Elf Oil

golftime · golftime's Garage

I need some help from the oil experts. (No, I don't want to re-open this entire debate.) I just made a service appointment for my 88 Targa with my local Porsche mechanic. The service will include an oil change. When I asked him what oil he was planning to use he told me he is using Elf synthetic oil exclusively, which is now a division of Total Oil Company. He stated it has better additives, i.e. zinc, for the flat tappet motors we have. This mechanic is very popular with and well trusted by the local Porsche guys so I have no reason to doubt him. It is just that he threw me a real curve, since Elf wasn't a name I expected to hear or know anything about. Has anyone had any experience with this? I am attaching the link to their website and appreciate any feedback in advance.
jpl

Restitution.aspx

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

Interesting question/interests. I'll have to review some threads that mentioned/discussed this oil...my recollection was that it was good stuff, but would prefer a proper review.....

Sure would be good to see a V.O.A. analysis of this oil...do a search (at RL, too) and see what hits...

I bet it is very unnerving to have a "Directive" issued? Geeze,...I'd tell them bye unless they loaded my BP....no compromise there...i.e.,: I establish what oil goes in my car,..no one else.

Hopefully Charlie or Lubemaster (and others) will chime in on what they know of this oil (and the testing thereof).

BEST!

Doyle

HarryD · 08-10-2011, 05:51 PM

Elf has been around for a while. Which one of the oils is going to put in your car?

golftime · golftime's Garage

He said it will be full synthetic and if memory serves me, 15-40 weight. After reading everything here I would have preferred dino oil.

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

Suggesting using the Elf is one thing but if he won't let you make the final decision, I would tell him I would just do it myself. However, the Elf might be good stuff, so research it first- or listen to what Harry can find out.

HarryD · 08-10-2011, 08:16 PM

The Elf/Total website is no fun to navigate and when I found some PDS's , they were very lacking in detail. You want an oil with over 1000 (1200+ is ideal) ppm zinc and phosphrous, reasonalbe detergent action (calcium and/or magnesium) and a high TBN number. Their PDS do not include this data.

Steve@Rennsport · 08-10-2011, 09:43 PM

Total (formerly Elf) makes some good stuff.

We use a lot of their racing oil (5w-50) in air-cooled cars and their 5w-40 in the water-cooled cars.

HarryD · 08-10-2011, 09:53 PM

Steve:

How is their run of the mill stuff? Whan I looked at their web site, the PDS does not give much real data.

See you at BnB?

HarryD · 08-10-2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golftime

He said it will be full synthetic and if memory serves me, 15-40 weight. After reading everything here I would have preferred dino oil.

Which one is he going to use? They seem to have lots of choices. Restitution.aspx

Steve@Rennsport · 08-10-2011, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryD

Steve:

How is their run of the mill stuff? Whan I looked at their web site, the PDS does not give much real data.

Its fine. For air-cooled cars, look for the API-SL stuff.

Quote:

See you at BnB?

I'm sure gonna try,....

golftime · golftime's Garage

Harry, I was with you on the website. Not a user friendly website and not much information about the oil, particularly given the fact there are so many different types of oil listed. This would have been a whole lot easier for everyone if my guy sold BP, but since that is not the case, Steve has me feeling much better about Elf. I will definitely get the full description on the oil including API classifications before I turn over the keys. As has been mentioned here many times before, thank you guys for providing help that I would never find elsewhere.

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

Get a virgin sample in to a Lab.

BEST!

Doyle

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

Is that the stuff made by these guys?

SCHNELE · SCHNELE's Garage

Get a sample in tho the lab (SMH) listen guys, Elf has been aroud since the dawn of lubricants, if you look at vintage movies with racing scenes chances are you will spot an Elf poster and they partnered with Porsche extensively until mobil paid up for the exclusive deal. In Europe Elf is run in the WRC and the Dakar, what can be more gruelling than that. Elf has partnered with Renault the parent company of Citroen (WRC), and Renault formula one teams they make great oil period.

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

Yes, they make good oil like Mobil does with Mobil 1, and we all know where that ended up= reformulation.

oliver88 · 08-11-2011, 06:26 PM

Ran two fills of 5w50 in my 944 race car and did UOA's after 8 hours. It was good stuff.

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

IMO 15W40 dino is too light for summer driving.

Steve@Rennsport · 08-12-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

IMO 15W40 dino is too light for summer driving.

Joe,....not always,...

It depends on the base stock used in the forumulation. GOOD dino oils such as Swepco, Brad-Penn, etc, make an excellent 15w-40 thats does very well in hot temperatures without losing viscosity.

Much like people, this is one of those things thats not accurate to generalize,.....

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

I must defer to Steve who is more knowledgeable.