Automotive chemicals, oils and lubricants (BMW 7 Series E38)

There are many chemicals, oils, and lubricants available for sale that are essential for routine maintenance and repair of a vehicle. These include a wide range of chemical and petroleum products, from cleaning compounds and solvents to oils, greases, and aerosols to protect rubber and plastic components of a vehicle.

Cleaners

Cleaner for injection systems and air flaps is a powerful solvent for resins, carbon deposits and carbon deposits. Most cleaners leave behind a dry-type lubricating film that does not harden or become resinous over time. It is because of the formation of such a film that these cleaners are not recommended for use in cleaning electrical components.

Brake system cleaner is used to remove traces of grease and brake fluid from the surfaces of brake system components, where absolute cleanliness is a primary condition for efficient operation. The cleaner leaves no traces and in many cases eliminates the squeal of brake mechanisms caused by contamination of their components.

Electrical Component Cleaner helps to remove oxide films, traces of corrosion and carbon deposits from contact surfaces without disrupting electrical conductivity. It can also be used to clean spark plugs, jets, voltage regulators and other units where complete cleaning from oil and grease is desired.

Desiccants are used to remove water and moisture from the surfaces of electrical components such as generators, voltage regulators, fuse boxes, electrical connectors, etc. Desiccants are generally non-conductive, non-corrosive, and non-flammable.



Degreasers are super-strong solvents and are used to remove traces of grease from the outer surfaces of the engine and chassis components. They are available in the form of aerosols or applied with a brush or brush and, depending on the type, are washed off with either water or solvent.

Lubricants

Engine oils are specially developed compounds for lubricating internal engine components. They usually contain a wide range of different additives that prevent foaming and corrosion. Engine oils are available in different viscosity grades - from 5 to 80. The need to use a particular grade of oil is usually determined by climatic conditions and the requirements of a specific engine. Liquid (light) oils typically used in cold climates and with light engine loads. Heavy (viscous) oils used in hot conditions and under increased engine loads. All-season oils have characteristics of both light and heavy oils and are typically designated 5W-20 to 20W-50.

Qualities of motor oils

All-season oils are relatively inexpensive oils with the following qualities:

• Year-round use in temperate climate zones;
• Excellent cleaning properties;
• Good lubricating ability at all temperatures and engine loads;
• High stability of initial properties over a long period of time.

All-season oils with improved antifriction properties have, in addition, additional advantages:

• Year-round use in a wide range of outdoor temperatures;
• Low engine power losses due to friction;
• Facilitates cold engine starting – even at very low temperatures.

When using SAE 5W-30 all-season oils, prolonged engine operation at high speeds and constant heavy engine loads should be avoided. These restrictions do not apply to all-season oils with improved antifriction properties.

Seasonal oils, due to their specific viscosity-temperature properties, usually cannot be used all year round; they should only be used in extreme climate zones.

Using additives and mixing oils

No additives should be added to engine oils that reduce friction losses.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to mix engine oils, even if they are oils from companies with a "world-famous" name (Shell, Mobil, British Petroleum). Each company, when producing oils, adds a whole range of additives to their base, the chemical composition of which is kept secret. Therefore, there are many high-quality oils of the same purpose that meet the requirements of API specifications (US Petroleum Institute) and ACEA (European Association of Automobile Constructors), but manufactured using technologies from different companies, when mixed, they can create low-quality mixtures due to the interaction and mutual destruction of additives, i.e. their "incompatibility". Oils from different companies are interchangeable, and engine developers often indicate the possibility of using such oils. But this does not mean that they can be mixed. API and ACEA specifications require mandatory identical testing methods (laboratory, bench - engine, etc.) for oils from different companies. If desired, (or necessity) developers may introduce additional tests (or more stringent conditions). The same applies to mixing mineral or synthetic oils (sometimes even from the same company).

Mixing foreign and domestic oils, especially those made with the addition of "domestic" additives, is not allowed at the very least. Neither the seller nor the consumer knows the composition of the additives that are in the oils. Some oils of "domestic origin" are produced by "companies" that do not have even basic knowledge of petroleum products. Sometimes such "specialists" use waste oils (even without proper regeneration) to the production of "commodity" products. And the corresponding quality.



Trying to reduce oil burn-off in an old engine and increase compression in the cylinders by using high-viscosity oils is not practical, as this will only lead to temporary improvement. In the future, engine repairs will cost more.

It is a good idea to use the same brand of high-quality oil that is appropriate for the engine (according to specification) and don't risk mixing it with the same synthetic (or semi-synthetic) oil. The engine will thank you for this with reliable operation. Do not buy oil from hands, as the packaging is easy to counterfeit.

Transmission oil designed for use in differentials, gearboxes and other applications where high temperature resistance is required.

Lubricant for chassis components and wheel bearings is a thick lubricant used in components subject to increased loads and friction, such as wheel bearings, suspension ball joints, steering rod ends and cardan joints.

