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Originally Posted by wolfox
Opinions are like assholes. Everyone's got one, and they all stink. You have to use your heads and experience to pull together a solution that works for you, in your situation. The stuff that GM tech went off on sounds great in the lab. Can most likely be tested in an independant lab and found to be true...
But use your head for something other than a hat rack for a moment and think...
That GM tech's answers were all based on LABORATORY TESTS in a clean, closed environment. Now, how many of us drive in a laboratory day in and day out? Raise your hands...I'll wait for the count to come in...
That's right. NONE OF US. You want good hard facts about GM engines, oiling and maintenance? Talk to your local mechanic buddy. GM's going to hand you information and facts that though may be 100% true, will be skewed just ever so slightly. And do you know why? They have a vested interest in selling you a vehicle every 5~10 years, right after the warranty peters out. That being said:
There is NEVER going to be a perfect, one-shot cure all additive or regimen of chemicals and oils. But again, using your head you can figure out the tricks to keep things clean, quiet and efficient. One of these measures is to just read your damn manual and swap fluids when it says to. Every once in a while, like every two years - flush the engine and cooling system despite what the manual says. And by performing regular maintenance by yourself, you can tell when the little problems are just starting before they become big ones.
BlazerLT, I appreciate the documentation and your willingness to put up with this bullshit. I know that if I was in your position and *posting* the things that you are doing, and some other similar experiences and advice, my ass would be in the sling right next to yours. Oh, expect photos of my ghetto '95 VIN "W" CPI cold air intake this weekend. Hopefully work and weather will hold up a bit better.  Keep fighting the good fight gentlemen. |
I hope that you're not implying that people who take interest in this GM engineer are simply using their heads as hat racks.
Those people get paid quite well to have degrees and knowledge that many of us (no offense) don't have. They also have much more insider knowledge that isn't available. Not only has he apparently been there for a few decades, but he doesn't appear to live in a lab. Because he has a hobby with a motorcycle, one would think that he isn't just a lab guy, but also likely has "real world" experience on the same level as others claim.
I agree with the lab results that differ from the outside "real world" as far as cleaness. But in addition, those lab tests (and as was mentioned) often work the engine at a high RPM and load that wouldn't normal be something that real world engines would set (not sustained).
I guess I respect people who have that type of knowledge who work daily with the information that they do. I also respect people who don't come off as an ass. Though he didn't have the best opinoin of some products, I didn't see any personal slams towards anyone who differs in belief (from what I read).
While GM (like others) likely do have an interest in selling a customer another vehicle, if GM really was set to "sabotage" into making their vehicles to only last a few years, do you think that would be good for repeat business? Not like anyone doesn't have a choice with non-GM vehicles.
I do appreciate BlazerLT's study, because the debate and information that followed was also interesting and useful.