Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Foaming is caused by entrained gas such as air or combustion gases.
Foaming of a lubricant will reduce its effectiveness and needs to be minimized and at best stopped from building up during engine operation.
Here is something everyone who uses third party additives should be aware of:
The stability of foams increases as more additives are added to the lubricant.
What this means is as more additives are added or additives become a higher percentage of the fully formulated oil, it is more difficult to "burst the bubbles."
This is why fully formulated oils are such a balancing act.
To maximize foam (bubble)
breakup some foam inhibitors that are used are:
Dimethylsiloxane polymers
Acrylate copolymers
Anti-foamers and Defoamers
Good info. What is happening with Amsoil and Mobil 1 EP here where no third party additives are being used? He claims to see bubbles on his dipstick with both products. Are they bubbles or active additives? Thanks!
Originally Posted By: Challenger71
Bob, the origin of the "bubbles" may actually be from the oil itself. Not bubbles perse but active additive. I've noticed that recently with both Amsoil SS and M1 high-mileage oils that I use as primary. I was concerned after seeing bubbles recently on the dipstick everytime I checked it on my Forester and convinced myself that I was overfilling the crankcase (I was'nt). It occurred to me to peak into the oil containers and sure enough there they were..in the case of Amsoil it was an empty bottle but I keep a few around just in case I need it for something. There was the "bubbles" at the bottom, container was practially empty of content but I could still see the active additive in there. Same with my last bottle of M1 high-mileage 5w30...had a 3/4 quart left and took a peak in there with a flashlight and there was the "bubbles" again. It's just additives and not sure which one but they do appear to me to be slightly metallic and of the shape and consistency of a small air bubble if looked at in certain light angles. As for your Ceratec, it's not causing any issues and may actually be preserving the additive in the oils since CT is doing such a good job of friction reduction by itself.
Originally Posted By: Bob69
I started a thread in another section; linking here to get more responses. Mostly interested in mechanical causes of air bubbles and how much of a problem it may be.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...il?#Post3212620