Scooterotica

I have used Rock Synthesis 2 for a while now, just about to order more and came across this from MR.B any opinions?
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 864&type=1

Funny thing is that I've been using Groundsman semi by Rockoil for a couple of years now and had no problems, however, I'd not used Rockoil products since the mid 90s as I'd run into issues with it separating out of the petrol when the weather turned colder. Every time the temperature dropped the oil would settle out and become a thick goo in the bottom of the tank and float bowl, necessitating a carb strip/clean and a prolonged shake of the tank. I decided then that I'd not use Rockoil again.

However, I do know others that have used Rockoil for decades with nothing but good things to say about it, and these are guys that do some serious miles. As such, I do think that this might come down to different versions of their 2-stroke oil, some being more prone to separation problems than others. Please note that the type that I had repeat issue with was intended for road use as pre-mix or autolube so this wasn't a case of being a copetition pre-mix that needs to be thoroughly shaken before each event.

I know that Rockoil has served many people reliably for years and I've not had any problems from using their cheapest of the cheap (bulk buy), hoever, it is the only oil that I've ever had obvious issue with.

Also, please note that it was not a case of me mixing 2 different types of oil (e.g. synth and mineral) and finding that they didn't mix. I bought a bulk buy of bottles and was using solely this oil for a period of many months... a headache for months too!

Adam

It's interesting. But I think you'd really need to see if this was the case across the board with that particular oil in engines that aren't so highly tuned.

Strangely I had cause for concern about Rockoil this week as I was mixing a litre of fuel to bung in the RB22 for a test run.

I used a plastic measuring jug and fresh fuel to mix in and was alarmed to see that the fully synth oil was just not mixing at all!

It stayed like a blob at the bottom of the jug and was only with a real good shake about that it started to mix.

I did some googling and found references to other people having such problems when the weather is cold - which it was when I was doing the mixing.

No such problem with the Exol...

^... seemingly exactly the same as my experience.

What is worring is that I wouldn't have found out about this if the goo wasn't so thick that it blocked the jets. Otherwise you would be riding around on neat petrol with no oil is suspension... until you went onto reserve and blocked your fuel tap!

Adam

Still not ditching my drum of Groundsman.

I drained my tank of fuel yesterday to check as I use the groundsman and found that all was ok There was no lumpiness or separation of oil and fuel. Mine was very cold as it was in the work shed...surprised it didn't come out as slush.....lol

Sorry if my statements have confused the issue, my experience of problems with Rockoil were related to their higher spec' motorcycle oils not their Groundsman product. Indeed, Groundsman is the only oil that I've been using for the last few years, without issue. I'm already well into my 2nd 20 litre drum.

Groundsman has not given me any separation issues and the couple of times that I've drained my tank to get rid of water contamination, the petroil has been a constant colour with oil nicely mixed.

Adam

PS - Please note that I'm not recommending Groundsman, I'm just pointing out that I've had no problems with this Rockoil product, whereas I have had issues with the higher spec product.

That's it I think. I've never had a problem using PP2 and it's worth remembering that this is a highly tuned engine we are talking about. I don't really know a lot about oils in general, but I do know that cheaper oils actually contain more oil, whereas expensive synthetics are more polymer based. I wonder if they are not a bit volatile? Maybe the broad brush approach of a less refined oil is preferable and probably more durable, simply because it's got more oil in it?

Adam_Winstone wrote: PS - Please note that I'm not recommending Groundsman, I'm just pointing out that I've had no problems with this Rockoil product, whereas I have had issues with the higher spec product.

I'm surprised at you Adam oil is an exponentially more controversial a subject than piston shims....