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thom4782 · 03-11-2013, 06:39 AM

My 2 cents...

Contaminated oil - that is oil that has not be changed over long intervals, either in miles or time - leads to seal degradation. The first condition is seen on all mileage range cars and the latter is seen in low mileage cars. After a while, the degradation becomes large enough for oil to mix with the bearing grease, but not big enough to wash the grease out completely. The mix of oil and grease causes both to lose their lubricating properties. The resulting friction leads to abnormal bearing wear. This eventually leads to failure. If the bearings were unsealed, they would be lubricated sufficiently by oil splashed on to them.

BTW: the IMS Solution, which is a plain bearing remedy as opposed to a ball bearing one, eliminates the possibility of losing 'valve control' that Jake mentioned.

03-11-2013, 06:39 AM	#8
thom4782 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Foster City CA Posts: 1,099	My 2 cents... Contaminated oil - that is oil that has not be changed over long intervals, either in miles or time - leads to seal degradation. The first condition is seen on all mileage range cars and the latter is seen in low mileage cars. After a while, the degradation becomes large enough for oil to mix with the bearing grease, but not big enough to wash the grease out completely. The mix of oil and grease causes both to lose their lubricating properties. The resulting friction leads to abnormal bearing wear. This eventually leads to failure. If the bearings were unsealed, they would be lubricated sufficiently by oil splashed on to them. BTW: the IMS Solution, which is a plain bearing remedy as opposed to a ball bearing one, eliminates the possibility of losing 'valve control' that Jake mentioned. Last edited by thom4782; 03-11-2013 at 06:44 AM.