On Fri, 17 Sep 2004 20:49:24 -0400, Gene Kearns
wrote:

On Fri, 17 Sep 2004 16:21:32 -0800, "Camilo"
wrote:

OK without getting into a full blown TCW3 debate, is your personal opinion
that Castrol would be considered an "upper end" oil or a "lower end". I
don't want to debate whether the "upper end" is actually better than the
"lower end", because I know that is debatable. I just want to know if
Castrol TCW3 has a good reputation for marketing a quality product.


I think most of those entering into this argument fall into two camps:

(1) you are an idiot if you don't buy the cheapest TCW3 oil
available.... you are a victim of unreasoned FUD (fear, uncertainty,
and doubt),

(2) or you are better off spending the extra few dollars and buying
the manufacturers recommended (up charged) proprietary oil.


Personally, I don't remember any top vs. bottom discussion. IMHO, I'd
think "bottom" was pretty much a no-brainer and "top" would be the
challenge.

Anybody else have any thoughts?

I buy manufacturer's oil in bulk and pay less than I would at Wal-Mart
for either Pennzoil or Castrol - actually, I think I pay less than the
Tech stuff that Wal-Mart sells.

I did use Pennzoil originally on the FICHTS and just for a goof, I
pulled the plugs one day mid-season and they were crud - the carbon
buildup was amazing. I tried running carbon guard with the Pennzoil,
but that didn't help any.

I switched to the FICHT oil and the problem went away. I now mix the
XD-50 and XD-100 half and half - for some odd reason, I'm using the
same amount of oil, but the fuel consumption per hour went down a
little bit.

On the other hand, I have a bunch of two cycle equipment around here
from leaf blowers to a four wheeler and I use the Wal Mart Tech oil
and it works fine - no problems at all.

I know - it's anecdotal evidence and doesn't prove anything, but it
does validate what I've heard from other folks with non-carbed engines
like the FICHTS.

Later,

Tom