Why I'm switching BACK to Honda oil

[kDiqq_imp]

If any of you have seen the other oil thread, you'll know I am an advocate of better oils as proven by UOAs. I have used Amsoil in a ton of bikes with superb results, had analysis done, and know a thing or two about lubricants. Recently though, I conceded.

I've been running Amsoil 5W-30 (as Honda suggests) in my CB. Since this change, I have had an alarming (but non-threatening) rattle coming from the oil pan when warming up. Didn't bother me, I just let it warm up and it went away. What is not negotiable though is the weeping I now have at the valve cover gasket. Yup. Around 3k miles and the gasket is leaking. I KNOW this is not right. My bike doesn't have an easy life (hot, traffic, beating on it, etc) but I have never pushed the bike beyond what the manufacturer allows, never gotten an overtemp light and have used a KNOWN good performer oil. Something about the weight of the Honda oil is lying. I'm nearly certain. It's VERY thin when cold as many of you can observe it dripping back quicker. Contrary to popular belief though, this is not beneficial. As long as you have adequate oil pressure, you want the oil to be sticking to non-pressurized, high wear items like your cams, wrist pins, transmission, etc. And when hot, it doesn't thin enough to weep through the valve cover. I will be doing a UOA on this oil to verify the weight though once I can get a few cycles through the engine.

I'm sad that I have to change oils due to a leak and rattle, but this could be the intended purpose of Honda using their oil. In the same way that certain Mobil oils test thinner than advertised, Honda oils may not have the same weight range as advertised. While I do not think any damage has been done to my engine, I can't tolerate what this oil is doing. To everyone I argued with, I'm sorry haha There was more to this than meets the eye.

[Lord Popgun]

And so it begins...

[jmc1100_imp]

I don' get it..MA oil should work..Never used Amsoil, I use honda oil...

[kDiqq_imp]

MA/MA2 refers to the wet clutch properties. And any oil that meets Hondas specs (JASO MA2, SL/CF, etc) is acceptable as long as your intervals are okay. But it appears that Amsoil 10w30 (accidentally said 5w30 above) causes weeping and the rattling in the oil pan for me...

[CIP57_imp]

[url=http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/cipolla57/media/photo_zpsxtvv0wsy.jpg.html]

I have sweating around the upper fins only on the left side of the engine. You can see in the pic after only a warm-up and 10mile ride residue on the fins. It will make its way down to the 2nd or 3rd fin and work its way around the side to the rear of the fins. One other member has had the same problem in the exact same spot. Could have been a bad run in manufacturing. I live with it for now since its not really a problem YET!!!

Edit: I use only Honda 10-30 full synthetic oil, don't think the oil you use created this problem.

[rut3556_imp]

>>I've been running Amsoil 5W-30 (as Honda suggests) in my CB.<<

I'd be very surprised if this is the cause of your problems. I've used (and still use) Amsoil synthetic in my motorcycles, cars, trucks, and multiple diesel tractors, and have never had a problem. (and I'm going back ~25 yrs. or so)

[Lord Popgun]

rut,

The engine noise has been reported by a number of owners when using other than the Honda oil. No definitive answer on why though.

I'm not saying to only use Honda oil, just that there have been noise reports. And yet, some have no problems at all.

[meowguy_imp]

5 W 30 is not a recommended oil for the CB1100. The recommended oil is 10 W 30 Honda Four Stroke Engine Oil available as GN4 from you local Honda dealer. Put that in your bike and you can feel warm and fuzzy all over knowing you are not going to hurt your machine. If you want, change it more often, but it will do no harm.

I know you all just had to post another oil thread to see if I was still alive. Although I have a herniated disk, I am still kicking and checking the forum for interesting threads such as this.


Sent using Tapatalk.

[NightRider_imp]

Oh no? We think Honda might be right about using their oil? I cannot see it. Obviously I know more than those engineers and have always used automatic transmission fluid, cut with water 50/50 with some added to the fuel for good measure. Someday I'm going to buy the shop manual and rewrite it for them.

"I know that's right".

[url=http://s1034.photobucket.com/user/cipolla57/media/photo_zpsxtvv0wsy.jpg.html]

I have sweating around the upper fins only on the left side of the engine. You can see in the pic after only a warm-up and 10mile ride residue on the fins. It will make its way down to the 2nd or 3rd fin and work its way around the side to the rear of the fins. One other member has had the same problem in the exact same spot. Could have been a bad run in manufacturing. I live with it for now since its not really a problem YET!!!

Edit: I use only Honda 10-30 full synthetic oil, don't think the oil you use created this problem.

You know, that actually looks like auto transmission fluid...are you sure...?

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

Used Honda oil at the first change, then the dealer used their preferred lube, Amsoil at 5k. No issues. At 8500 miles now.