let’s do acid hits and torture

We could label this segment a bad McMuffin experience. I was driving in the permian basin eating my egg McMuffin and all of a sudden I almost threw up. My nose had connected the Sulfur smell from the wells to my brain and the egg in my mouth. The brain said noooooo. I had to throw the wonderful, and certainly healthy fast food out the window. Not to worry it’s biodegradable! But it leads us to a valuable lesson about that cheap oil you purchased for your old car. You’re thinking it’s just oil, I’m saving $5 a quart. Well let’s look at what you aren’t saving, your engine parts from a torture they never want.

Crude oil has sulfur in it. It has lots of other bad stuff but sulfur is something you want to watch because you may have heard of a certain acid that is really bad. So let’s not speculate about crude oil in your car or truck, let’s ask AI to tell us about sulfur and engines. Here is its response after reading every book about engines, oils and cars:

When sulfur is present in an engine under heat and pressure, it undergoes chemical changes that can lead to several issues, especially in combustion engines. Here’s a breakdown of what happens:

1. Formation of Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂): At high temperatures, sulfur in the fuel or oil reacts with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide. This occurs in the combustion chamber where the heat from burning fuel provides the necessary conditions for sulfur to combine with oxygen.
2. Creation of Sulfur Trioxide (SO₃): Under even higher temperatures and in the presence of excess oxygen, sulfur dioxide can further react to form sulfur trioxide. This is typically less common but can occur in certain high-pressure environments.
3. Acid Formation: Both sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and sulfur trioxide (SO₃) can combine with water vapor in the engine to form sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). This is a significant concern, as sulfuric acid is highly corrosive and can damage engine components, such as pistons, cylinders, and exhaust systems. It can also lead to the formation of acid compounds in the oil, which may reduce the oil’s effectiveness and lifespan.
4. Corrosion: Sulfuric acid, which is formed from sulfur compounds, is highly corrosive. When sulfur-based compounds accumulate and combine with moisture in the engine, they can cause corrosion in critical engine parts, like bearings, valves, and exhaust systems, leading to potential engine failure over time.
5. Impact on Oil: The presence of sulfur in motor oil can lead to the formation of acid byproducts that break down the oil, reducing its lubrication properties and leading to faster engine wear. The oil may need to be changed more frequently in engines running on fuels or oils with higher sulfur content.

In summary, sulfur in engine environments can cause the formation of sulfur dioxide, sulfur trioxide, and ultimately sulfuric acid. These reactions can lead to corrosion, reduced oil effectiveness, and increased wear on engine components. That’s why reducing sulfur content in fuels and oils is key to enhancing engine longevity and performance.

If you watched Dorothy throw the water on the wicked witch of the west in the great movie Wizard of Oz then you know what sulfuric acid can do to your metal parts. I’m melting, melting…. Plant based oils don’t have Sulfur, they don’t have lots of other bad things like Tar. You know that when they refine crude oil they put the really bad stuff on gravel and that makes asphalt tar roads. But tar is just part of what sticks around if you are using petroleum based engine oils, the brown stuff on engine parts is called sludge, varnish and other things but it is impure leftovers from the crude oil process. If you start running plant based lubricants and oils you’ll avoid most of that process and things will stay running smoothly much much longer.

One last question ChatGPT. Do plant based motor oils have this issue with Sulfur?

Plant-based motor oils generally have much lower sulfur content compared to conventional petroleum-based oils. This is one of the benefits of using plant oils as base oils for lubricants. Here’s how plant-based oils address the sulfur issue:

1. Low or No Sulfur Content: Unlike crude oil, which can contain significant amounts of sulfur, most plant-based oils (such as those derived from soy, canola, or algae) contain little to no sulfur. This reduces the risk of sulfur-related issues like the formation of sulfuric acid, which can corrode engine parts and degrade oil quality.
2. Reduced Acid Formation: Because plant oils have lower sulfur content, they don’t form the same corrosive acids when exposed to heat and pressure in the engine. This helps to protect engine components, extending their lifespan and reducing maintenance needs.
3. Environmental Benefits: Lower sulfur content in plant-based oils also makes them less harmful to the environment. When burned, oils with higher sulfur levels release sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide, which can contribute to acid rain. By using plant-based oils, this environmental impact is reduced.
4. Better Lubrication and Performance: Without the acidic byproducts created by sulfur, plant-based oils are better at maintaining their lubrication properties for longer periods, especially in high-performance or high-temperature conditions, which helps reduce wear and tear on engine parts.

In summary, plant-based motor oils are less prone to the sulfur-related issues found in petroleum-based oils. They offer cleaner combustion, better protection for engine parts, and a more environmentally friendly option for engine lubrication.