Con rod query

[Tony Press]

Hi Colin
All understood.  Yes much difference of opinions often expressed......sadly sometimes from old fashioned ideas that "that is what was recommended by the car manufacturer" without thought that oil has come on a long way since those days.  I too have done much research into the uses and qualities of the various types of oils and am sure you will probably have just as sore a head as I did at the end! But much enlightened.
I was referring to an additive that I use which does not alter the oil one uses but merely uses it to get carried around the engine/gearbox etc.  I have the lab test report on this additive from SINTEF (google it and you will see they are a very large and important oil industry laboratory) showing it does what the additive claims as does figures from MIRA tests.  In spite of these two august bodies findings the additive has been referred to by some as "magic of the wizard Merlin type".
I did actually venture across the border down to the former abode of M in Cornwall but unfortunately he was not at home so could not throw any enlightenment on why some thought it magic. 
A filter really is a good idea as an addition.

Dennis (in Devon)

I suspect you have misinterpreted the comments on this additive - the reference I remember was to the users believing the additive was magic - and that since Merlin was no longer alive this was unlikely.

I was going to say that this additive is very cleverly marketed but possibly it is not because if it was so good then all would be using it.

I know that it is sometimes said that the oil industry stops publicity of these amazing additives but after twenty years in the industry including chief engineer marketing for Mobil I remember a number of investigation which showed that extra additives gave no benefit and sometimes interfered with the standard additive pack.

Remember most oils now contain over 10% additives - all synthetic.

Users of the 'magic' additives are often hard to convince, having spent good money, so I will say no more.

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I do draw a certain comfort from the fact that our engines seem to survive more or less regardless of the choice of oil!

Given that it is a design from the 1910's and in standard form is quite unstressed then a very basic lubricant should suffice.