Engine Oil Talk

Last night I went into tescos, bought some cheap shatty stuff to run through the engine to literally fill the engine up, see if she runs and then drain and fill up with some real stuff.

Now, (this is for the CBR) the stuff I got was 10w40 as usual with the CBR, and stated on the front of the bottle that it was part synthetic, I looked at the back for some more info, the API Grade was on this SL/CF, now I was pretty sure that this was incorrect but as it was part synthetic, I thought probs means semi, but couldn't remember what API Grade was without looking in the manual. Got home and the API Grade stated in the Manual is SF,SG and I think SC.

So, I assume, this shoite is no good to use?
What is the API Grade?
Is Part Synthetic, Semi Synthetic?
Am I doomed into sounding like a complete noob?

Thanks for the help chaps & chapesses.

[keith_d]

The grades are simply different specifications for stability and resistance to degradation.

SJ - 2001 engines and older
SL - 2004 engines and older
SM - Current engines and older

Previous grades are no longer current.

If you're going to replace it with a nice high performance bike oil afterwards I'd not be in the least bit bothered about the Sx grade.

Keith.

Originally Posted by keith_d

The grades are simply different specifications for stability and resistance to degradation.

SJ - 2001 engines and older
SL - 2004 engines and older
SM - Current engines and older

Previous grades are no longer current.

If you're going to replace it with a nice high performance bike oil afterwards I'd not be in the least bit bothered about the Sx grade.

Keith.

So the S(whatever itis grade) is just a year reference.

Originally Posted by plowsie

So the S(whatever itis grade) is just a year reference.

Not quite, I believe that the higher standard supercedes the lower and the specification for each standard (Sx) is different.

Cheers

[embee]

Yes, basically the test specifications are continually updated/upgraded, and as oils are tested to ensure satisfactory performance they become rated at the current spec. The letters progress through the alphabet, "S" prefix for spark engines and "C" prefix for compression ignition (i.e. diesel).

There was a slight glitch when low metallic additive oils were being developed to aid catalyst life, but you can safely ignore that and just assume that later specs will supercede earlier ones.

As to whether "semi" and "part" synthetic means the same thing, I suspect it probably doesn't, but wouldn't worry about it for your purposes, what could be a concern is the wet-clutch compatibility, but that's another can of worms...............

[yorkie_chris]

10w40s are generally fine with wet clutch. Be reet.

got some castrol power 1 gps, 10w-30 api sj

I wouldn't fill the engine up (if you mean literally). You'll probably force a load of oil up your crank case breathers into the airbox.

as a en engine flush, i dont see the problem. Might not be so great in the long run, so get soemthing decent in there afterwards

(are HG still doing that good cheap oil?)