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What are our customers saying about AMSOIL?
Glen Cove, NY -- Ed Nasalgia, a 40-year motorcycle enthusiast, bought his Honda Goodwing new in 1983. At 600 miles he installed AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-40 Motor Oil. Ed now uses AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil.
Ed's motorcycle shows 144,000 miles on the odometer, and Ed says, "I never have to add oil to it. Even after putting 18,000 miles on it last summer, the oil level was still in the safe zone this spring. The engine has never been taken apart for any work and it still runs extra smooth and feels very powerful."
Eugene, OR -- Rolfe Argentino writes, "Our 23 year old 7 hp Kohler Troy Built tractor would not start because of winter neglect. I didn't even take it apart. I just kept choking it and it wouldn't run. Finally, I drained the gas, applied AMSOIL Power Foam to the carburetor and added Octane Boost and Performance Improver to the fuel and now it runs perfectly."
Rolfe also writes, "My son owns a 1972 Plymouth Gold Duster with 54,386 original miles It is a slant six 225, 3-speed. At first, it was hard to start, ran sluggishly, wouldn't idle and had poor mileage and performance.
I flushed it with AMSOIL Engine Flush, installed a new oil filter and AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-40 Motor Oil. I used Power Foam in the carburetor and Performance Improver and Octane Boost in the fuel. The Duster now idles better, accelerates faster and generally runs smoother. The mileage has improved by 2 mpg, too."
After using AMSOIL synthetic lubricants for over 20 years, Gene Heikkola from Idaho says he's been consistently pleased with the oil's lubrication performance and the validity of the one-year/25,000-mile oil changes. AMSOIL, lubricants impressed Heikkola from the very beginning,
In 1978, Heikkola purchased a new Pontiac and converted the oil to AMSOIL 10W-40 after 12,000 miles. When he neared the 80,000-mile mark five years later, Heikkola said the engine began making a noise. Heikkola thought the problem was with the valve train. "I had plenty of experience rebuilding engines and I thought I would see what the condition of the engine was. I pulled the cylinder heads and got a real surprise." said Heikkola. "Absolutely no ridge in the cylinder walls, and the hone marks from the original assembly were still visible!"
He then took the heads to a machine shop and requested a valve job. "The machinist called me the very next day and said the heads were ready," said Heikkola. "When I got there, he asked me how many miles I had on the engine, and when I told him, he said the heads looked better than engines he had seen with less than 30,000 miles on them. He told me the secret was the valve guides. If the guides don't wear, the valves are always centered and the seats stay good." The machinist told Heikkola to put the engine back together with its original parts. "He said, 'If I were you, I'd put another 100,000 miles on it,'" said Heikkola.
Heikkola did what he was told, but the noise persisted. "I used my long, heavy screwdriver as a stethoscope to listen to the valves, but they just purred away." Heikkola continued to search for the cause of the noise and finally found the source--the fuel pump. "A sixteen dollar investment in a new fuel pump cured the noise and the car went on to 208,000 miles before it was totalled in an accident in 1996."
That's not the end of this story or the engine. Heikkola says the engine lives on. "I've always wanted to build a '32 Ford 3-window coupe street rod and actually ordered a 305 Chevy small-block. Instead, I ended up using the engine from my '78 Pontiac. So, the junk man may have the car, but I've still got the motor!"
What is Hot in California?
The average person might not seek the most extreme situations in which to test his/her vehicle, but Scott Dalgleish wanted to see just how good AMSOIL synthetic lubricants really are. Dalgleish published "What is Hot? Drive Line Temperature Lubricant Analysis" in the Spring 1998 The Turbo Diesel Register, in which he described the results of his ongoing 12,000-mile, five month gearbox and differential temperature study.
Using his 1995 2500 Dodge 4X4 with a Cummins diesel engine, Dalgleish filled his gearbox with AMSOIL Synthetic 80W-90 Gear Lube and the differentials with AMSOIL Synthetic 75W-90 Gear. He installed temperature sensors and drove the truck in as many different applications as he could. He drove unloaded and towing his Airstream. When fully-loaded, the gross vehicle weight was just over 15,000 lbs.
What Dalgleish discovered was that operating temperatures with AMSOIL synthetic lubricants remained impressively low. "On the solo runs around town and on the freeway," wrote Dalgleish, "I was never able to get either temperature above 115 deg F. If I pushed hard on the freeway up a seven or eight percent grade at 70 or 75 mph, bucking head winds and outside temperatures around 100 deg. F, I could get the NV4500 transmission only to 135 deg. F, and the Dana 70 rear differential never passed 120 deg. F.
