FROM THE OIL BIBLE:
Using Diesel oil for flushing

A question came up some time ago about using diesel-rated oils to
flush out petrol engines. The idea was that because of the higher
detergent levels in diesel engine oil, it might be a good cleaner /
flusher for a non-diesel engine. Well most of the diesel oil
specification oils can be used in old petrol engines for cleaning, but
you want to use a low specification oil to ensure that you do not over
clean your engine and lose compression (for example). Generally
speaking, an SAE 15W/40 diesel engine oil for about 500 miles might do
the trick.   http://www.carbibles.com/engineoil_bible.html

Sounds like diesel formulated oil might be to harsh?

John Meeks
'91 Vanagon MV Phoenix
Northern Michigan

Vanagon Rescue Squad
www.vanagonauts.com

On Sun, May 13, 2012 at 9:22 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks people.
>
> Ironically, given the jokes some of us make about oil discussions, I
> know very little about engine oil. But it's something I need to learn
> more about now.
>
> Maybe an oil with a wider range of viscosity would be best. I don't know.
>
> Google is my friend!
>
>
> Neil.
>
> On Sun, May 13, 2012 at 5:00 PM, John Meeks <vanagon@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Interesting stuff. Sounds like 'soot' is kept in suspension better
>> than coventional oils designed for gas engines. The shear numbers look
>> good. Resistance to shear might make up for the 40 weight. Don't know
>> what other factors are in play in the gas vs diesel comparison.
>> Anyone?
>>
>> 15w50 Mobil1 is really hard to find this year for me. NLA? �Some 10w40
>> is still on the shelves which is what I ran last winter. Looking
>> around for alternatives.
>>
>> John Meeks
>> '91 Vanagon MV Phoenix
>> Northern Michigan
>>
>> Vanagon Rescue Squad
>> www.vanagonauts.
>>
>>
>> On Sun, May 13, 2012 at 3:49 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hi all.
>>>
>>> Searched �"Hypuron" in archives. Didn't get any hits.
>>>
>>> I don't know if the TBN and Low Ash aspects help a gas engine, but
>>> looking at "Oxidation Control & Shear Stability" here:
>>>
>>> http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=82915547&contentId=7025207
>
>
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> 65 kb image Myford Ready For Assembly �http://tinyurl.com/64sx4rp
>
> '88 Slate Blue Westy to be named.
>
> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" �http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> Vanagon VAG Gas I4/VR Swap Google Group:
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines