How bad did the previous owner hurt car w/ 20w50?

[mechtech2]

20-50 in that engine?
The further away from the oil pump on a cold start, the more chance of a problem.
Cold starting a jillion times with poor flow to the cam bearings for instance, can cause more wear.
Once warm, many parts are well protected. This may help offset any loss, but who knows?

 

[badnews]

Awh

Why you say that ?

The oil is in the line - once the engine and system starts the oil is being pumped , at what speed may depend on the temp to a small extent, not very much unless it is frigid.
This baseless statement made on BITOG is ridiculous .

 

[aquariuscsm]

I`ve run 20W50 in every car I`ve owned. Of course I`m in a hot climate,and my current car`s fsm rates 20W50 down to 14F. We had a few days of 19F here last winter. I think I had Valvoline VR1 20W50 in it at that time. Started without a single flaw :^) Cranked as fast as it does when it`s over 100F outside,was smooth and silent with no valvetrain noises at all.

 

[pidster]

Too thick for me, but in a warm climate can't see how any damage could be done. I know a guy here that starts his old beater, spec'd for 30 wt with dino 15w40 at -20 deg C with no block or pan heaters. Been doing it for years, starts fine, runs fine. That would make me nervous, it's 5- or 0- w 30 or 40 for me in winter time. But if 15w40 can do so well in Canadian winters a 20w50 in a place like California should be a breeze. Lots of people do still use 50 weights in warmer climates. 40 and 50 weights are considered thin oils in places like Australia.

 

[Kyk noord en]

Originally Posted By: sangyup81
I don't think 20w50 can hurt anything unless it gets cold. Does it ever get to under 50 degrees F in SoCal even at night?


Originally Posted By: Kyk noord en
It can get fairly cold in SoCal in the winter months, being a desert region.

High thirties is common, and in the foothills you'll get snow. Nothing a 20W should have a problem with, I doubt it put any extra wear on the engine.

But still, SoCal ain't all beach weather.

 

[Geonerd]

There's nothing 'horrible'

about 20w-50.
If you're so worried about cold-start wear, I'd be much more concerned with how the original owner drove the car before when the engine was cold.

I knew a guy that would jump into his perpetually rebuilt 280Z, fire that sucker up, and do burnouts leaving the parking lot. Needless to say, he went through a lot of engines... That's an extreme example, but I do believe that letting an engine idle for a minute or so after a cool/cold start is never a bad idea. I wince when someone gets in their car and immediately gives it significant throttle and revs.

 

[Shannow]

I see drivers of manual vehicles down here (virtually) in second before they release the key from the start position.

Requiring the clutch in for a start (never had a car with it personally) seems to engender a get it done approach to moving off.

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: badnews
Awh

Why you say that ?

The oil is in the line - once the engine and system starts the oil is being pumped , at what speed may depend on the temp to a small extent, not very much unless it is frigid.
This baseless statement made on BITOG is ridiculous .


Since this follows my statement, I assume it is for me.
To prove yourself wrong, put a pressure gauge on the end of a cam bearing system on an OHC engine. Many older VWs have one there already. Note how long it takes for the light to go off , or pressure to rise with 5-30 or 20-50 in there. And also how it responds in cold weather.[there will be a big change]
Also start a v8 Chevy with the valve covers off , and note how long it takes for flow to achieve oiling. I have been there/done that in all sorts of conditions. Again, note the big difference.
We are not dealing with a sealed pressurized system. There are many leaks - the pump and bearing sides. And flow is simply reduced with the thick stuff.

To further reduce this down to your level, there is a reason people often use two straw to drink a milkshake, and only one for a soft drink.

 

[ItsuMitsubishi]

On the KA in California, probably no discernible damage has been caused. No need to fret. If the engine was not redlined often (which would put stress on the oil pump due to the high viscosity and increase it's clearances with excess internal hydraulic pressure) it'll be totally, 100% fine. If 20w50 was so horrible, it would be straight engine carnage in places like Australia, where 25w60 syrup finds it's way into crankcases.