California Side Car (CSC) and synthetics

[Bronson512]

I read the other post about changing differential oil and it reminded me about the warning in my CSC service manual. Why do they (CSC) tell you absolutely to use no synthetic oil in their differential?

I'm not disagreeing with them as it's their product. I'm only asking what negative properties could synthetic have for CSC to prohibit their use???

 

[mhgoldwing]

I read the other post about changing differential oil and it reminded me about the warning in my CSC service manual. Why do they (CSC) tell you absolutely to use no synthetic oil in their differential?

I'm not disagreeing with them as it's their product. I'm only asking what negative properties could synthetic have for CSC to prohibit their use???

I don't know why but I do know that Roadsmith says the same thing. Be interested to find out why.

 

[Rosy]

From what I've read, synthetics can have a detrimental effect of certain plastics, metals, seals, and paints. Some do not do very well with water.
So, I guess if you say no synthetics, then you cover yourself with the detrimental effects above.
Rosy

 

[Bronson512]

From what I've read, synthetics can have a detrimental effect of certain plastics, metals, seals, and paints. Some do not do very well with water.
So, I guess if you say no synthetics, then you cover yourself with the detrimental effects above.
Rosy

I spoke with the Amsoil guy at Wings over Smokies and he had no idea why a Synthetic lube be prohibited in their differentials but said he would try and find out. I will give him a call.

 

[jjvw]

Some of the older synthetics did effect rubber. Present day synthetics have additives to control that.

 

[alienwulf]

Was doing some reading on this subject and found several sites that state the following. Even read where Champion said never needs attention unless a leak is found..
"For normal driving conditions some car manufacturers recommend changing gear oil every 60,000-80,000, while others advise inspecting the gear oil at regular services and change if dirty. Ford goes even further and for some models for normal driving conditions does not recommend changing synthetic gear oil in rear axles and power take off (PTO) units (transfer cases), saying they are lubricated for life. However, we found plenty of disagreement among technical experts". Rear differential, Subaru Impreza

Many suggest to change the gear oil at least at 80,000 miles.

 

[Bronson512]

From what I've read, synthetics can have a detrimental effect of certain plastics, metals, seals, and paints.........................................

Rosy help me with these please. In this context and speaking of a differential, are you speaking in other applications?

...................Some do not do very well with water........................

Sorry, I'm not trying to cause problems, again just trying to understand, are you speaking if water got into the system accidentally?

.............................So, I guess if you say no synthetics, then you cover yourself with the detrimental effects above.........................
Rosy

I haven't used synthetic gear lube in anything but my 1500 once but the fact that CSC specifically prohibited it caught my eye.
I've been a fan of synthetics oil for many years, several friends used to poke fun at me for paying the higher price to go synthetic. Now the cost is pretty close. I really can't say for sure as I haven't bought any non-synthetic for years. I do use non-synthetic in my push mower and my tiller, both have Briggs the rest is Synthetic.

 

[Phu Cat]

When I was a (dumb) young pup and just getting into bikes I liked to try to one up the manufacturers, but was never able to. After many costly mistakes I finally learned they have the education and probably have a good reason for recommending the things they do for their products, probably after a lot of testing. Then, over the years I picked up a job (long story) in the chemical industry and learned by other people's mistakes that mixing the wrong chemicals together can have disastrous effects. So when a manufacturer tells me it's a good idea to use a certain product in conjunction with his product, A) it might just be an attempt to sell more of his product or B) it might actually improve the performance of his product. BUT, when a manufacturer specifically tells me to avoid using a certain product with his product I've found it's usually for a pretty good reason so I follow those instructions. Unless you know chemistry well, be on good terms with your local pharmacist of fire department!

PC

 

[Bronson512]

Phi Cat, I agree, with what you said especially the part about a mfg telling you to use certain products vs Do Not use a certain product. No problem with that.

This might be the one thing I dislike about a forum. Printed black & white communications. My command of the English language is not good enough and many times I get to wordy only to confuse things for the readers. I don't ever plan to go against CSC instructions. Maybe I should have been from Missouri (sorry to offend you good people from the show me state) I'm only trying to see if someone might know the issues CSC has with synthetics. Rosy pointed out some possible issues and I was hoping to get a further explanation. Cheers

 

[bikerbillone]

I'll be following this thread, surely there are Road Smith and CSC owners that are using Synthetic in the differential. I'd have to do a re-read, but I don't recall seeing any exception in my Road Smith manual. I'm not advocating using synthetic, I'd just like to know.

 

[Bronson512]

I did place a call with the Amsoil man yesterday as I mentioned in above post. He was not in so I left a message reminding him of our conversation and requested a return call. We'll see about that I guess. He was supposed to call CSC to get the lowdown. It will be posted here as soon as I hear something.

 

[Phu Cat]

Frankly Bronson, my command of the English language is all that good either. And I'm curious to see where this goes and what new info it may turn up. It's always a learning experience for me. But when we're talkin chemistry, 2+2 doesn't always=4 for me.

PC

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Frankly Bronson, my command of the English language is all that good either. And I'm curious to see where this goes and what new info it may turn up. It's always a learning experience for me. But when we're talkin chemistry, 2+2 doesn't always=4 for me even tho I worked in the chemical industry.

PC