FYI, new Mobil1 5W-40 is petroleum based

movin · 02-25-2007, 12:16 PM

According to Mobil's website the new Mobil1 5W-40 is actually Delvac1 which they go on to say is from a petroleum base stock, unlike the description for all other Mobil1 oils. A little pricey for a confessed Group III oil don't you think? I'll scratch that one from my list, back to Rotella 5W-40 again, (much better VI anyway).

HarryD · 02-25-2007, 01:14 PM

movin,

Are you sure?

The only 5W-40 on the Mobil 1 site I can find is Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40. Accoring to the Web site (http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/GLXXENPVLMOMobil1_Turbo_Diesel_Truck_5W-40.asp): "Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 is a fully synthetic supreme ..."

cashflyer · 02-25-2007, 01:57 PM

Harry...
It could be a that you are both correct.

Here's why: In a 1999 ruling, it was decided that in the US, oil companies can claim Class III mineral oils to be "fully synthetic" due to the refining process they use.

Mobil 1 has not been 100% Class IV synthetic in many years.

You may want to read this thread, which discusses this at length. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/240120-synthetic-leaking-post2122896.html

HarryD · 02-25-2007, 02:15 PM

WOW

learn something new every day...

Darn Marketing types........

grrrrrrrr

movin · 02-25-2007, 02:31 PM

Found the claim of petroleum base on page two here:
http://www.imperialoil.ca/Canada-English/Files/Products_Lubes/IOCAENCVLESMobil_1_Delvac_1.pdf

Now I'm confused also. USA site says fully synthetic, but Canadian site says petro. based?

HarryD · 02-25-2007, 03:01 PM

movin,

Interesting. The Mobil 1 product I found in the USA site is not labelled as a Delvac product, but is Canadian Delvac 1 the same product as USA Mobil 1?

unclebilly · unclebilly's Garage

You can buy Delvac here in canada. I bought some for my old dodge Diesel at Walmart once before converting to Delo 400 Synthetic.

oliver88 · 02-25-2007, 04:45 PM

There are some who have tested M1 15w50 and they are convinced that it is now a Group III oil. Have not heard that about Delvac 1 but it could be. Rumor is that Mobil is moving to less expensive Group III basestocks...Anyways, the proof is in the protection...Let's see how it does after some used oil analysis tests come out.

movin · 02-25-2007, 07:39 PM

Group IV switched to III, I think one of the clues is any decrease in VI for a given grade. That usually indicates they made a change.

Wil Ferch · 02-26-2007, 05:39 AM

The real test is how it's marketed...US law still allows Gr. III oils to be labeled "100% full synthetic"....not so in Europe...dunno in Canada.

Ask Mobil if the oil in question in sold in other countries and under what naming label. Oil companies are often shy about divulging specs but they should be able to tell you labeling.

FWIW...Shell's Rotella T- Synthetic 5W-40 is also Gr. III and has been working well for me in my 85 Carrera where Mobil 1 15W-50 ( apparently and very coincidentally) started to cause leaking......

- Wil