Low saps! whassit all mean?

veralum · Post by **veralum** » 14 Jun 2010, 03:00

is this better for our cars? if so why? will it give m an extra 10 bhp?

Post by **CitroJim** » 14 Jun 2010, 06:32

What's a low sap when it is at home

New one on me

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 14 Jun 2010, 08:04

maybe it just SAP's you wallet a bit slower than other modle's

regards malcolm

Post by **Paul-R** » 14 Jun 2010, 09:53

It's oil that's been developed for engines with particle filters. Basically the oil, when burnt in the engine, produces less ash to clog the filter up.

Post by **CitroJim** » 14 Jun 2010, 10:54

But surely engines shouldn't burn oil Paul

Unless it's a 2-stroke and I can't think of any current car with a 2-stroke engine....

Sounds like another variety of "Snake Oil" or a clever advertsining gimmick

Post by **Paul-R** » 14 Jun 2010, 12:23

We're not talking two-strokes here! All engines burn oil, even if it's in miniscule amounts. Low SAPS (Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur) oil is designed to reduce even further the solid particulates that any engine produces.

In fact there's a thread I've read somewhere (maybe not this forum

) discussing the merits of using two-stroke oil as an additive to derv on the grounds that, being designed for two-stroke engine, it will produce less particulates. Me, I'm not so sure.

jimleshed · Post by **jimleshed** » 14 Jun 2010, 15:15

I would have thought that 2 stroke oil would cause as many problems as ordinary oils?
I used to work on 2 stroke bikes a lot, and the exhausts were always needing de-coking, and from the amount of blue smoke they create you can see why....I guess the blue smoke might look better than standard diesel black though!

Post by **Paul-R** » 14 Jun 2010, 17:34

The thread was discussing ways of adding lubricity to low sulphur derv. Like I say, I'm not convinced.

rmunns · Post by **rmunns** » 14 Jun 2010, 17:35

Sounds like another con. No doubt much more expensive. More and more I am of the belief that the golden age of cars has passed. The last few years has seen many many instances of gruesomely complicated servicing needs. IMHO the benefits are nowhere near worthwhile. Including emissions. I've resolved to always buy cars made before 2000.

At 150gm of CO2 per km an average engine will emit about 40tonnes of CO2 in its lifetime. That would only fill a cube of 27metres.

13 Million cars in UK emit about 40Million tonnes of CO2 in a year. That's a 270 metre cube full.

Doesn't seem a lot to me.

Figures are worked out at a density for CO2 of 2kg/cubicmetre

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Post by **CitroJim** » 14 Jun 2010, 20:30

Thanks Paul for the explanations

I'm not convinced 2-stroke oil is a good replacement for sulphur in diesel either! After all, it's designed to do a very specific and very different job.

I'd have thought still that the amount of oil burned in a modern engine would be so tiny as to be of no account. Maybe modern engines burn more than our XU and ES engines perhaps. I know I never have to top up any of mine between changes but that's not the case with my neighbour's Passat or indeed my other neighbour's Focus so perhaps the problem is there..

I recall that modern oils have a lot less zinc in them these days. Zinc is/was a very effective anti-wear additive but is not good for the health of anything if burned. Also, I believe zinc has a similar effect on cats to lead.

I'm of the school of thought that there is a lot to be said for keeping a pre-2000 car on the go, just a shame we get stung so hard for road tax

Post by **myglaren** » 14 Jun 2010, 20:45

CitroJim wrote: I'd have thought still that the amount of oil burned in a modern engine would be so tiny as to be of no account. Maybe modern engines burn more than our XU and ES engines perhaps. I know I never have to top up any of mine between changes but that's not the case with my neighbour's Passat or indeed my other neighbour's Focus so perhaps the problem is there..
(

Mine uses negligible amounts and doesn't get topped up between services, although servicing is done at less than the recommended 12,000 miles.

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 14 Jun 2010, 22:42

effect on cats to lead.

the last time I fed mine that it became very lazy