Oils & Additives

[Grumpyjohn1957]

Does anyone currently use or has used Liqui-Moly products in the past?
I’m particularly interested in Top Tec 4110 5W-40 LL04, CeraTec and MotorProtect.
Any thoughts on or experiences with these products?

[Fast3000]

No prior experience of Liqui Moly but when researching I found there was no significant benefits I would get then using the recommended Castrol products. Like you I was probably looking to see if there was something better I could put in my engine! Given Charles has a lot of practical and mileage experience I also read this forum whereby we tend to stick with OE recommended or similar product (Charles switched to Shell if my memory serves correct). My research included reading up spec sheets of Liqui moly Castrol etc from their websites, as well as watching the comparison videos on YouTube! e.g. LiquiMoly Vs Castrol vs Mobil 1 would be a search....
sorry if that was of no use but something to consider! if it aint broke...

[Grumpyjohn1957]

Yes correct, I’m looking for something better to put into the engine.
I agree, as you observe there seems little to no difference between manufacturers regards the performance of actual base lubricants when comparing like with like.
Product performance differences would come from the additives blended with that base oil.
Having "broken" one engine, I don’t want a repeat.
There must be an Alpina owning Tribologist somewhere out there!

[ade and liz flint]

There must be an Alpina owning Tribologist somewhere out there!

There is (well, was) as we both have such experience, Liz more-so as she studied and worked in tribology (in detail, Mika Hakkinens McLaren Ilmor F1 engine when it had repeated material failures related to diamond-like friction coatings) and very high power turbine blades and materials. I'm a now retired very high power engine development engineer, vibration analyst and trouble-shooter, so bearing and lubrication conditions are something I understand pretty well as a result.

Use the grade of oil ALPINA recommend for your specific engine as they will have calculated the bearing loadings, cooling flow rates, oil pressure, and any specific clearances within the engine they may be concerned about and whether that requires a thinner, or thicker lubrication media. Sytner started use of only 10W60 grade some time ago (don't know if this is still the case as we ceased using them partly for this reason) to avoid needs to stock a range of grades and in fact on one of our units installed the wrong grade of oil as a result during a service. We drained and filled it post service with correct grade oil to avoid any unwanted result of this incorrect oil grade in our case. I would advise you to question what they use and ensure it matches your specific needs as any oil grade change creates a whole new system of pressures, flows and cooling within your engine, and an oil that's too thick may not lubricate within smaller clearances when cold.

As regards oil additives, I don't use any except the Wynns engine seal treatment on occasion as it replenishes the rubber seal qualities within an engine, transforming them from brittle material once they've been regularly heat cycled in use, to a near new quality - that I know for fact does work. Otherwise, trust the oil Alpina recommend and keep it as close to the full line as possible.

[B10BRW]

As regards oil additives, I don't use any except the Wynns engine seal treatment on occasion as it replenishes the rubber seal qualities within an engine, transforming them from brittle material once they've been regularly heat cycled in use, to a near new quality - that I know for fact does work. Otherwise, trust the oil Alpina recommend and keep it as close to the full line as possible.

Sound advice Ade, is it the Wynn's stop leak you use, cheers

[KennyP]

Yep, agree with Ade on this too. Admit to being tempted with the snake oil potions over the years, Molyslip (actually quite good in old Minis), slick50, STP anything... Redex and so on. Some do seem to work to certain extent, I had good results with Redline fuel system treatment years ago on old Mk 1 Golf Gti's that were terrible for rotting out the fuel filler neck and then all the crap flicked up from the offside rear tyre would find it's way down into the tank causing havoc with the whole injection system.

Proper quality oil of the correct grade with a good zinc level changed at sensible intervals has got to be better.

Having said that.... ., Ade got me thinking about the Wynns seal treatment as I am enjoying a small oil leak from something that may be rubbery and it was 6 quid off the 'Zon....so it has been added and I'll report back if it did anything!

KennyP