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Author Topic: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??  (Read 3157 times)

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Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« on: January 29, 2021, 07:45:35 pm »
I'm new and want the best....I don't know if there is any difference? I will list the ones I have found. I want smooth running and max engine protection.

list:
Wilesco oil
PM Reasearch steam oil
Shell steam oil by mini steam
Mobil 600w super cyl oil

I can't find the last one yet in small quantities...I have also heard of Green Velvet steam oil but think may be out of business?
Just looking for top quality....any advice is welcome!
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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2021, 07:57:02 pm »
I use Green Velvet, I bought mine from a friend nearby that buys it in 55 gallon barrels and re-sells it.

CBWho bought it from a seller out of CA:

https://californialocomotive.com/products/green-velvet-sapon-a-max-320-steam-oil
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Nick

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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2021, 08:32:10 pm »
Keith Appleton (UK) posted a formula for a high grade easy to make steam oil ,Gear head Jed made up a few gallons a couple of years ago & I now have a lifetime supply. I have no less than 3 different steam oils that I use , 2 of them are Mobile 1 brands.
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2021, 08:35:37 pm »
Quote from: St Paul Steam on January 29, 2021, 08:32:10 pm
Keith Appleton (UK) posted a formula for a high grade easy to make steam oil ,Gear head Jed made up a few gallons a couple of years ago & I now have a lifetime supply. I have no less than 3 different steam oils that I use , 2 of them are Mobile 1 brands.

Hmm, so there is different grades....so what would you recommend in a Wilesco D20?
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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2021, 08:38:30 pm »
Quote from: ShadetreeMotorcycle on January 29, 2021, 08:35:37 pm
Hmm, so there is different grades....so what would you recommend in a Wilesco D20?

320 or 460, 600 may be bit thick for the Wilesco. They run wet, so you don’t need to worry too much.
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Nick

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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2021, 03:58:32 am »
As mentioned, the wet steam in these pretty much "lubricates" internal areas on its own, so all i use is a few drops of Wilesco oil before startup.
(On toy engines that is, other models get 320/460 steam oil.)
I find it much more important to keep bearings and connections oiled, with a good automotive lubricant like synthetic Mobil1, as it is in those parts i´ve found the biggest wear during the years.
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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2021, 08:20:08 am »
Quote from: classixs on January 30, 2021, 03:58:32 am
As mentioned, the wet steam in these pretty much "lubricates" internal areas on its own, so all i use is a few drops of Wilesco oil before startup.
(On toy engines that is, other models get 320/460 steam oil.)
I find it much more important to keep bearings and connections oiled, with a good automotive lubricant like synthetic Mobil1, as it is in those parts i´ve found the biggest wear during the years.

I appreciate this post, I watch a lot of YouTube videos of people running "toy" steam engines and many/most hit the steam chest first with oil....then I see them move on with the SAME oil dispenser to the oil cups and Rod bearings and other moving parts....from what I understand, Steam oil has tackifyers and other additives to keep it from washing away in the wet and heat....makes sense those ingredients may not flow the Best thru tiny oil cups or wick into nice tight fit rod bearings at room temperature...
   So what I am picking up on is Wilesco steam oil may be the thinnest steam oil yet well suited to wet running "toy" size engines...than as the size of the engine gets larger...or if the steam is dry or super heated we may want to keep moving up to thicker grades for better protection....?
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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2021, 01:26:30 pm »
That pretty much sums it up for me...

The main reason though, for my Wilesco oil addiction, is that its viscosity suits a Jensen perfectly, since the internal oiling has to be sucked in through the exhaust.
As already stated, as soon as we get to "grown up" toys, i would never use anything but fatter steam-oils, and on both types a good quality automotive oil for the rest.

One thing to keep in mind for future reference though, is that once you go all in, and finally purchase that >100 years old steam engine, it would be a wise move to use a simple mono-grade mineral oil on the outer parts, as theres some reports of newer oils attacking the old old-paints on those.
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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2021, 09:37:29 am »
Is there a Wilesco brand steam oil shortage in USA due to Covid??
   Every usa supply I find shows out of stock...I can order from Europe, but shipping is 6X cost of oil.
   There are a couple ebay listings of 1 bottle of oil bundle with 3 box's of Esbit...I am not a fan of Esbit.
  Anyone have a secret source of Wilesco oil in good olde USA?
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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2021, 03:13:51 pm »
The Mystery of the missing Wilesco oil has been Solved!
  I called a supplier to see what was going on...it seems Wilesco has been running a much reduced (covid) work force since we'll before Christmas....then they all take an extensive Holiday break (vacation)...Then Christmas made there all ready low shelves absolutely Bare!
  They are just now starting back up with small crew, so it may be some time before we see Wilsco product restock in USA.
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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2021, 04:10:02 pm »
Quote from: ShadetreeMotorcycle on February 03, 2021, 09:37:29 am
...I can order from Europe, but shipping is 6X cost of oil...
Not exactly, as far as i can tell, Peter is quite a bit cheaper than that:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/WILESCO-Z-83-DAMPFMASCHINEN-OEL/164117957483

It is sent as a letter, so even if additional ones is marked as free shipping, there is a limit to how many extra one can order, or it goes from letter to parcel weightwise.
Also, the shipment will go via boat, and most likely be at least a month before it hits your doorstep.
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Jan
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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #11 on: February 04, 2021, 06:02:40 pm »
Thanks Classixs!...I had ruled out shopping in Europe after the first couple listings seem so costly shipping.
  I loaded 4 bottles in my cart and all went well till I hit the payment button...I was prohibited from purchase....think I need to create an account on the German site....
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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2021, 04:26:36 am »
Score!!! I searched "Wilesco z83" rather than Wilesco oil on usa ebay site and Peter showed up And as the best price!...I was Easily able to order 4 bottles for Very cheap shipping!
(From USA site)
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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2021, 11:38:30 am »
Wow, I thought firearms threads were the epitome of lubrication rumbles.
Anyway, found some.

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Re: Best/Favorite model steam cyl oil??
« Reply #14 on: February 20, 2021, 12:49:24 pm »
I tend to favour thick steam oil like 680 where i can get it directly into the cylinder, for displacement lubricators i use 460 grade.
For bearings i use 220 grade, i have got some 100 grade which also works well and some super thin oil that came from MSM. As Jan has stated the thin oils are ideal for Jensens where you need to draw it up the exhaust.
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