0W20 is a biobased motor oil that is designed to provide
    optimum performance in high output gasoline engines in passenger cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, and light trucks
    requiring API SM, SL, and SJ.
    HIGH PERFORMANCE BENEFITS OF STABILIZED HOBS FORMULATIONS:
    • Excellent oxidation stability • Hydrolysis protection
    • Superior viscosity stability • Superior low volatility performance
    • Excellent mechanical shear stability • Superior low foam tendency
    • Superior extreme pressure performance • Tested by the USDA as Biobased
    • Improved biodegradability over mineral oil formulas
    This biobased lubricant is formulated to exceed the Original Equipment Manufactures (OEM) requirements for new
    vehicles, but vehicles with higher mileage and equipment with high hours need a different lubricant that improves
    performance in these out of warranty machines. As the engine wears the lubrication film needs to be improved and
    the additive technology should also be increased to prevent wear and condition the seals for longer life. Unlike
    conventional motor oils, this biobased formula has special additives and additional booster additives that help improve
    engine life. (Lubricity Enhanced)"

    There is a ton of information on their web site. I think you would be safe.
     
  13. bowbells

    bowbells Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2008
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    Arthur Dent
    #13 bowbells, Feb 25, 2008
    Well, Castrol R was always a good oil back in the day! Amazing how things go full circle.....
     
  14. ferrarioldman

    ferrarioldman Formula 3
    Professional Ferrari Technician Silver Subscribed

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    Tom Jones
    #14 ferrarioldman, Feb 25, 2008
    And the smell was so sweet....
     
  15. Gary48

    Gary48 Guest

    Dec 30, 2003
    940
    #15 Gary48, Feb 25, 2008
    Yes it was and it was comprised of mostly pure castor oil, all vegetable, probably still one of the most slick substances available today, primarily composed of triglycerides and capable of the most superior protection at very high temps available today, but had drawbacks like varnish formation on all heated parts. Used exclusively in early Indy cars and other racing venues. Now some are formulating this wonder substance with polyolesters and additive packages that contain certain detergents that overcome the varnish issue. Certainly what was old is new again and as well this is a new era with a new set of thought process and vegetable oils with a little help are the future.
     
  16. bowbells

    bowbells Formula Junior

    Jan 14, 2008
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    Arthur Dent
    #16 bowbells, Feb 26, 2008
    Absolutely! I still put a small amount of castor oil in the race fuel for old F1 cars, it smells like "the good old days" and lubricates the Lucas injection pump. most kart shops stock castor oils in some form.

    B.
     

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