I'm not trying to start a fight, T.O.M., but what you are describing is often caused by mixing Brand X 100:1 formula oil at ratios much lower than 100:1, such as 40:1. I've seen people bragging in print on the internet (no - not you) about giving their engines "extra protection" by over loading their engines with way too much oil. Then they ***** and complain that Brand X oil is garbage after using it incorrectly and loading their engines up with the glass hard deposits that you describe.

Plain black carbon build-up is not typically considered a defective symptom in mineral base lubricated engines. I'd rather have to disassemble and remove carbon, than to run a synthetic oil that removes metal from the engine in accelerated wear.

Yes, I know that some synthetic oils have approached the barrier of providing clean engine service without permitting excessive engine wear and that that is what we are talking about here. My point is that just a little deviation from the recommended gas/oil mix ratios can provide extremely unsatisfactory results in some instances. That, and it is a Wednesday morning with nothing much to do today - so have at it! (smile)


Ed Cregger