Is there any good reason why changing the oil before every race weekend? My race car sits for 3-4 weeks at a time between races, not being driven, so I figure I'd be changing oil that only has 150 miles on it. But I also figure I've driven the **** out of the car for that 150 miles around a race track, 90% of the time at redline. Waste of money for an oil change every race? Change filter too? Thoughts?


Ben, who is curious and putting off taking apart front suspension to hopefully find a bent suspension piece...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by uncleben &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Waste of money for an oil change every race? Change filter too?</TD></TR></TABLE>

If it's going to potentially prolong the life of your engine, then I wouldn't deem it a waste of money. Better safe than sorry, right?

 

Personally, I think changing oil every weekend is a waste of money and resources. Assuming that you keep the temp low enough that you aren't cooking it...

Kirk

 

What would ultimately answer this question is:

One of the Roadracers change their oil before a race. Race. Then send it to an oil analysis lab. This way we could see how much life the oil has left. We may be surprised and find that Kirk is correct. And I agree with him. And clm. If you have the time and money. And desire....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eee Pee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> If you have the time and money. And desire....</TD></TR></TABLE>

lol - time and money, sure... but desire? not unless it's necessary

anyone else?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Knestis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Personally, I think changing oil every weekend is a waste of money and resources. Assuming that you keep the temp low enough that you aren't cooking it...

Kirk
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep, I agree. I use a good synthetic & I don't see a need. If I pull the dipstick & it is starting to look crappy, then I think about it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civicrr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yep, I agree. I use a good synthetic & I don't see a need. If I pull the dipstick & it is starting to look crappy, then I think about it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hmm, my oil usually looks pretty bad after a race weekend. Though I just switched to Quaker State full syn, which by the way, didn't burn but a small amount through out the whole race day. When I was on a syn-blend (Castrol I think), I burned through a whole quart. Wouldn't have thought that changing brands and/or going to full syn would have stopped the burning almost all together like it did.

 

Mobil 1 10w-30 after every two-day race weekend.

Fresh Honda MTF after every other two-day race weekend.

Both the motor and the tranny operate like new.

Jason-
who definitely agrees with the phrase "better safe than sorry".

 

Fresh Mobil 1 and filter for every track weekend. All 45+ of them. Motor still strong as hell and has good compression. It might be a waste of money but I'm not going to argue with these results.

 

Karl's a schmuck.

I change engine oil every 2 weekends. Every weekend if i run an enduro. Transmission and diff oil are fresh to start the season and freshened for the second half of the season.

 

thanks for the opinions all

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krshultz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Fresh Mobil 1 and filter for every track weekend. </TD></TR></TABLE>

What he said. Before every weekend. I'm a freak.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RacerBowie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Transmission and diff oil are fresh to start the season and freshened for the second half of the season. </TD></TR></TABLE>

What he said too. Twice a year.

 

Thest best way is to call blackstone labs and get the oil sample kits. Then send them your oil after a weekend of racing, they can tell you how the oil held up and weather you could go another weekend on the same oil next time. They will help you find out the perfect oil change interval. This is what I do, and I can get 6 track days on the same oil and the oil still comes out very clean. My oil temps never go over 230 though, and I use Amsiol.

 

Every other weekend.

 

I count every 100 miles on-track as 1000 "normal" miles and follow the 3000 mile interval. Mobil 1 5w30 syn + OEM or Bosch filter (this time I am trying Mobil 1 0w40 for my next event.)

Edit: This brings up a new question: Does the normal 3-month interval still apply for synthetic oils? I always change my oil every 3000 miles, but never pay any attention to the duration the oil has been in the car. Not considering the miles, does syn oil (mobil 1, for example) "go bad" with time?

 

A couple guys here are on the right track: if you're worried about it, send a sample into an oil analyzer place...they will tell you for sure if the oil's cooked. It's also nice 'cause you can keep tabs on how healthy the engine is. These tests will tell you how much babbit (bearing material), fuel, coolant, etc. is in the oil. Once you get a baseline, then you will know if you have any problems.

For racing and hard use, I would recommend sythentic. Particularly on a race car that sits for days/weeks between use. Moisture can build up in the crankcase or residual gasoline (from the last time the engine was flooded) will break down dinosaur oils and reduce your protection. The synthetics allow this crap to burn off next time you beat on it. The downside is that synthetics burn/leak more.

 

I see 260 degrees Plus most weekends so Oil and filter is changed every time, along with brake fluid. Tranny fluid every 3-4 weekends.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kingrat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I see 260 degrees Plus most weekends so Oil and filter is changed every time, along with brake fluid. Tranny fluid every 3-4 weekends. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Funny, we do oil/filter/gear oil every weekend and partially bleed brake fluid only every 3 or 4 weekends (when we swap calipers or on the rare occasion boil the fluid).

 

Im tending to change rotors and pads every 2 weekends. After losing brakes one time in turn 4 at summit, Im a little OTT when it comes to brake prep. should have seen the brakes on fire......

 

brake ducts are your friend

 

Alright, I'm not an actual racer (but I do play one on TV), but I did track my car every couple months, and when I was getting ready to sell the car I sent a sample in to Blackstone. The oil was changed the week before the event, and includes the drive to the track (ITR Expo 03), the track weekend, the drive home, then maybe another week before I changed it again.

Here is what they said:



and the actual numbers:



Looks like they thought I could go well beyond the change interval i used for that trip. Your results may vary.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kingrat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I see 260 degrees Plus most weekends so Oil and filter is changed every time, along with brake fluid. Tranny fluid every 3-4 weekends. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You really need a oil cooler!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kingrat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Im tending to change rotors and pads every 2 weekends. After losing brakes one time in turn 4 at summit, Im a little OTT when it comes to brake prep. should have seen the brakes on fire...... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Which car is this?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civicrr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You really need a oil cooler!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Got One and brake ducts too... FOr some reason this car has always run hot on oil temp. must be way I drive it!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Which car is this?</TD></TR></TABLE>

GSR. I just polish the 944 between race weekends....