EXOL OIL

[HxPaul]

I've just been on the scooterotica forum.It seems like a couple of forum members have been having trouble with gummed rings and damaged gudgeon pins.Both were using Exol oil at the time.Has anyone on here had a similar problem.

[Afandy]

Is that the oil that a few Scooterist were bragging about ?..how cheap it is..?

[HxPaul]

It's one of them,the other being Rock Oil Groundsman.

[mcbrid]

Nope - and anyway wasn't it a Vethpa that failed?

[HxPaul]

A Vespa and a Lambretta.

[MickYork]

I've been using the Exol oil for over a year, along with 2 mates and we haven't had a problem......i suspect the oil isn't the the problem.

I had "gummed" up rings when running in my Avanti and put it down to the 4% i was mixing (Putoline). I changed to 2% and haven't had a problem in 3 years (Exol for the last year).

[gaz_powell]

I`m one who posted in response to someone else and both were vespas - one using semi and one fully synthetic Exol

I`m putting mine down to excess bore clearance and running slightly rich for the gumming up and I believe the gudgeon pin issues is a poor pin - its possible both piston are the same manufacturer (meteor)

Everything was right with the piston - gudgeon pin pushed in by hand and I drilled lube holes in the tunnel inside the piston each side.

At this point I`m not blaming oil - I will be looking at all the aspects.

Ive got one of my ts1`s to strip after Bridlington - so we`ll see whats occurring in there - this will be a top end strip only and will be to replace the piston due to high mileage and reeds. will probably strip both for inspection.

I wont be for a couple of weeks after brid due to other things on

Gaz



Gaz

[Storkfoot]

I'm just about to finish a 25l drum of the semi-synth. I decided a few months back to try some other oil after I finish it.

There's no scientific and engineering reason for why. The only reason is that it is very smokey, particularly when the engine is warming up although it is supposed to be "low ash." I know this as before I went to Davos I changed to a Valvoline synthetic, with no change to carburation and I haven't noticed a smokey exhaust since.

I also believe that it does coke up more than my previous oil [SIP Formula]. I haven't, however, had gummed rings and I've been running it at 3% on a GT186 and a TS1.

[gaz_powell]

I have found it smokey at warm up and tick over but not in use - Especially on the TS1`s

3% on TS1`s and 2-3% on the vespa (will do 2% on vespa after my top end rebuild yesterday)

all bikes are a tad rich

never had a sniff of a seizure on normal unleaded

gaz

[sunrisemac]

IMHO, it's worth remembering what issue premix ratio is addressing, it is to keep an oil presence inside the engine during use.

For an engine that is continually used at near peak revs it will need a higher ratio of oil than an engine that is running for the majority of the time at a more modest rev range.

With that in mind, as Eden has alluded, to if an engine is not being used hard enough to burn the oil then gummed rings will probably be a consequence.

The top end of a 2 stroke engine will wear better with a good soaking of lighter oil whereas the crank and bearings which will do better with less but heavier oil, the top end is where I reckon the priority lies in the choice and ratio of oil used.

[mcbrid]

Why are we talking about Vespas again?

[sunrisemac]

Why are we talking about Vespas again?

What's a Vespa, isn't it a kind of match?

[gaz_powell]

"Why are we talking about Vespas again?"

the discussion is about the oil which been used in both lambretta and vespa

it also mentions a piston brand which serves both Lambretta and vespa

the discussion maybe or may not be of benefit to the riders of lambrettas but never the less a valid topic

[Storkfoot]

I have found it smokey at warm up and tick over but not in use - Especially on the TS1`s

3% on TS1`s and 2-3% on the vespa (will do 2% on vespa after my top end rebuild yesterday)

all bikes are a tad rich

never had a sniff of a seizure on normal unleaded

gaz

Actually that's a point I hadn't thought of. I'd forgotten that I also use the Exol in my Rally 200 at 2% and that's not smokey at all. I'm taking the Rally engine out over the winter so I'll check the coking issue then.

[gaz_powell]

Paul

Don't mention the V word on here

Gaz

Keep us updated on the V although you might have to use the other channel so not cause upset to some !

[mcbrid]

Haha - now you've done it!

'never had a sniff of a seizure on normal unleaded '

[gaz_powell]

Yep ......probably the kiss of death !!!

[Storkfoot]

Resurrected from history

Need to buy some oil. I have got used to buying 20 or 25l drums. Thinking of, amongst a couple of other options, Fully Synthetic (not the semi) Exol.

Any thoughts on whether this has a tendency to be overly smokey or, worse, gum up the rings?

[ToBoldlyGo]

Why not the semi? I'm using Exol semi and it's a good oil. I did use the fully synth at one time, and yes I did get gummed rings. I don't have any desire to go back to it.

[Norrie Bodge]

Why not the semi? I'm using Exol semi and it's a good oil. I did use the fully synth at one time, and yes I did get gummed rings. I don't have any desire to go back to it.

Was this using the fully synthetic on a cast barrel or a Nicasil kit?