Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
VanagonEuroVan
Subject:OES, 5-20 etc
From:pensioner
Date:Sun, 26 Nov 2000 18:56:37 -0800

Hi Volks,

OES is Oil, Engine, Sub-Zero.  the 5-20 has a FSN I'm sure but when I was
skippin merrily oer the muskeg at the Arctic Test Center, Ft. Greely AK, we
used OES and 5-10Wt in the "cold soak" critters so you could start em.  The
motorpool "daily drivers" were kept in a heated >10F building to use as
"assist" in starting.

M60A1 MBT could jump start just about anything that sucked 24VDC.  Could
deliver 1800 CCA to another hopeless critter.  The gasoline turbine " hot
start" device could crank a stone cold (<-40F) vehicle without even
breathing hard.

M89/88 retrievers with their "woolies" on  (Arctic Kit) could deliver 2100 A
at 24VDC for a cold start.

All used OES and 5-10.  Engine wear was horrendous and oil consumption
enough to choke a sierraclubber when the motors were at operating
temperature.

A specially refined diesel fuel was used to avoid the precipitation of solid
paraffins and subsequent clogging of the injectors.

Tok Jct 1963 -83F actual.  Fortunately no wind.

The problem with low vis oils is their inherent propensity to slip by the
rings and valve guides at nominal operating temperatures requiring a very
careful monitoring of available oil volume.  One trip to Fairbanks (105mi)
used three quarts of OES at an ambient of -55F.

Hey it was fun, it was free, and and one heck of a lot better than RVN.

pensioner

5thSFG RVN 1961-1963 (second place), ATB/NWTC 1963-64 Ft. Greely AK

Have something to add on this topic today? Revive this thread in the forum »