Good points, Ben..
But, like I said.. I'm looking for facts, and actual test data..
95% of the postings in a forum are "opinion"..
I wish there was more example and parameter attached to these opinion,
..especially because y'all go out, and run "the same way" site after site, but..
"Defining Detail" ..to completely understand the context of the example is NEVER posted here..
Getting "crappy milage out of that crappy engine" isn't a Helpful statement to the community,
..if we don't get to see the half-plugged air filter dude never changes.
I have NEVER seen ANY "equipment evaluation post" we could actually use
.. as a case study..
Things that might seem unimportant to one person, may be severely relative tothe resultant point..
here's a few details:
What oils was used, how often serviced,
whether it is mounted in a confined space, ..causing it to run hot,
..and have a partially plugged air filter MOST of the time ?
what performance level was expected of it, .. was the pump running at full tilt
..AND drawing from a holding tank, with a wimpy filter ??
what altitude it was run at ? ..causing it to run leaner than at sea-level ?
Does it have an air filter half plugged, or missing completely ?
ambient running temperature, .. 105 degr. is a bit different than 15degr.
..both are their own problems.
is it subject to corrosive ocean-air ?
was it run with gas-diluted oil.. ever ?
did it sit (with the same fuel in the tank) for a month between uses ?
..yes, THAT can make a difference, in specific failures.
Is the engine run at 3000rpm instead of 3600 ?
..and I believe, if truth was told.. for the care and feeding of their equipment..
only about 2 people, in the entire community has a complete process-proceedure
.. in check-list form ..and perfectly managed.
I have never seen ANYone ANYwhere post "admission of guilt"
..in NOT having a hard-lined set of Process Proceedures
..which reminds me.. I haven't checked the oil in my truck for over 2 weeks :{/