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jfkmk's avatar
jfkmk
Explorer
Dec 04, 2014

Beware of no name motor oil

There's been a lot of posts here debating the virtues of synthetic motor oil. I'm a firm believer of a good synthetic, but truthfully, name brand Dino oil is pretty darned good too. However, stay away from the no-name brands no matter what the label says. You never know what you'll get. Here's an article regarding 19 motor oils that are now banned from sale in New Jersey due to them not living up to what they claim to be. Strangely enough this stuff sells for close to what I pay for Mobil 1 in Wally World. Forgive me if the link doesn't work correctly, this is the first time I've tried a link:

http://www.app.com/story/money/business/consumer/2014/12/04/nj-motor-oil-ban/19892967/
Seeking Advice
  • Harvey51's avatar
    Harvey51
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2014
    And surprisingly Quaker State is , or at least was one of the worst. I remember first hand how it would gunk up an engine. Now that was many many years ago but I never used it since.


    Interesting. Back about 1975 I installed a pressure gauge in my '71 Datsun car and then tried Quaker State oil on high recommendation from a friend. The pressure was much lower than with Esso Extra. I don't know if lower pressure is good (indicating higher rate of flow through the engine) or bad. But I switched back to Esso and have stayed away from Quaker State ever since.

    Any comments on the lower pressure? Good or bad?
  • WillyB's avatar
    WillyB
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2014
    Google search shows Black Knight oils made by Smitty's Supply in Roseland LA
  • Raften's avatar
    Raften
    Explorer
    Dec 07, 2014
    dcmac214 wrote:
    Dave H M wrote:
    My opinion. :p
    I would never use motor oil in my chin saw for chain lube. Gotta have the high tack stuff.

    I put chain-bar oil in my saws but always have a bucket of used oil from the truck close to hand. Every few minutes stick the bar in it and run the chain all the way around (saw not running of course). Old habit from working for tree surgeon company decades ago.


    Thaks for posting that, I have a friend that thinks I am nuts when I do that.
  • Dtank's avatar
    Dtank
    Explorer
    Dec 07, 2014
    Ron3rd wrote:
    Here's the list of banned oils. Never heard of any of them:

    •Auto Club Motor Oil SAE 5W-30

    •Auto Club Motor Oil SAE 10W-30

    •Auto Club Motor Oil SAE 10W-40

    •Auto Club Motor Oil SAE 20W-50

    •Black Knight Motor Oil 5-30

    •Black Knight Motor Oil 10-40

    •LubeState Motor Oil SAE 10W-30

    •MaxiGuard MG 10-30

    •MaxiGuard MG 10-40

    •MaxiGuard MG 20-50

    •MaxiGuard MG SAE30

    •Orbit Motor Oil 5-20

    •Orbit Motor Oil 10-40

    •TruStar Motor Oil 10-30

    •U.S. Economy Motor Oil 5-30

    •U.S. Economy Motor Oil 10-40

    •U.S. Economy Motor Oil SAE 10W-40

    •U.S. Spirit Motor Oil SAE 10W-30

    •U.S. Spirit Motor Oil SAE 10W-40


    Brand names of... Tony Soprano Oil Company!!..:W

    Make your engine sing, "Bada Bing!"..:B

    Recycled / reclaimed oil.


    When I worked at a drug store chain in the late 1950's (Sav-On in CA),
    they sold their own brand of reclaimed Motor Oil - with the catchy brand name of....Sav-On Motor Oil.

    Standing joke was it would make your engine run backwards.

    .
  • Bamaman11's avatar
    Bamaman11
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2014
    There are very few sources for motor oil. Those few manufacturers make oils sold under different names.

    As far as Mobil 1, they have different synthetic oils. The EP is much, much better than the original Mobil 1, and I use it in my Yamaha outboard. I previously ran Rotella in my outboard, and it's great (for the price) for any vehicle or boat that doesn't have a catalytic converter.

    I'm running WallyWorld's house brand full synthetic in my cars. It's made by Exxon/Mobil. And it's about the same price as everyone else's dino oil.

    If you have time, look at BobIsTheOilGuy.com. It's the comprehensive website/blog about anything to do with lubrication.
  • FlatBroke's avatar
    FlatBroke
    Explorer II
    Dec 06, 2014
    Chris Bryant wrote:
    We used to use recycled non-detergent no-name bulk dispensed oil in our pickup- but it was a $200 1949 Dodge 1 ton with a flathead 6- no 2 parts actually touched in the engine, and we were afraid detergent would clean the crud keeping it together.
    :)

    Yeah when I first started driving I would use Golden West recycled oil and use the 17¢ I saved on a pack of Lucy Strikes.
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Dec 06, 2014
    We used to use recycled non-detergent no-name bulk dispensed oil in our pickup- but it was a $200 1949 Dodge 1 ton with a flathead 6- no 2 parts actually touched in the engine, and we were afraid detergent would clean the crud keeping it together.
    :)
  • Raymon's avatar
    Raymon
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2014
    I have never purchased any off-brand motor oils, not even for my lawn equipment. Over time, I feel using the best motor oil available will save me money from not having to do repairs associated with improper lubrication. Like the commercial used to say, 'pay me now or pay me later'.

    Ray
  • Allworth's avatar
    Allworth
    Explorer II
    Dec 06, 2014
    I notice that Rotella is not on the list.

    The Public Works Division buys it in 55 gallon drums for every diesel engine they own, from pickups and pumps to loaders and many-wheelers.

    I figure that if they trust it for that much critical equipment it is good enough for my 3500 D/A.

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