This site has become an enthusiast and general knowledge site. There are many members who know a lot (shout out to Molakule), but there is a definite dearth in members who post a TON about relevant, lubrication-related topics.
You're more likely to discussing general maintenance than UOA here now, and I'm fine with that.
Originally Posted by DuckRyder
Originally Posted by rooflessVW
Originally Posted by OVERKILL
Yup, this came up recently in a thread where the whole thing derailed on something that was in no way relevant to the OP's query.
Sounds like every single wax thread.
It is just about every thread... It is the culture that has been created by the staff and lack of focus in the forum. IMO the first thing is that the forum is too diverse meaning too many areas not related to oil.
Lot of know it alls too, they respond to every question like they are an expert, but let them have to try to change a shock or brake caliper and you've got 5 threads asking questions about how to accomplish the most basic task.
Just watch the forum activity, It can go whole days at times with no activity in the UOA section yet there will be two or three pages in general discussion in the same period.
Bob ain't really the oil guy anymore, because Bob is trying to offer something for anybody...
That is my two cents...
Like every other site, this one is truly bobistheoilbutalsoneedstopaythebillsguy
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UOA don't really offer much benefit in the real world. Most people will still run an overly conservative OCI, which has been the trend lately. There are more people now than ever, it seems, who want to run 5k intervals than 10k. What value would an UOA serve? Those who follow their OLM and exceed 10k miles on synthetic are in the same boat. The likelihood of someone's 2014 engine showing signs of anything other than, "you could extend to 15k if you want" are very low.
With that said, I DID learn in my previous WRX STI that I could extend my OCI out to 7.5k+, even though most on the etherwebs thought that was insane! What did I save? Not a whole lot, but the knowledge was interesting.
Also, as my FXT gets older (closer to 100k) I'll likely start sending out sample for analysis, if only because my engine is the first version of it in the States and it would be interesting to add to the database, including both WRX's and FXT's. I also want to see if my wife's new routine of short-trips means we should be shortening the interval.
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Penultimately, I actually enjoy the non-lubrication-related threads.
I don't have a very big online presence and don't desire to join 15 forums to ask questions that can usually be found by Googling. For those I can't find via Google, there's a OK-to-good chance someone here has some knowledge in the subject field.
Example: several years ago the pulley ate itself in my 1960's gas furnace. I asked here for a decent source for a replacement of such an old part and whether to go with pot metal or stainless (I think those were the options). I was glad to have people here help. A few days later I installed the new pot-metal pulley and was back in business! Saved me an emergency house call and a likely heavy markup in the same part I was able to source online.
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Finally, if people hated the SUPER OT threads, there would be no posts in these threads. Even those who only join in on the conversation to say how stupid the thread is are likely getting some sort of satisfaction in a holier-than-though-type way. That's fine in OT!