Avblend or Camguard, or both? What's your input?

[Rudder Bug]

Until a few minutes ago, I was totally sold to Avblend. I think I'm having good results with it, comfirmed by my engine performance, steady low oil comsuption, good compression, and the priceless Blackstone Labs follow-up with my oil samples.

Pouring in my little can on every oil change (25 hour) makes me feel comfortable. I like what they said and demonstrated on their web site so much that I ordered a supply immediately. I've been using it for a year or so. Doing an oil change without adding my can would be a sin.

Now there's another one showing up with another nice pitch: the Camguard gang. It sounds pretty good too. BUT, which one is best for my 0-320?

http://aslcamguard.com/aircraft/

Do they both provide the same protection or do they have different properties, like one better for non-frequent flyers in a cold environment - like me - or the other one for airshow pilots, pushing their engine to the limits for several minutes?

Thanks for your input.

RB

[Colonel Sanders]

Dumb question: specifically, what's in Camguard that Shell
didn't think was important enough, to put in Aeroshell 15w50?

Aeroshell Oil W15 - 50 is a premium semi-synthetic multigrade ashless dispersant oil specifically developed for aviation piston engines. AeroShell Oil W 15W-50 is a special blend of a high quality mineral oil and synthetic hydrocarbons with an advanced additive package that has been specifically formulated for multigrade applications. The combination of non-metallic anti-wear additives and selected high viscosity index mineral and synthetic base oils, give exceptional stability, dispersancy and anti-foaming performance. The advanced additive package in AeroShell W 15W-50 provides excellent protection to engines operating at extreme ambient temperatures. The ashless anti-wear additive package provides exceptional wear protection for camshafts and lifters and other wearing surfaces. AeroShell W 15W-50 has become very popular amongst engine manufacturers and operators alike. In order to cater for those Lycoming engines that need improved load carrying, the Lycoming LW 16702 antiwear additive has been incorporated into the formulation thus eliminating the need for supplemental additive addition.

For the summer, I use this:

AeroShell Oil W100 Plus is a new single grade oil that combines proven AeroShell ashless dispersant technology with advanced antiwear additives. It is the oil for pilots who want a single grade that delivers extra protection and performance. AeroShell Oil W100 Plus brings together the best qualities of two of the world's best-selling four cycle aviation oils. It has the single grade, ashless dispersant performance found in AeroShell W100 and the anti-wear/anti-corrosion additives of AeroShell Oil W 15 - 50 Multigrade. It's single grade heritage means outstanding resistance to heat, especially in the summer months. Its ashless dispersant formulation reduces deposits of harmful metallic ash in combustion chambers. And its advanced additives work against rust, corrosion and wear in a way no other single grade does. There simply is no better single grade aviation oil.

Again, specifically what additives are in Camguard that
Shell didn't think were necessary to add to W100plus?

And, what oil should you run, to add Camguard to?

PS Avblend is all about exhaust valve sticking. If you
don't mind doing the rope trick every 500 hrs, you
can probably pass on it.

[sportingrifle]

Not such a dumb question.

The Colonel is right that AvBlend is mainly to prevent sticking valves, primarily on low compression engines designed for 80/87 but now running 100LL. And it works. It is really just an FAA approved version of the old "Lenkite" developed for Ford flat head V8's that also stuck valves. Since we started using it, our valve sticking problems in R-985 radials have all but disappeared. CamGuard is something completely different.

Camguard was originally designed as a total additive package by some petroleum engineers working for Esso. Esso were very impressed with the test results but when they costed it, they calculated that it would nearly double the price of their basic oil and so chose not to include it in their oil. The product was then produced as a stand alone additive and they say that the one little bottle contains more additives than 6 quarts of oil. Camguard contains 11 separate additives that among other things minimze cam/lifter galling in Lycoming engines and also contain Vapor Phase Contact corrosion inhibitors to minimise corrosion in engines that fly infrequently. An Alaskan Super Cub owner performed a non-scientific but very illuminating test that he posted on the Super Cub owners forum. He sand blasted 24 pieces of steel and painted 12 different kinds of aircraft engine oil on them. He then painted another 12 with the same oils plus Camguard. Then he left them on the beach beside the ocean for 2 weeks. The steel plate coated with the least corrosion resistant oil plus Camguard had significantly less rust than the most corrosion resistant oil without! Also interesting was that he dispelled the "multi grade oils run off sooner" and is therefore not as good at preventing corrosion. Most of the multigrade oils out performed the single weights on his rusty steel plate test. (The test plates were vertical and the photos were dramatic.)

Lycoming generally hates oil additives but it is very telling that the two that they approve and endorse are AvBlend and Camguard. Both are effective albeit a bit expensive, it just depends on what you are trying to achieve. The only dumb question is not asking one!

Happy flying,

Sportingrifle.