"I took several trips hooked up to the trailer and loaded with gear. I sought the most severe conditions I could find, like the seven to eight percent grade on Highway 395 headed to Deadman Summit out of Bishop with the outside air temperature at 102 deg. F. I left the transmission in fifth gear and pulled the grade at 65mph. I was never able to get the NV4500 transmission to hit the 190 deg. F mark. The Dana 70 rear differential never exceeded 180 deg. F. Numerous other trips included Highway 50 to Carson City and Highway 5 traveling in both directions over the 'Grapevine" netted the same results." [AMSOIL Technical Services reports these temperatures are 20 deg. to 50 deg. F cooler than temperatures normally found in comparable units under comparable conditions.]
AMSOIL lubricants' low temperature qualities have not gone unnoticed. Dalgleish said he spoke to Rich Johnson at Gear Vendors, and was told that Gear Vendors was revising its owners' manuals to specify that synthetics are preferred as post-break lubricants for Gear Vendor products.
When three-quarter midget race car driver Russ Bailey finished fifth in a race at Wall Stadium in Belmar, New Jersey, he didn't realize he was lucky to have finished the race at all.
Midget co-owner Ed Malik says a main seal gave way in the clutch during the race. "The fluid drained from the car as Russ raced on," said Malik. "He was not aware that all of the AMSOIL Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid had emptied."
After the race, the team took the clutch apart finding a burnt film on the walls. "We started to clean the clutch, expecting it to be beyond repair, but the walls became clean very easily," said Malik. "We replace the main seal and still use the clutch in racing today. The AMSOIL Synthetic Transmission Fluid protected the walls of my clutch."
Malik says the race team initially installed AMSOIL Automatic Transmission Fluid because of its performance in extreme heat. "Testing with a pyrometer, we found the clutch reaches over 211 deg. F. We tried other types of synthetic oils and transmission fluids, but they couldn't hold up to the severe conditions. Only AMSOIL could withstand the temperatures in the clutch.
Bob Parret of Wrangell, Alaska, has been a loyal AMSOIL customer for 20 years. "Since 1979, I've used AMSOIL motor oil in every used auto regardless of mileage. AMSOIL will not cure a bad engine, but it will save a sound engine and keep it going beyond your wildest expectations."
Parret wasn't always a fan. It took some convincing by a persistent AMSOIL Dealer. "Back in 1978, I had occasion to purchase a well-used 1973 Fiat 128 two-door sedan," said Parret. "It was an embarrassment to me. Every time I'd let off on the throttle or decelerate going down a grade, the engine would literally blow smoke rings. It used one quart of Pennzoil 10-40 motor oil every 700 miles. A State of Alaska aircraft mechanic, who is also an AMSOIL Dealer, rode to work with me and told me to try AMSOIL motor oil. I said I wasn't interested in anything synthetic. End of question.
Fortunately, the AMSOIL Dealer didn't give up that easily. "A few days later, here comes that mechanic to my house," said Parret. "He asked if I'd liketo see the dipstick in his 1962 V/6 GMC pickup with well in excess of 200,000 miles." Parret agreed. He pulled the dipstick out and rubbed the oil between his fingers. "Hey -- nice and slick," said Parret. Then the aircraft mechanic told Parret to pull the Fiat's dipstick and check the oil the same way. "My oil, which was virtually running through the engine at a quart per 700 miles, felt almost abrasive by comparison."
Parret changed the oil to AMSOIL Synthetic 10W-40 Motor Oil after using AMSOIL Engine Flush. "That little Fiat with AMSOIL Motor Oil in it began to decrease smoking after maybe a week of driving -- and shortly began going 1,700 miles per quart!" Parret even got a bit more daring and decided to go 25,000 miles, changing only the oil filter. "After 25,000 miles, the oil felt slick as ever. I drove that little Fiat over 50,000 miles without changing the oil, just the filter!"
"I was so impressed with AMSOIL motor oil that I put the same 10W-40 Synthetic Oil in my 1946 Stinson Voyager Aircraft Engine. It worked beautifully -- but that's another story."
