oil jelling?

[billybob]

Quick answer I hope,

Have been reading up on a few articles and have come across this oil jelling... anyone know what is it and how is it caused?

Thanks

[billybob]

OK I broke down and called a friend of mine that rebuilds triumph motercycles and is an amazing diy'er.

This is what I got from him... wrong viscosity for temperature and/or additives.

He said these are the 2 most common causes but there are others.

Still open for others, as here is the background for the question.

Another friend of mine has a little rice rocket (toyota celica) which he just had the oil changed on and less than 24 hrs later the motor was dead according to the mech at the shop. ( burned bearings and what nots)

The oil put in the car was 10w-30 and an additive called Lucas oil conditioner. He's had this done a few times before but have never had this happen before. Now to add the twist to it, the night that the motor stoped playing its was about -15 F.

He noticed the oil pressure drop slowly down to about 10 psi while driving then it got real loud as he pulled it over and turned it off, opened the hood and the engine bay was covered in oil.

Bill

[DDLS1]

I've not heard of jelling associated with lubricating oil. It is however common with fuel oil especially #2 grades and diesel fuel. It is condition where low temperature causes the parrafin to cloud(jell) and plug fuel filters and small diameter fuel lines. 10-30 motor oil is ok even at -15, I can not speak to the conditioner you mentioned as I am not familar with it.

[page62]

Our old friends Click 'n Clack have actually addressed this issue in their newspaper column. Oil gelling seems to be happening mostly to Toyotas! I haven't heard an explanation why, however.

I've never heard of a case occurring in small block Chevys. And I wouldn't blame the Lucas Oil Conditioner (but personally, I don't use stuff like that in any case).

This, as it was explained to me, happens when cold pockets form inside an engine. These pockets generate an acid that mixes with the oil and caused it to jell. Right now Toyota has a big problem with it. I know because my wife's mini-van with 20,000 miles on it and regular oil changes jelled. The engine had to be rebuilt. I asked them what they did to fix the problem and they told me that they were not sure that it was a problem. They felt it was due to owner neglect. I showed the engine compartment of my '73 that I happened to drive to pick up the van and asked if he thought I was the type of person who neglected anything automotive! I took the van and traded it for a Jeep the next day. The wife got my Denali. She's happy, I'm happy and Toyota is not!