STP

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: jworks
You're using the Amsoil? I tried that in a 79 T-Bird , 302 engine. They said it was good for something like 25k miles or so between changes. I had the oil tested when it started turning really black around 6 - 10k miles. The silicon content was very high as was the chromium (rings). I quit using it.


Don't blame Amsoil for high silicon and abrasive wear - check the air filtration.

As for STP - it's just polymeric thickener - mostly heavy brightstock. Does nothing but increase/shift the over viscosity of your oil.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: jworks
You're using the Amsoil? I tried that in a 79 T-Bird , 302 engine. They said it was good for something like 25k miles or so between changes. I had the oil tested when it started turning really black around 6 - 10k miles. The silicon content was very high as was the chromium (rings). I quit using it.

Silicon? It wasn't the oil

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
Originally Posted By: jworks
You're using the Amsoil? I tried that in a 79 T-Bird , 302 engine. They said it was good for something like 25k miles or so between changes. I had the oil tested when it started turning really black around 6 - 10k miles. The silicon content was very high as was the chromium (rings). I quit using it.

Silicon? It wasn't the oil


Again, Amsoil is excellent oil, I doubt anyone would argue that point. Some feel other oil is as good and less costly and less hassle to get. So don't blame Amsoil for high silicon. Its mostly likely in the air.

As other have said, if it gets past the air filter its going in the oil.

 

[jworks]

Got it . Sorry about that. My mistake. "My bad". LOL

 

[hardcore302]

One could say "It doesn't hurt".

 

[Nickdfresh]

Interesting responses in this thread which run the gambit of STP "made my car go over 400K" to "IT's just snakeoil/garbage."

While I would never put STP in a newer engine, especially the blue bottle stuff, I still think it has it's place in older engines requiring ZDDP or that suffer from excessive burning. And I don't know how it's "snakeoil" since they make no extraordinary snakeoil claims..

For the OP, you'd be better off using a quality oil like a syn or a high mileage if your worried about consumption or want better additives. But if you're hellbent on STP, check Big Lots! for the older, thinner red bottle "4-Cylinder" stuff...

 

[bob4558]

Aluminum pistons is high in Silicon.

 

[andyd]

Makes a great assembly lube. Waaay better than the Lucas thick stuff

 

[Exhaustgases]

Many years ago training on light aircraft engine overhaul I observed the tech using STP for assembly. I don't think it is approved by the aircraft engine manufactures and maybe considered a no no for aircraft engines.
I noticed this statement a few times in this thread.
"it's just polymeric thickener" Well pretty much all of your synthetic oils and multiviscosity oils are just that. Or should I say the viscosity modifier additives are. Since I don't think STP is a multi viscosity lube, then I am not sure if calling it a polymeric thickener is correct.
And I noticed someone mentioned it was about SAE50 weight, I think its a bit more, since I do have an aircraft engine that uses equivalent of SAE 60 and its no where as thick as STP. I have witnessed, an engine that was saved from distruction because of the use of STP. It leaked and used alot of oil. And had very low oil pressure. STP saved the internals. Though it was a gooy mess to clean up. Some one mentioned GM, they have their own product that is equvalent in viscosity called EOS.Engine Oil Suppliment. It is an additive.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: andyd
Makes a great assembly lube. Waaay better than the Lucas thick stuff


+1 My brother and I installed many Cams over the years and gave them a bath in STP before firing up the engine. It worked great for Cam installations.

 

[EricG]

Thats where I was exposed to STP also. While attending A&P school in the 80's, we used STP as an assembly lube. I have used it since then on many aircraft, automobile, ATV and small engines as an assembly lube!

 

[ltslimjim]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: andyd
Makes a great assembly lube. Waaay better than the Lucas thick stuff


+1 My brother and I installed many Cams over the years and gave them a bath in STP before firing up the engine. It worked great for Cam installations.


Nice point of use for the STP zddp treatment to remember. It's cheaper than Red Line break-in!

 

[demarpaint]

It worked like a champ back then, it clings and stays in place while you put the engine back together. We'd use it for the initial Cam break in and then change out the oil. I'm not sure if, or how many times the formula changed since the last Cam job we did though????

 

[Kestas]

Originally Posted By: bob4558
Aluminum pistons is high in Silicon.

If you're suggesting piston wear, you should also see elevated amounts of aluminum and tin as a companion in the oil analysis.

 

[Kestas]

jworks, one thing to consider is the dollar amount you spent on STP additive over the life of the vehicle, and whether it's worth it over the results from NOT adding STP.

 

[fdcg27]

I don't think that STP is either needed or helpful.
I don't think this engine could have been helped by the use of 20W-50 plus STP to make the oil a lttle thicker.
OTOH, I find it hard to argue with a guy who has 430K on an engine.

 

[chainblu]

Originally Posted By: Exhaustgases
Some one mentioned GM, they have their own product that is equvalent in viscosity called EOS.Engine Oil Suppliment. It is an additive.


I used to use EOS when I was getting ready to fire a fresh rebuild. I'd pour half a bottle to supplement the moly paste that was on the camshaft. Great stuff! I never had an engine or cam failure.

However, IIRC, I don't remember it being as thick as STP...

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: chainblu
Originally Posted By: Exhaustgases
Some one mentioned GM, they have their own product that is equvalent in viscosity called EOS.Engine Oil Suppliment. It is an additive.


I used to use EOS when I was getting ready to fire a fresh rebuild. I'd pour half a bottle to supplement the moly paste that was on the camshaft. Great stuff! I never had an engine or cam failure.

However, IIRC, I don't remember it being as thick as STP...

I just found 4 bottles of that gm stuff for 2 bucks each. Bought all 4. Your right. It isn't as thick.

 

[Chris142]

STP works great as an oil pump primer.

 

[steve20]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
I just found 4 bottles of that gm stuff for 2 bucks each. Bought all 4. Your right. It isn't as thick.

Hope they are the older cans of it--the new formulation is not as robust as the older one--on paper at least. For 2 bucks a can it is hard to go wrong.
It is no where near as thick as STP what are thinking about??