Category: Maintenance

How To Cross Reference NGK Spark Plugs

I’ve got an old beat up snow blower that needs a new plug for the Tecumseh Sno-King engine.
There is a Champion plug in there right now with the model number RJ19LM.

The easiest way to find the AMSOIL NGK plug stock number is to use the NGK Plugs and Wires Cross Reference found on the right side links of the amsoil.com website.

Type in “RJ19LM” into the Manufacture Part Number text box and click the “Cross Reference” button to look for matching plugs/wires.

It will return a table similar to this or an empty table if a matching product can’t be found:

Part Type        NGK Part Number      AMSOIL Stock Code      
Plugs BR2LM NGK5798

Vibe Oil Change

I used the vacation day to change the AMSOIL XL 5W-30 oil in the vibe using a Mann ML1009 oil filter and rotated the tires today.

I love my air tools. The Stanley impact wrench makes short work of getting the lugs off the wheels. The Vibes rear driver side studs are really sticky and corroded. Not sure if the impact wrench or a breaker bar is best for stuck and corroded threads on the fasteners. Switching out the Vibes winter tires in the spring I snapped a stud in the lug trying to get them off with the impact wrench. The corrosion seems to be worse with the rear drums than the front rotors. DO NOT use anti-seize or oil on those lug threads!

Don’t forget to change the oil in your compressor this fall to keep those air tools running strong. My impact wrench is very efficient working on a home duty 5 gallon tank – but most are air pigs.

AMSOIL Marine Products

I spent last weekend up north watching boats cruise by – some were towing skiers and tubes behind them others just out to visit friends at another dock. Fisherman weren’t to be seen on our section of the lake as it was far to warm in the bay – nothing but rock bass to tease with worms below us in the cribs of the dock.

How many hours do you have on your motor this season? Have a listen the next time you try to start your engine on a really cold morning? Could it be better by replacing your lower gear oil with a synthetic?

You can count on the AMSOIL marine products used in your boat with proper maintenance to keep it running strong on the water and away from the marina repair shop during the season.

Read on for AMSOIL product applications and suggestions.
Continue reading AMSOIL Marine Products

Signature Series Showcased in Magazine Ads

AMSOIL has showcased its Signature Series Synthetic Motor Oil line in two national print magazines Car & Driver and Popular Mechanics.

As an AMSOIL independent dealer I’m looking forward to working with people who have read the ads and are interested in more information about AMSOIL products and business opportunities. Feel free to reach out and contact me directly for more information or though the AMSOIL online store.

AMSOIL has a wealth of excellent products above and beyond automotive applications. Motorcycles, ATV’s, watercraft and all kinds of outdoor power equipment just to name a few.

Ride Hard, Run Cool

Air cooled engines on motorcycles can really get hot when you’re stuck in traffic and the ambient temperature is already up near 30°C.

Synthetic motorcycle oils have a lower sump temperature than mineral oils due to their consistent oil particle sizes. AMSOILs oils are reported to run even cooler than the HD Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 oils. The reason for this is pretty simple.

AMSOIL makes oil, Harley-Davidson makes motorcycles.

Plan ahead for your bikes maintenance this fall with an AMSOIL dealer and save money compared to buying products off the shelf of your local retail stores.

You can shop online for AMSOIL motorcycle products for any make and model. You can look up the recommendations for your bike using the Motorcycle Products Look-up Tool. Harley owners can check out the suggested oils and cross references.

AMSOIL Expands Motor Oil Offerings

Good news for both lube shops and those with newer Ford, Toyota or Honda’s. AMSOIL has brought on board offerings for 0W-20 oils with the standard pricing for each respective line. OEZ should do quite well in the OE line of oils as your best value to maintain your new car warranty.

If your vehicle takes a 0W-20 oil you don’t have the opportunity to use a basic mineral oil. You’ll have to purchase at least a blended or semi-synthetic oil to get down to the 0 weight at start-up. Some car manufacturers allow a 5W-20 to be used but suggest going back to a 0W-20 as soon as possible.

I’d suggest stepping up to a quality synthetic oil like AMSOIL. Here is what the press release had to say about the new offerings:

With the continuing trend toward lighter viscosity motor oils, AMSOIL has expanded the Signature Series, XL and OE lines. The Signature Series line now includes a 5W-20 oil (ALM), while the XL and OE lines now each include a 0W-20 oil (XLZ, OEZ). Like the other oils in their respective lines, each new oil is formulated to provide outstanding protection and performance and meet the latest API SN/ILSAC GF-5 specifications. XL and OE 0W-20 are API licensed.

Fuel Economy and Friction Losses

A great article was published in the July Preferred Customers edition of AMSOIL Magazine titled “Frictional losses account for big part of fuel energy inputs“.

The article shows where most of the energy associated with a unit of fuel is consumed or wasted by a vehicle. The spoiler is that only about 12.6% of the fuel energy is passed through the system to drive the wheels of the vehicle. Think how your fuel economy could improve if you could decrease wasted energy by friction – even small gains in reducing friction will add up at the pump.

Some of the AMSOIL fluids you can install in your vehicle to reduce friction include: Continue reading Fuel Economy and Friction Losses

2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Differental & Transfer Case

I took my 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander to Erin Mills Master Mechanic to get the transfer case and rear diff fluids changed out. Replacing the OEM fluid with AMSOIL Severe Gear® Synthetic Extreme Pressure (EP) Gear Lube 75W-90 (SVG).

I wasn’t confident about my plan to use wheel ramps on the down slope of my driveway to get an almost level vehicle. What I really needed was a lift so I reached out for some help to the local mechanic shops in my area. Master Mechanic Erin Mills was happy to install my own fluids for reasonable labour rates. An average oil and filter change would run abut $20 – call ahead to make sure the bays aren’t filled.

Back to the rear diff. The drain plug has a 10mm hex head which is near the bottom, not sure of the size of the fill plug above it to the right.

It is a really simple drain and fill – make sure you get the fill bolt cracked before you try the drain. Once you get the drain out, open the fill completely and make sure your catch basin is in a good spot for full flow – it’s only ~0.5L so there isn’t as much head pressure as the crankcase oil. You require a level vehicle to fill the diff/transfer case. Pump in the new fluid until it overflows then insert the fill plug and you’re done.
Continue reading 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander Differental & Transfer Case

Mobil 1 On Sale @ Canadian Tire This Week

Mobil 1 SuperSyn and Extended Performance are on sale this week at my local Canadian Tire. Sale prices are $35.99 (Reg $47.99) for SuperSyn or $41.99 (Reg $55.99) for the EP – both in 4.4L jugs. AMSOIL pricing is easily competitive and the products are even better.

The best part about AMSOIL is the fact you don’t have to wait for a sale, then go to the store only to find out the 7 bottles they had in stock sold out on the first morning of the sale. This used to happen to me. AMSOIL is available to you with 2 days notice any time you need it – no need to stockpile oil or filters.

I’d put the AMSOIL XL line of oils against the Mobil 1 SuperSyn and the Signature Series with the Extended Performance. They don’t quite match up “apples to apples”, but they are close.

Before you spend $36 on 4.4L of SuperSyn ask me how you can get AMSOIL Extended Life (XL) oil for around $33 – any time you need it.