Oil info-simple question I hope

[914efi]

I ended up with Valvoline 5w-40 full synthetic European oil where I had been using Mobil 1 0W-40 European oil. I can't find much info on the Valvoline.

Anybody know if it is comparable?

Thanks, and sorry if this starts a debate...

[proporsche]

none of the above for your engine,period!!
Ivan

[Locker537]

Is there a reason you are running 0w and 5w?

Those are rather thin oils. Most recommend 20w50, and moving to 15w40 in colder months like we have here in MA.

[theiceman]

Originally Posted by 914efi

I ended up with Valvoline 5w-40 full synthetic European oil where I had been using Mobil 1 0W-40 European oil. I can't find much info on the Valvoline.

Anybody know if it is comparable?

Thanks, and sorry if this starts a debate...

you have been using 0w40 on an air cooled car ??? really ? do you live at the arctic circle ?

[David Inc.]

Read this dude's blog. It reads like a shooter's manifesto but there's tons of good info.

https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/

Search for this article: "69. Test Data on “THICK” Motor Oils and reasons why they “SHOULD” be used in Air-Cooled Engines"

[914efi]

I use it in my Audi, lots of oil info on here so I thought someone would know.

[sean m]

Originally Posted by Locker537

Is there a reason you are running 0w and 5w?

Those are rather thin oils. Most recommend 20w50, and moving to 15w40 in colder months like we have here in MA.

Agree with Locker537.......I use 20W50 year round in GA. Synthetic would never work with my 77S and pour out of every seal.

[Peter M]

Art,
Except the slight difference in viscosity, those oils are compatible. The "European" label just means the oil has the European ACEA certification "A3/B4" as well as a number of approvals from various European car manufactures. Full details here:

https://sharena21.springcm.com/Public/Document/18452/b332d30e-6788-e911-9c22-ac162d889bd1/3198f1c7-8798-e911-9c25-ac162d889bd1

&

https://www.m1oils.com.au/product/mobil-1-0w-40/

I agree your efforts to consolidate your oil types is sensible. However your '75 911 would likely be better served by a heavier viscosity engine oil such as a 15w40, 15w50 or 20w50. Your owners manual will have specific details on suitable oil viscosities for your likely ambient temperatures that you should be guided by.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by 914efi

I use it in my Audi, lots of oil info on here so I thought someone would know.

Audi and all modern engines don't have the same old fashioned design specs as is incorporated in all air cooled 911s

There are currently 2 broad types of oil currently available

They are easily differentiated by the container labels
old fashioned doughnut label for 911s and other older design cars


Atarburst label for all newer cars, from ~1996


In addition there are 2 other critical specs to look for
1 weight
for 911 straight 30 was the original spec then 20w-50 and 15w-50 or 15w 40, the last 2 only if synthetic

2) ZDDP levels air cooled 911s all want ~110 to ~1400ppm ZDDP


none of the Starburst oils has this spec, and you will need to be selective wrt to the Doughnut labels

M1 0w40 while a great oil which I also used in my Audis is not appropriate for 911 use, ZDDP is ~1000-1100, and weight is also low
M1 5w-50 has the same ZDDP spec and still low
M1 154-50 is 1200-1300ZDDP and the correct weight, use it or a similarly specd oil

[NeedAJoker]

I see no recommendations for 10w-40, which is what Pelican has in their Oil Change Kit for 78-89. I was surprised when it showed up after always using 20w-50 and should have paid closer attention when I ordered.

Should I be returning:

Liqui Moly MOS2 Antifriction - 10W-40 Semi-Synthetic

[icarp]

I do not think there is a better deal or a better product for our 911 air cooled engines
than the Mobil 1 15w-50w full synthetic . I change it @5000 miles
The true benefit of the full synthetic oils is the resistance to break down at higher temps .
250 is too hot for old tech oil, on the race cars if the oil got over 240 we would change it right away .
Not even one more practice run. Modern car engines run there oil at 220-230* as normal temp,
Instead of an oil cooler they run a heat exchanger pulling heat from the coolant .
As a rule metal does like to be in the 225 degree range for minimal wear characteristics .
Our air cooled engines like 185 to 210 as perfect temps . the mobil 1 can handle a run of oil temp up to 250-260 and not have to have an immediate oil change , depending on duration .
If your car lives in a garage then the engine temp probably never gets below 50* in the garage unless it is an unattached stand alone . The lower number in the oil spec is how the oil flows in the coldest temps ie. -30 * " not very fluid molasses vs water "
The 50w is how the oil reacts to the higher temps .
The stability of the oil based on viscosity or " thickness" in high temps .

Just some general thoughts
Ian

[mikedsilva]

What is the going price for 10 litres of Mobil 1 15w50 over in the usa?

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by mikedsilva

What is the going price for 10 litres of Mobil 1 15w50 over in the usa?

Mike, I've been using this stuff in the SC. It seems to tick all the boxes. I'm happy with it. So maybe consider it for your SC instead of Mobil 1 for price reasons.

After I used it for the first time the oil change came out quite black. I was a bit concerned then realised it was because it's more detergent than the previous mineral oils. Subsequent oil changes have come out more normal looking. You're Australian, what's the word over there regarding this oil?

[OSC911]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Mike, I've been using this stuff in the SC. It seems to tick all the boxes. I'm happy with it. So maybe consider it for your SC instead of Mobil 1 for price reasons.

After I used it for the first time the oil change came out quite black. I was a bit concerned then realised it was because it's more detergent than the previous mineral oils. Subsequent oil changes have come out more normal looking. You're Australian, what's the word over there regarding this oil?

Very highly regarded. I use it in all my road cars (different viscosity) and my two air cooled 911s. High zinc also which is a plus.

[Peter M]

Actually I think you may be mixing HPR30 up with HPR15.

Many owners here actually use Penrite HPR30 20w-60 due to the 1530ppm of ZDDP and thicker is best view.
https://penriteoil.com.au/assets/pis_pdfs/HPR%2030%2020W-60%20(Mineral).pdf

HPR15 15w-50 is not so enthusiastically embraced due to the lower 1060ppm ZDDP and possibly the association of full synthetics with causing oil leaks in engines with old seals.
https://penriteoil.com.au/assets/pis_pdfs/HPR%2015%2015W-60%20(Full%20Synthetic).pdf

If you want a higher ZDDP full synthetic, Penrite's 10 Tenth's Racing 15 is probably the pick. It's a 15w-50 with 1680ppm of ZDDP and a reasonably high TBN so it's not really a racing oil and perfectly suitable for a street car.
https://penriteoil.com.au/assets/pis_pdfs/10%20TENTHS%20%20RACING%2015W-50%20(100percent%20PAO%20&%20ESTER).pdf

I suspect any of the above 3 would be fine in practice and no one would be able to prove conclusively otherwise.

[icarp]

Mike , Mobil 1 is about $30 per 5 qt bottle = 10 qt $60 . "2.5 us gallons "
I buy 3 bottles per oil change and always have extra on the shelf

Penrite oil is also regarded as an excellent oil in the USA

Ian