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20W50
May 5, 2020 11:24:00 GMT
Post by djm16 on May 5, 2020 11:24:00 GMT
I needed to top up my P4 so hied my way to the local auto store to get some Penrite HPR 30 (20W60). Despite the fact that crude oil prices are now negative (producers are paying customers to take the oil away) the price of HPR 30 had gone up to $47.75 per gallon (5 litres).
This is really taking the piss, even more so because all the other stores were selling it at the identical price. Clearly some price fixing going on somewhere.
So I looked at other oils, and ended up buying Valvoline XLD Premium 20W50 at $34 per 5l.
Pretty much every vehicle I have ever owned over the last 45 years, including a 2 stroke Jawa 350 has used 20W50 oil, so I am pretty familiar with how it pours. This Valvoline XLD is thin. It pours more like the 10W40 I use in the diesel Landcruiser.
Can anyone offer some insight? suitable reasonably priced alternatives? (remembering I am in Australia).
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Post by enigmas on May 5, 2020 13:05:26 GMT
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20W50
May 6, 2020 1:18:40 GMT
Post by djm16 on May 6, 2020 1:18:40 GMT
Thanks enigmas, I had seen that ad. Their "free shipping" offer does not apply to where I live, upping the total to more than $50 per can, although I might try my work place. They also have a get out clause for "bulky" items. Did they ship some to you for free? Interesting is the price REPCO (Rip-Off and Co) are charging.
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20W50
May 6, 2020 3:20:54 GMT
Post by enigmas on May 6, 2020 3:20:54 GMT
Not yet but the price beats everything I've seen locally for Penrite Classic Light. Repco is selling it for $70!!!
I've just got off the Phone to Penrites Head office and a rep is going to contact me about the massive price variations. Apparently they have no control over costing!!! Seems incredibly dumb to me.
I'll see what transpires.
Why not have the oil delivered to a friend/club member who lives in the/a metropolitan area? Then you've got an excuse to go for a drive.
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20W50
May 6, 2020 8:43:25 GMT
Post by djm16 on May 6, 2020 8:43:25 GMT
I have checked with a friend in the motor trade who is going to order a bunch direct from Penrite at $36 each.
The main point of my posting was my surprise at how thin the Valvoline XLD 20W50 was (cold). It may be good that it is thin when cold for quicker circulation at start-up, but how does it perform when hot?
I wondered if the bottling factory had just filled up the containers all with 10W40 and just labelled some 20W50 hoping nobody would notice. I don't really want to use my P4 as a test-bed by replacing all 8-9 litres of engine oil with Valvoline, but at least having topped up by 2.5 litres the hot oil pressure at idle is 50 psi, which is certainly no worse than before.
Pretty much the only reason for using Penrite is that they publish their ZDDP content. Almost everyone else does not.
I have also read the following: - that the lower ZDDP in SN rated oils may be enough, as different ZDDP formulations are not identical in effectiveness - that the high ZDDP in diesel oils (an option where Penrite is not available) may be at least partly negated by the higher "detergent" concentration, which can remove the zinc / phosphate layer from moving surfaces. - that higher ZDDP is "only" critical in engines with high lift cams (not us?) and / or engines with double valve springs (yes, all Rover IOE 4c 6c). - that the legal requirement for modern engine oils to have low ZDDP content to preserve catalytic converters applies to oils such as 0W30, 5W40, 10W40 etc, but specifically excludes thicker oils such as 20W50, 15W50 and 20W60.
Given that most wear occurs within a few seconds of startup, maybe engines run with Valvoline XLD will wear less than engines run on Penrite HPR30?
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