Saskatchewan -- Dr. B.M Donbrook is no stranger to cold weather. "Two or three years ago we had an extremely cold winter. The temperatures were below -30 deg. C for weeks at a time, and several times the thermometer dipped below -40 deg. C for a few days." Luckily, Donbrook had AMSOIL in his engine. "My 1991 Dodge Caravan Grand LE with a 3.3L motor sat outside for the duration. I drove to work every day without fail."
Donbrook says he usually unplugs the block heater in the engine during the spring because the summer heat is hard on the insulation of the block heater cord. That particular spring, Donbrook got quite a surprise. "I went to unplug the block heater cord and discovered that it was still nicely wound and tied up in the engine compartment from the previous year. In fact, I had never had my van plugged in all winter! I credit the AMSOIL I used for the fact that it started without fail the entire winter."
Texas -- Ken Morehead bought a 1995 Dodge three quarter ton pickup recently with 75,000 miles on it. Morehead says it was in relately good shape. "The previous owner used Rotella T in the engine and drained it in accordance with the owner's manual. I ran the truck for about two thousand miles. The best mileage was 18.5 miles per gallon with highway driving.
Morehead then converted the truck over to AMSOIL. "I used AMSOIL Series 3000 Synthetic 5W-30 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil in the engine, AMSOIL Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid in the transmission and power steering system, AMSOIL Series 2000 Synthetic Gear Lube in the rear axle and an AMSOIL Reusable Foam Air Filter." With AMSOIL, Morehead upped his mileage to 20 mpg on the highway and has reached as much as 21.2 mpg.
"What a difference AMSOIL made. I also notice that the engine runs quieter and the transmission shifts much smoother."
Morehead says the former owner may not have given up the truck if he had been using AMSOIL. "The previous owner traded the truck because he had problems three different times with the transmission cooler lines blowing off. A Dodge mechanic told me they had a problem with some of their transmission lines coming apart due to the plastic retainer getting too hot and releasing the line from the fitting. Had he used AMSOIL, he wouldn't have had this problem."
New York -- Doug DeCarlo has owned his 1975 17-foot M.F.G. fiberglass deep V bottom boat for fourteen years. The boat is powered by a 1986 110 h.p. Evinrude outboard motor. "I know what she can do and cannot do on all types of water and wind conditions." However, DeCarlo did not know what the boat could do after using AMSOIL Series 2000 2-Cycle Racing Oil.
"On November 5, I used the new AMSOIL 2-Cycle Racing Oil for the first time. The wind condition was calm and the water was smooth like glass. Prior to this day my boat always needed a good chop (wave condition) to reach top speed. During my first run coming into Little Neck Bay in Queens, N.Y., the speed was 44.5 mph at 5,000 rpm. Second run, the top speed was 45.5 mph at 5,200 rpm fully trim. I had the same speed and rpm for the third and fourth runs. That's four mph faster and 400 rpm more on flat water -- that is amazing".
DeCarlo says the performance that day was better than he could have ever imagined. "This motor has not seen 5,000 rpm, let alone 5,200 rpm in years."
"I am still completely amazed. Only one word comes to mind that describes AMSOIL's new 2-cycle racing oil -- awesome."
"I started using AMSOIL in 1981 in a Ag-Chem crop sprayer with a Cummins V-378 diesel engine. Early in 1993, I traded this unit for a larger and more up to date model. The first time the company's field service men came for the regular service check, they asked me what kind of oil I had been using in the machine that I traded in. They told me that with over 4500 hours on the engine in extremely dirty operating conditions, they thought the engine would surly need a major overhaul.
"They said when they opened the engine, they could hardly believe how clean it was and how little wear it had. Some of the engine parts that would normally have needed replacement were still within manufacturer's tolerances, and it was not necessary to replace them.
"I have two crop sprayer units now and change the oil in them before the beginning of the season and run the oil the entire season. I have done that ever since that first season, and have had no lubrication related mechanical problems with any of our equipment."
H.S., Mendon, Michigan
"Home Heating Fuel Extender works! Mom's furnace, 1961 oil-fired model, never worked right. Almost all the air-conditioning/heating companies in the area fiddled with it . . . and the thing still ate fuel and seemed to be a soot factory. In fact, in 1993 it "burped" sending a cloud of soot throughtout her tri-level. Everything, carpets, drapes and upholstery had to be changed and all walls repainted.
"In February, 1997, mom tried a bottle of Home Heating Fuel Extender. She called me and said the furnace was working well, giving lots of heat without running all night.
