So, Redline and a few other synthetic oils (Motul being a second one that I can name off the top of my head) are generally recognized to be mostly (or perhaps exclusively) composed of polyolesters. Because polyolesters are products of the esterification of a organic acid, this process can be reversed in the presence of water and heat.
Apparently the people using POEs in the AC compressor industry have had some issues with this occurring in refrigeration systems. I would have thought that the desiccant in the dryer would take care of this, but perhaps at some point it becomes saturated and stops sequestering water in the system.
So, my question is to what extent should I be concerned about this in my consideration of switching to Redline or Motul? Obviously people are using Redline and Motul with great success, but I'm worried that my particular application might be more prone to problems. I am wanting to use one of these oils (leaning towards Redline) in a car that I have restored. What bothers me is that the car will be garaged about half the year, and when not garaged will probably be driven mostly on the weekends with the occasional weekday trip when the mood strikes. Does having a car sit idle for protracted periods make the moisture/POE issue more of a problem?
If I understand the chemistry correctly, both water and heat are required to reverse the esterification process to yield organic acids. Is this correct? If so, I would think that POEs would not tend to revert to organic acid even when moisture was present if it is at relatively low temperature (or say, any temperature below 90*F). Is this right?
Also, I think I've heard that POE motor oil makers actually blend different POEs and perhaps even diesters to help reduce the issue of reverse esterification. Anyone know anything about this?
So, if any of you chemical/tribology gurus can comment on this I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
-Scott
Apparently the people using POEs in the AC compressor industry have had some issues with this occurring in refrigeration systems. I would have thought that the desiccant in the dryer would take care of this, but perhaps at some point it becomes saturated and stops sequestering water in the system.
So, my question is to what extent should I be concerned about this in my consideration of switching to Redline or Motul? Obviously people are using Redline and Motul with great success, but I'm worried that my particular application might be more prone to problems. I am wanting to use one of these oils (leaning towards Redline) in a car that I have restored. What bothers me is that the car will be garaged about half the year, and when not garaged will probably be driven mostly on the weekends with the occasional weekday trip when the mood strikes. Does having a car sit idle for protracted periods make the moisture/POE issue more of a problem?
If I understand the chemistry correctly, both water and heat are required to reverse the esterification process to yield organic acids. Is this correct? If so, I would think that POEs would not tend to revert to organic acid even when moisture was present if it is at relatively low temperature (or say, any temperature below 90*F). Is this right?
Also, I think I've heard that POE motor oil makers actually blend different POEs and perhaps even diesters to help reduce the issue of reverse esterification. Anyone know anything about this?
So, if any of you chemical/tribology gurus can comment on this I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
-Scott