Engine Oil

[JoshKaidanow]

Quick engine oil question. Haynes says to use SAE 30 weight summer, SAE 20 W 20 winter. First of all, I cant find this oil. Second, should I use something thicker? Its a 1981 924.

Thanks
Josh

[krystar]

we normally don't find single weight oils anymore. if the 924's oil requirement is different than the 944...then go with a 10w30 or or 10w40

i think most 944 owners go with 20w50 for summer and 10w40 for winter.

[JoshKaidanow]

Alright, thanks

[Gawernator]

Can't see your area on mobile but if you live in a moderate or cold climate 10w-40 should be good. I have been running 20w-50 year round fine but it doesn't get much lower than 40° here

[ckelly78z]

I run 20W50 year round here in NW Ohio, but I generally don't drive the car if its below freezing when I drive my 4x4 truck. The thicker oil quiets the valvetrain down a bit, and doesn't leak as easily as a 10W30 will, two good reasons for using.

Try Brad Penn 20W50 for the extra added zinc that is good for flat tappet motors like ours.

[Gawernator]

If that's hard for you to get, I use Castrol GTX high mileage semi-synthetic 20w-50 which is more locally available and also has good protection.

[CHICKS]

Castrol GTX 20w50 all year for me.

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by JoshKaidanow

Quick engine oil question. Haynes says to use SAE 30 weight summer, SAE 20 W 20 winter. First of all, I cant find this oil. Second, should I use something thicker? Its a 1981 924.

Thanks
Josh

It does get cold in your part of the wood,like tonight 2-12* so I don't see using 20W50 in weather that cold.Like suggested by Krystar maybe 10W30 will be more like it.Up here where we put up with this kind of cold almost every winter day our daily drivers use 5W30 none syntec (dino oil) with no issues.Brand of oil will be up to as long as it's a quality one.

[JAXTURBO]

Mobil1 15 50 since new for me...

[ideola]

For the 2.0L motor, you should absolutely NOT run 10W30. It is way too thin and will burn more quickly than it should (about 1 quart per 2K miles or so).

My recommendation is to use full synthetic oil and change it every 6 months. I doubt you will drive more than 10K-15K miles in six months, so this timing should be sufficient.

For your climate, you should run 20W50 full synthetic from April thru Nov. If you plan to drive the car during the winter, do an oil change in Nov and switch over to full synthetic 10W40.

I like Mobil-1, but they don't make a 20W50. The Castrol stuff is pretty good for off-the-shelf. I run Brad Penn 20W50 in all of my cars and do not drive them in the winter.

[ideola]

P.S. On the 924 2.0L, it is really important to use an oil that has sufficient ZDDP content. DO NOT run a cheap or generic brand of oil because very few of them have sufficient ZDDP, and they will ruin the camshaft and lifters. Mobil-1, Castrol, Amsoil, Royal Purple, and Brad Penn all have sufficient content, so I strongly recommend sticking with one of those brands.

[ernie9944]

[QUOTE=ideola;7233454]For the 2.0L motor, you should absolutely NOT run 10W30. It is way too thin and will burn more quickly than it should (about 1 quart per 2K miles or so).

My recommendation is to use full synthetic oil and change it every 6 months. I doubt you will drive more than 10K-15K miles in six months, so this timing should be sufficient.

For your climate, you should run 20W50 full synthetic from April thru Nov. If you plan to drive the car during the winter, do an oil change in Nov and switch over to full synthetic 10W40.____________
Thanks for the clarification 924 2.0 lrt versus oil density.

[JoshKaidanow]

ok so im gonna go

20w50 summer- Brad Penn
10w40 winter- Mobile 1 or Castrol

thanks everyone!

[AKCJ]

Just googling around and found this link. The guy takes a long time to say that the newer oils are OK. Note - I don't know much about oil, just curious.

Engine oil mythology debunked, and ZDP content

[ideola]

Bottom line: the flat tappets in the 2.0L 924 need a healthy dose of ZDDP. Most API oils on the shelf only have 800PPM. The figure should be 1200PPM or above, which the cited oils in my previous post all have.

[AKCJ]

couple more links:

Sounds like STP has ZDDP.

Explanation of zddp content from AFAB forum - Ford Truck Fanatics

Oils: What motor oil should I use? Which oil is best for my Porsche or aircooled engine?