Question Aeroshell vs Phillips engine oil?

[Neal]

It's come up a few times on the Aeroshell vs Phillips, what do you use and why? I personally have a variant of the Lycoming IO-360. I asked the Lycoming booth at EAA AirVenture and they wouldn't answer the question, they just provide the spec for you to decide. Curious what others choose and why.

 

[ve6yeq]

I have not yet taken delivery on my FX-3 (counting down the days now), but I am planning on using a mineral oil with CamGuard after much reading including Mike Busch and a forum post from the engineer behind CamGuard explaining the design criteria behind it.

 

[Waldom]

"Mineral oil" usually refers to a non-detergent oil that some use during an engine's break-in period. In this context, Mr. Busch may be referring to any oil that is not synthetic or partly synthetic.

The small Continental engine "guru" that built my C90-8 engine recommended using straight grade detergent oil and CamGuard after break-in and I have been happy with that combination in the 800 hours I have run it.

I wouldn't use CamGuard in an engine with new cylinders on it until the piston rings have seated. It lubricates well enough that the rings would take a long time to seat. You will know that the rings have seated when initial oil consumption goes down.

Neal, I don't have the technical knowledge on which to base an opinion on Aeroshell or Phillips oils. I will say that a slight majority of the mechanics I know recommend Phillips 20W50 after the break-in period.