type of oil

irish45 · 12-03-2003, 02:16 PM

I have a 86 944 na and I live in New York so the weather changes pretty quick so I wanted to know what type of oil would be best to put into my car? It also has alot of mileage on it. I drive it everywhere. it has 117,000 mile and still runs strong just wanted some advice on what oil to put into it since I have been getting many conflicting ideas as to what to put into the car. I just want to put in the car the best oil to keep it running strong. Thanks!

UconnTim97 · UconnTim97's Garage

I use 20-50 in the summer, and I just put in 10-40 for the winter. I tried the castrol GTX high milage this time...

Mark_944S2 · 12-03-2003, 05:41 PM

Mobil 1 15/50. Not the thinner ones. This'll give you great cold starting but good protection in summer - thats the advantage of synthetic, better behaviour at temperature extremes.

divezic · divezic's Garage

Mobil 1 in the 0W40 weight. Yes, I know people say it will cause an oil leak. My 1984 engine with 103,000 miles is tight as a drum and I've been using 0W40 and 10W40 Synthetic for 6 years.

And besides, Porsche recommends it.

Zero10 · 12-03-2003, 06:59 PM

Hrm, I have always wondered this myself. I run Mobil 1 10W30 (with a little ATF right now), and it doesn't leak a drop. But I always wondered if it was the right oil. I see that 15W50 for high-performance engines, but I wonder about how it starts in the cold. My 10W30 turns over slow, not really slow but slower, when it gets cold. Would 15W50 turn over even slower? My oil pressure always sits at 4 bars in the winter, with 10W30, so I thought about going to a 5W or a 0W for the winter.
What should I run?
For Irish45 here I would run Mobil 1, but the grade is up to you.

I don't know if it makes a difference, but my compression is 125 on the best cylinder, should I be using a heavier oil to help with this?

..P · 12-04-2003, 06:22 AM

In Calgary, in winter, I think I'd stick with Mobil-1 10W30, but I've been told by a Mobil engineer that he would use the 15W50 in Cleveland Ohio all year long. Since I'm in Nashville, I use 15W50 all year long, but I top up with 10W30 in winter if and when I need to. An exception is my 84 944 with 165,000 miles, and I've tried 10W30 in winter because I had some "shudder" when cold, but this may well have been the motor mounts.

Check out this link, and you'll see Mobil-1 15W50 flows down to something like -55 degrees F.

http://www.ac427.com/html/cobra_32.shtml

Then check some of the 5W oils out there and you'll see the Mobil synthetic flows down to colder temps than they do. Pretty awesome stuff. I use Mobil-1 in everything, including a pair of 427 Ford marine engines.

regards, P

AaronM · 12-04-2003, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zero10
I don't know if it makes a difference, but my compression is 125 on the best cylinder, should I be using a heavier oil to help with this?

NO!

You will not "help" anything by running thicker oil once the engine is loose. Expecting thicker oil to prevent leaks is akin to using one of those "doughnut" spare tires and thinking it's a permanent fix.

Aaron

..P · 12-04-2003, 06:29 AM

Here is some more info on the synthetic oil and gear lube.

Synthetic oil & gear lube recommendations

I agree with Aaron, by the way, about the thicker oil NOT helping with leaks. You'll note the synthetics flow so much better, that's why they will flow out a leak better too. However, if you have an engine with high miles that is somewhat "loose" due to normal wear, then I would consider going to a thicker oil like the 15W50 just to compensate a bit for the looseness. That's why I run it in my 1966 427 marine engines.

If you're looking for an oil to stop the leaks, then you should go to a natural oil like Castrol, which has irregular sized molecules, it won't flow as well cold, and won't perform as well as a synthetic with regards to flash, VI, etc., but it will "leak" slower. Tightening that oil pan gasket (gently) might help a bit.

They also have oils intended for high milage cars, with added esters to swell up the seals. Whether this works or not is not known by me, so buyer beware.

P

AaronM · 12-04-2003, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ..P
However, if you have an engine with high miles that is somewhat "loose" due to normal wear, then I would consider going to a thicker oil like the 15W50 just to compensate a bit for the looseness.

The recommended oil for the 924S/944 is 20W50, even in brand-new engines.

Aaron

TCMdocs944 · 12-04-2003, 08:29 AM

20/50 natural or 20/50 synth. or no difference?

It never gets below 30deg here.....

......................

..P · 12-04-2003, 04:46 PM

you must compensate for type of oil, as noted on the owners manual, as well as temperature. Surely they don't call for 20W50 all year long, look at the temp settings.

regards, P

Manute · 12-05-2003, 01:01 AM

Correct me if I´m wrong: if the temperature is between limits, and you change the oil and filter more often,there is no problem using dino 20W50 yeah? It avoids or minimise those little leaks we usually have.

ronin · 12-05-2003, 01:18 AM

that's basically true

Manute · 12-05-2003, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ronin
that's basically true

Go to bed NOW!

You´re a bad kid!

Manute · 12-05-2003, 01:34 AM

otherwise,thanks for giving me the reason

ronin · 12-05-2003, 01:47 AM

lol, couldn't sleep. caught up on a few things but now I must.....

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Manute · 12-05-2003, 01:54 AM

on a few things,like here....you´re a pelican addict!

ronin · 12-05-2003, 01:56 AM

naaah, just reeeeeally bored. niteynite

AaronM · 12-05-2003, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ..P
Surely they don't call for 20W50 all year long, look at the temp settings.

regards, P

For every temperature I encounter in PA and Norther Ohio. Has to get consistently below 20 degrees for them to recommend thinner than 20W50 I think. I'll check the manual later today after I've run some errands.

Aaron

TCMdocs944 · 12-05-2003, 08:29 AM

Read on thread that engine was designed for the best at the time...Castrol GTX ...Sure you can't go really wrong with that..
BUT

I am going with the current best ..Mobil 1