You probably wouldn’t want to mix different grades, say, a 5W-30 synthetic with a 20W-50 mineral oil, but if you do, it likely wouldn’t do any harm.ĭo I need to warm up my engine before riding? However, if a touring engine uses more oil than is necessary, changing to a lighter grade of oil often solves the problem.Ĭan I top up my engine with a different type of oil?Īs long as you don’t mix a 2-stroke oil with a 4-stroke oil, you can safely top your engine up with a different type of oil. Here, the burnt oil can leave damaging deposits behind, meaning these engines often need more top overhauls. Unfortunately, some types of engines just use more oil than others due to their design. Yes, but when it comes to motorcycles, the 'right' engine oil is better than 'any' engine oil! Is any engine oil better than no engine oil? A specific 2-stroke oil is needed as 4-stroke oil would leave damaging deposits behind when it burns. As this oil is burnt with the fuel, it can’t be recirculated. The only way, therefore, to provide oil to the engine for lubrication is by adding it to the fuel. Here, there is no oil sump as the crankcase deals with the compression and induction of the fuel/air mix. With a 2-stroke engine, the process is somewhat different. A 4-stroke engine keeps most of its oil in its crankcase and oil sump and recirculates this oil to lubricate the engine. Why does a 2-stroke oil have to be mixed with fuel?Ī 2-stroke engine is built and runs differently to a 4-stroke one. Semi-synthetic oils don’t cost much more than mineral oils do, but offer advantages over the latter. Hydrocracked oils are mineral oils that have been subjected to intense pressure and temperature to change the structure of the molecules, making the resultant oil more stable and resistant to evaporation at higher temperatures. Semi-synthetics can contain “hydrocracked” bases. They have definite improvements over pure mineral oils.
Semi-synthetic oils are a blend of mineral and synthetic oils. Mineral oils are refined from petroleum, but even mineral oils contain some synthetic compounds or additives to improve them. What is the difference between a mineral, semi-synthetic, and full-synthetic engine oil? An oil filter costs just a few pounds, so it makes sense to change this every time you do an oil change. These particles can lead to engine damage, while a blocked filter may lead to oil starvation and ultimately engine failure. These particles can be anything from carbon deposits to small metal particles from your motorcycle's engine. The oil filter traps foreign particles and debris that are introduced into the oil by normal riding. What does my oil filter do and do I need to replace it? The engine oill also lubricates the clutch (but not if your motorcycle has a dry clutch) and your motorcycle's gearbox. What are the most critical areas where the oil flows?įor a motorcycle engine, the critical engine areas are the piston assembly, bearings and valve train. However, if you've already opened it and it's 5 years out of date you'll be better off buying fresh oil as the additives in the oil may have oxidised and lost their qualities.
If your oil has been opened and is a couple of years out of date, it'll most likely be absolutely fine. However if your oil hasn't been opened, it'll take years and years for it to degrade. If you're buying a bike that's been run on car oil, beware!Įngine oils have an expiry date which means the performance levels can no longer be guaranteed. So a car oil could make your clutch slip or knacker your gearbox. Most cars use a separate gearbox oil and most cars have a dry clutch. 10w40) as for motorcycle engines, the additives in the oil will be different. Even though you can and will find car oil with the same viscosity ratings (i.e. Can I use car engine oil in my motorcycle?
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