"When I visited, I opened the fire door to see if the usual two inch thick coating of soot was still there. Nope! The burner and fire chamber were clean, and that was with half a bottle!"
D. B., Fruitland Park, Florida
"I have a 1993 Chevrolet S10 with a 2.8 liter V6 engine. I am a trim carpenter, so my little truck carries a lot of weight. After putting AMSOIL Series 2000 Synthetic 0W-30 Motor Oil, a Full-Flow Oil Filter and TS Air Filter in the engine, I found that I did not have to downshift my truck from overdrive to fourth gear to get up the hills around Columbia, South Carolina. . . . Before I put the oil in my truck, I did not believe that it would allow my truck to do that. With this product, you get exactly what you pay for, and then some."
J.B., Columbia, South Carolina
"The first experience we had with AMSOIL was in 1989. We got five gallons of the 15W-40 Marine Oil and tried it in our John Deere 4250 diesel tractor.
"[Our AMSOIL Dealer] suggested that we take a sample of the [used] petroleum oil and send it in for an oil analysis to see what the wear factor and condition of the oil was. Do the same with the AMSOIL after putting as many or more hours on it, and then compare the two. Oil analysis convinced me that we were getting a significant reduction in engine wear. I also noticed the tractor seemed to run smoother and have more power.
"We have extended oil drains to twice what we were running with petroleum and have had no problems. We are very satisfied with AMSOIL and are glad to recommend AMSOIL products to anyone who wants to take good care of their equipment"
D.F., Scotts, Michican
"I removed the EGR valve [from my 1994 Ford Explorer] to find the inside quite clean but with a small amount of carbon on the shaft. A vacuum test showed the valve was stuck closed and not working. I sprayed Power Foam inside and let it soak for five minutes and checked it again. This time it opened and closed like new. This saved me the cost of a new valve, and who knows how much if I had to take the vehicle to the shop."
J.W., Geneva, Florida
I started using AMSOIL in 1975, and right off I could see the difference, so I put in in everything on the farm. I use AMSOIL 10W-40 Synthetic Oil in my six tractors - three Internationals and three John Deeres - and in my Massey combine. We use the AMSOIL 15W-40 in our two semis, a Mack and a Detroit engine, along with the related AMSOIL Synthetic Lubes in the transmissions and differentials. AMSOIL 75W-90 Gear Lube is in the irrigation gear heads and this has lowered the fluid temperatures considerably. We are 100% AMSOIL and plan on staying that way.
Warren Bowker, Richfield, KS
I started using AMSOIL in the spring of 1983. Using AMSOIL SAE 30 Diesel Oil and the AMSOIL By-Pass Oil Filter, we run 900 hours between oil changes on the 160 hp Case and 700 hours in our 120 hp Deutz Allis air-cooled. I use the AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Oil in my Massey 510 combine on a two-year oil change schedule. I am very pleased I was introduced to AMSOIL products.
Wallace Dunn, Richfield, KS
I heartily recommend AMSOIL 2-cycle Oil for outboard engines. I've been using AMSOIL for at least four years and my engine simply runs cleaner, cooler and lasts longer. Wehn it comes to cost I cannot afford to use anything but AMSOIL. Engine repairs and overhauls are just too expensive. I don't ever want to run without AMSOIL. And I fully endorse the 100:1 mix ratio as "fail safe".
Arnie Weidner, Racine, WI
I'm a logger by trade, but I also enter about 30 lumberjack competitions a year. By using AMSOIL 100:1 Synthetic Two-Cycle Oil, I have an advantage over my competitors. My saw puts out more power because it is burning a leaner mixture (less oil in the gas). When I was using petroleum oil in my work saws, I would tear them down every 6 to 9 months to clean away the varnish and sludge, and then install new cranksaft bearings, pistons and rings. With AMSOIL, the main crankshaft bearings are usually in such good condition that I clean them up and use them again in the same saw. AMSOIL is the cleanest-burning mixture I have used this side of alcohol. We used to have problems with our saws breaking down, but since we switched to AMSOIL 100:1 Two-Cycle Oil, we just don't have any at all.
Bill Cogar, WV
Wayne Owen owns a 1996 Sea Doo personal watercraft. "While towing behind a power boat, it is advised by the manufacturer to block the incoming water from entering the engine cooling system," said Owen. "This is done by installing a 'clamp' around the inlet water hose.
