Oil change time or mileage?

I wouldn't discount water condensation to the point of saying its of little
consequence, at least that's the message I'm getting from your reply.

Simply saying an engine warms up quickly to evaporate moisture in the oil is
meaningless in terms of time if you don't mention the time the engine may
actually be running. Time of which you stated neither. All engines are not
created equal in terms of warm-up time either. Some other variants are
external temperature, terms in miles driven after cold startup, traffic,
traffic lights/stop signs, engine general rpms during engine on time, and so
on. Water buildup in the oil pan and oil passages depends on the general
humidity level and variance in temperature inside that area, and air flow in
that area, along with how long the engine has been off. There isn't much
attention paid to all this because people in general drive enough miles to
burn off moisture in the oil before it becomes a problem. But, as people
hop on their bicycles more often and ride with friends to work more often,
it may increase in general occurrence.

Many car collectors are aware of not only condensation in oil problems, but,
more of a problem, condensation in gasoline, contributing to gasoline
breakdown, especially affecting carburetors.
--
Dave
"Mike Hunter" wrote in message

> Talk to any collector and they will tell you it is the byproducts of
> combustion, that accumulate in the crankcase and form acid that are the
> problem, more so than vapor accumulation.
>
> Oil quickly run up to several hundred degrees and burns off moisture but
> over time the crank bearing the sit in the acidic oil mix begin to pit and
> score on and engine that is not run regularly
>
>
> "Jeff" wrote in message
>
> On Oct 3, 5:47 pm, "IB" wrote:
>> "Kurt Ullman" wrote in message
>>
>>
>>
>> > Which is more important. My kid just informed me that she hasn't
>> > changed the oil in roughly a year, yet she hasn't put enough miles on
>> > it
>> > according to the sticker. Going forward should she pay more attention
>> > to time (and how long) or the mileage?
>>
>> > It is for an 00 Explorer
>>
>> It's getting on for 10 years old, so service history is less of an issue
>> than condition. A few months isn't going to make a huge difference. But
>> don't let it go for much longer than 18 months.
>
> It depends on how it's driven. IF there are a few long trips, it may
> be ok. IF there are many short trips and the engine never gets warm,
> that is a bigger problem, because water from condensation may build up
> in the oil.
>
> JEff
>
 >> Stay informed about: Oil change time or mileage? 

That may be your opinion but you can bet the farm when the oil temperature
is over 200 degrees there is no longer any water in the oil. The next time
you drive your car for ten minutes or five miles, I suggest you go "feel"
the radiator.

Today moisture is gasoline is not longer a problem in any event since
today's gasoline's contain 10% to 15% alcohol. Think about it, as one
drives one "changes" the gasoline in there cars as well.



"Dioclese" <NONE> wrote in message

>I wouldn't discount water condensation to the point of saying its of little
>consequence, at least that's the message I'm getting from your reply.
>
> Simply saying an engine warms up quickly to evaporate moisture in the oil
> is meaningless in terms of time if you don't mention the time the engine
> may actually be running. Time of which you stated neither. All engines
> are not created equal in terms of warm-up time either. Some other
> variants are external temperature, terms in miles driven after cold
> startup, traffic, traffic lights/stop signs, engine general rpms during
> engine on time, and so on. Water buildup in the oil pan and oil passages
> depends on the general humidity level and variance in temperature inside
> that area, and air flow in that area, along with how long the engine has
> been off. There isn't much attention paid to all this because people in
> general drive enough miles to burn off moisture in the oil before it
> becomes a problem. But, as people hop on their bicycles more often and
> ride with friends to work more often, it may increase in general
> occurrence.
>
> Many car collectors are aware of not only condensation in oil problems,
> but, more of a problem, condensation in gasoline, contributing to gasoline
> breakdown, especially affecting carburetors.
> --
> Dave
> "Mike Hunter" wrote in message
>
>> Talk to any collector and they will tell you it is the byproducts of
>> combustion, that accumulate in the crankcase and form acid that are the
>> problem, more so than vapor accumulation.
>>
>> Oil quickly run up to several hundred degrees and burns off moisture but
>> over time the crank bearing the sit in the acidic oil mix begin to pit
>> and score on and engine that is not run regularly
>>
>>
>> "Jeff" wrote in message
>>
>> On Oct 3, 5:47 pm, "IB" wrote:
>>> "Kurt Ullman" wrote in message
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> > Which is more important. My kid just informed me that she hasn't
>>> > changed the oil in roughly a year, yet she hasn't put enough miles on
>>> > it
>>> > according to the sticker. Going forward should she pay more attention
>>> > to time (and how long) or the mileage?
>>>
>>> > It is for an 00 Explorer
>>>
>>> It's getting on for 10 years old, so service history is less of an issue
>>> than condition. A few months isn't going to make a huge difference. But
>>> don't let it go for much longer than 18 months.
>>
>> It depends on how it's driven. IF there are a few long trips, it may
>> be ok. IF there are many short trips and the engine never gets warm,
>> that is a bigger problem, because water from condensation may build up
>> in the oil.
>>
>> JEff
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Oil change time or mileage? 