High Temperature Wheel Bearing Grease is able to withstand the effects of high temperatures that occur in wheel bearings of vehicles equipped with disc brakes. This is usually a grease containing MoS2.

White grease (tsiatim) is a thick lubricant applied to metal surfaces in contact with each other in places where there are problems with increased moisture. It remains soft at both low and high temperatures, is not washed out or diluted by water.

Assembly grease used in high pressure conditions, usually contains molybdenum and is used to lubricate components subject to increased loads (such as main and connecting rod bearings and cam lobes) before the first engine start after a major overhaul.



Silicone lubricants used to protect rubber, plastic, vinyl and nylon components.

Graphite lubricants are used where oil cannot be used due to contamination problems (for example, in castles). Dry graphite perfectly lubricates metal parts, preventing the impact of moisture, acids and other aggressive contaminants on them. The lubricant is electrically conductive and does not disrupt contact in such units as, for example, the ignition switch.

Molybdenum-containing penetrating compounds they are used to facilitate the release of "stuck" fasteners, as well as to lubricate fasteners to prevent corrosion in the future.

Thermal conductive grease is non-conductive and is used for installing electronic ignition modules, which require intensive heat dissipation.

Sealants

RTV sealant is the most widely used gasket sealant. It is made on the basis of silicon, hardens in air, provides sealing, adhesion, is waterproof, fills surface defects, remains elastic, does not shrink or shrink, is relatively easy to remove and is used in addition to almost all gaskets on units where temperatures do not exceed average values.

Anaerobic sealant, unlike RTV sealant, can be used not only in addition to gaskets, but also to form them. It remains elastic, is resistant to solvents and fills surface irregularities well. The main difference from RTV sealant is in the curing conditions. While RTV sealant begins to harden after exposure to air, anaerobic sealant only hardens in the absence of air. This means that such sealant hardens only after assembling the components and pressing them tightly together.



Sealant for pipes and threaded connections used to seal nipple connections of hydraulic, pneumatic and vacuum lines. Usually made on the basis of Teflon compound and supplied in the form of aerosols, tape (FUM) or liquids applied like paint.

Chemicals

Anti-seize compound serves to prevent "sticking", corrosion, jamming and cold welding of fasteners. High-temperature anti-seizing sealants are usually made on the basis of copper-containing or graphite lubricants and are used in fasteners of the exhaust system and exhaust manifold.

Anaerobic gripping compounds are used to prevent spontaneous loosening of fasteners under the influence of vibrations and harden only after installation in the absence of contact with air. Medium-power gripping compounds are used to secure small fasteners that are subject to regular loosening. High-power compounds are usually used to lock large fasteners that are not released on a regular basis.

Oil additives are used to change the chemical properties of the oil without changing its viscosity in order to reduce internal friction in the engine. It should be noted that most manufacturers of motor oils do not recommend using any additives to them.

Fuel additives perform several functions at once, depending on their chemical composition. They usually contain solvents that help remove slag and carbon deposits from the internal surfaces and components of the fuel injection system and intake tract. In addition, the use of such additives helps remove carbon deposits that form on the walls of combustion chambers. Some additives contain substances that serve to lubricate the components of the upper part of the cylinder head (valve mechanism, piston rings), others help remove condensation from the walls of the fuel tank.

Others

Brake fluid is a specially developed compound that can withstand the effects of high temperatures and pressures that occur in the brake system. Avoid contact of brake fluid with painted surfaces of the car and exposed areas of the body. Brake fluid is poisonous. Keep brake fluid in a hermetically sealed container to prevent moisture from getting into it (the liquid is very hygroscopic) and dirt. During vehicle operation, brake fluid absorbs a certain amount of water from the surrounding air, which can lead to corrosion of the working brake system components. In addition, the boiling point of the brake fluid is significantly reduced, making it more likely for steam bubbles to form under heavy load on the brake system and, therefore, increasing the likelihood of brake failure. Therefore, brake fluid should be changed once a year. Use brake fluid that meets the vehicle specifications.

Adhesive for fixing sealing strips of body openings, as its name suggests, is used to secure sealing strips for door openings, windows and luggage compartment lids. It can be used to secure interior trim elements.

Anti-corrosion coating for the underbody of a car is a tar-like composition made on a petroleum base and serves as a protective coating for metal surfaces, preventing their corrosion. In addition, it performs the function of soundproofing the interior.

Waxes and polishes are used to protect painted surfaces from environmental influences. Different types of paint may require the use of different types of waxes and polishes. Some polishes contain abrasive or chemical additives that serve to remove the outer layer of oxides (tarnishings) from the painted surfaces of old cars. Recently, various types of wax-free polishes have become widely available on the market, which contain many chemical additives such as polymers or silicon-based substances. Such polishes are usually easier to apply and last longer than regular (wax) polishes.

[This article is based on information from the website bmwman.ru]