"Recently, I forgot to remove the clamp before operation. The watercraft had been ridden by a fifteen year old boy for about four and a half miles when it lost power and stalled. The engine was smoking and appeared as if it were going to erupt in flames. We also noticed how low the watercraft set in the water, which was unusual. Little did we know the exhaust outlet had been burnt off at the rear of the craft and was allowing water to enter the engine compartment.
"When we got to shore, I pulled the spark plugs to force the water from the cylinders," said Owen. "Believe it or not, when I reinstalled them, the motor started!
"When I returned home, I performed a compression test and found it to be exactly the same as a new one! The dealership where the watercraft was purchased claims that usually in these situations, the engines are 'history'! I am completely convinced the only thing that saved this engine from complete destruction was the fact I was using AMSOIL Synthetic 2-Cycle Injector Oil."
Wayne Owen - Utah
Fred Geske owns and operates Accurate Machining and is amazed at the cost reduction his company has noticed using AMSOIL lubricants.
"Taps usually have a life expectancy of 100 to 1,000 each," said Geske. "With AMSOIL Compressor Oil we exceeded this average at a minimum of 50 times! During 1994 and 1995 at Accurate Machining, we used this M8x1.25 tap to thread 50,800 parts. We used AMSOIL's Rotary compressor Oil as a cutting fluid on this tap, and at $9.37 per tap, we saved a minimum of $468.50.
"We have a second tap which has been threading parts since March 13, 1996 that is still in use at our machine shop every week!"
Fred Geske - Illinois
Steve Hart has been impressed with AMSOIL products from day one.
"My first experience with AMSOIL was in the mid-1970s", said Hart. "It was a typically hot Arizona summer day when a friend pulled in the driveway with his pick-up. He said 'Hi' then pulled out the truck's dip-stick and told me to feel the oil. His windows were closed so I knew he had had the air conditioning turned on. I told him he was crazy, but he insisted I feel the oil. He persisted until finally I ran the dip-stick through my fingers. It was hot, but nothing like I had expected! We then found some shade to chat and I've been an AMSOIL Dealer ever since!"
Steve Hart - Arizona
Reverend Kenneth A.O. Lindland of Grass Lake, Michigan, says although the body of his 1985 Pontiac Parisienne has seen better days, the engine is seemingly unstoppable. He credits AMSOIL.
Lindland's car hit the 300,000 mileage mark this year. "This is my fourth vehicle AMSOIL has helped get maximum value out of; all were way over 100,000 miles."
Lindland says what's even more amazing than the longevity of the engine is the gas mileage. "I have been surprised by getting exceptional mileage on straight trips, up to 24 miles per gallon. However, overall our average has been 20.9 miles per gallon."
He is also happy with the money he saves on oil changes. Keeping track of the last 45,000 miles, Lindland used 21 1/2 quarts of AMSOIL synthetic lubricants. "For this number of miles with conventional oil, changed at 3,000-mile intervals, it would take 75 quarts without any 'top off' oil."
"Our Pontiac has not been 'babied'. We use it hard. We expect to drive this car many more miles. It still does everything that I desire in an automobile."
After two winning seasons, Dennis V. Pobanz has firsthand knowledge of the superiority of AMSOIL lubricants.
Using AMSOIL 10W-40 Semi-Synthetic Motor Oil and Series 2000 Synthetic 20W-50 Racing Oil, Pobanz completed the 1997 and 1998 SCCA racing seasons without an oil change.
"Two season championships and two years on the same oil! Furthermore, the oil sample suggests the oil is fine for further use."
Pobanz says his car went through some trying conditions during those two years, At the beginning of the first season, Pobanz says "A two-day session included a totalof four and a half hours of racing conditions. My Pobanz-built Chevy 355 completed all sessions pegged at 260 degrees water temperature and oil temperature at 300 degrees.
Pobanz finished the first season by winning the SP (super production) division, having never changed the oil. During the second season, he continued with the same oil, changing only the oil filter.
He's had success with AMSOIL lubricants in the past. "I have 13 prior years of racing stock cars and always utilized a one-year drain interval with AMSOIL 20W-50, changing the oil filter every four to five weeks . . . unheard of in racing circles."
"I have always told my competitors to use AMSOIL products in their personal and tow vehicles, but only their race vehicles when they want an advantage."
Dennis V. Pobanz, Colorado
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