>
> My car leaks oil from the valve covers. One of these days I will
> replace the gaskets, but for now, I never change the oil because I
> have to add new oil every week.

Occasionally change the filter. Another advantage, continually rust
proofing the bottom of your vehicle, a little expensive doing it your way
but it works.
 >> Stay informed about: Oil change time or mileage? 

For one example, regarding feeling the radiator, I've driven an 88VW Fox for
15 minutes in the morning during summer with relative humidity at some 40-60
percent. Its not hot enough to cause withdraw of my hand. The hose feeding
it was of similar temperature per "feeling it". Miles driven: 5. No
traffic, rural roads, hills, speeds vary 45-30 mph, 2 stop signs, one
traffic light. COOLANT Temp gauge registered normal midrange at 2.4 miles.

Feeling the radiator, or the input coolant hose from engine was not
significant. But, of course, I mentioned that may depend on the vehicle as
well, which you seem to keep ignoring.

Alcohol percentage would be noted on the gas pump if it was present, which
it is not with the gasoline I purchase. I won't take your bait to sidetrack
on alcohol cooling effects. Rather, I choose to dialogue about what I've
discussed so far, that is, if you are capable?

--
Dave


> That may be your opinion but you can bet the farm when the oil temperature
> is over 200 degrees there is no longer any water in the oil. The next
> time you drive your car for ten minutes or five miles, I suggest you go
> "feel" the radiator.
>
> Today moisture is gasoline is not longer a problem in any event since
> today's gasoline's contain 10% to 15% alcohol. Think about it, as one
> drives one "changes" the gasoline in there cars as well.
>
>
>
> "Dioclese" <NONE> wrote in message
>
>>I wouldn't discount water condensation to the point of saying its of
>>little consequence, at least that's the message I'm getting from your
>>reply.
>>
>> Simply saying an engine warms up quickly to evaporate moisture in the oil
>> is meaningless in terms of time if you don't mention the time the engine
>> may actually be running. Time of which you stated neither. All engines
>> are not created equal in terms of warm-up time either. Some other
>> variants are external temperature, terms in miles driven after cold
>> startup, traffic, traffic lights/stop signs, engine general rpms during
>> engine on time, and so on. Water buildup in the oil pan and oil passages
>> depends on the general humidity level and variance in temperature inside
>> that area, and air flow in that area, along with how long the engine has
>> been off. There isn't much attention paid to all this because people in
>> general drive enough miles to burn off moisture in the oil before it
>> becomes a problem. But, as people hop on their bicycles more often and
>> ride with friends to work more often, it may increase in general
>> occurrence.
>>
>> Many car collectors are aware of not only condensation in oil problems,
>> but, more of a problem, condensation in gasoline, contributing to
>> gasoline breakdown, especially affecting carburetors.
>> --
>> Dave
>> "Mike Hunter" wrote in message
>>
>>> Talk to any collector and they will tell you it is the byproducts of
>>> combustion, that accumulate in the crankcase and form acid that are the
>>> problem, more so than vapor accumulation.
>>>
>>> Oil quickly run up to several hundred degrees and burns off moisture but
>>> over time the crank bearing the sit in the acidic oil mix begin to pit
>>> and score on and engine that is not run regularly
>>>
>>>
>>> "Jeff" wrote in message
>>>
>>> On Oct 3, 5:47 pm, "IB" wrote:
>>>> "Kurt Ullman" wrote in message
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> > Which is more important. My kid just informed me that she hasn't
>>>> > changed the oil in roughly a year, yet she hasn't put enough miles on
>>>> > it
>>>> > according to the sticker. Going forward should she pay more attention
>>>> > to time (and how long) or the mileage?
>>>>
>>>> > It is for an 00 Explorer
>>>>
>>>> It's getting on for 10 years old, so service history is less of an
>>>> issue
>>>> than condition. A few months isn't going to make a huge difference. But
>>>> don't let it go for much longer than 18 months.
>>>
>>> It depends on how it's driven. IF there are a few long trips, it may
>>> be ok. IF there are many short trips and the engine never gets warm,
>>> that is a bigger problem, because water from condensation may build up
>>> in the oil.
>>>
>>> JEff
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Oil change time or mileage?