0W-40 or 15W-50 Mobil 1?

[aigel]

I have used Mobil1 15W-50 in the past. Reading on recent threads, looks like people are running 0W-40 and that shows on the Mobil1 as Porsche recommended.

I like thicker oil for the few times I may run the car hard, track day, canyon run etc. I don't think it ever gets cold enough here to warrant 0W but I am definitely not an expert ...

What do you run in your 993 and what do you recommend!?

I like Mobil1 for easy availability and price ... so not interested in the other brands currently ... oil change coming up! Getting ready for Laguna!

Thanks,

George

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by aigel

I have used Mobil1 15W-50 in the past. Reading on recent threads, looks like people are running 0W-40 and that shows on the Mobil1 as Porsche recommended.

I like thicker oil for the few times I may run the car hard, track day, canyon run etc. I don't think it ever gets cold enough here to warrant 0W but I am definitely not an expert ...

What do you run in your 993 and what do you recommend!?

I like Mobil1 for easy availability and price ... so not interested in the other brands currently ... oil change coming up! Getting ready for Laguna!

Thanks,

George

Besides the weight be concerned about the additive package used in a given oil.

When 993 were new the oil spec was SH, the oil issue these days is that the EPA wants oe emissions equipment to last a long time, to that end Zinc & Phoshorous content ave been reduced in many brands/types of oil. The issue is that the ZDDP(Zinc & Phosphorous) are necessary to protect flat tappet cams as used in 993. The first wave of cam failures was reported after the SL spec(1000 ppm ZDDP) came out in 2004, The oils to be avoided have a starburst API symbol on the can, the older API donut may or may no have reduced ZDDP.

M1 0w-40 has 1000/1100 ppm P/Zn marginal as it's right around the 1000 level where issues first arose
M1 15w/50 has 1200/1300 ppm P/Zn right where SH spec was back in the day

I'd prefer a 15w 40 w/ 1200/1300 but this oil is going to be tough to find and very expensive. Until I find it M1 15w-50 is my choice

[aigel]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

Besides the weight be concerned about the additive package used in a given oil.

When 993 were new the oil spec was SH, the oil issue these days is that the EPA wants oe emissions equipment to last a long time, to that end Zinc & Phoshorous content ave been reduced in many brands/types of oil. The issue is that the ZDDP(Zinc & Phosphorous) are necessary to protect flat tappet cams as used in 993. The first wave of cam failures was reported after the SL spec(1000 ppm ZDDP) came out in 2004, The oils to be avoided have a starburst API symbol on the can, the older API donut may or may no have reduced ZDDP.

M1 0w-40 has 1000/1100 ppm P/Zn marginal as it's right around the 1000 level where issues first arose
M1 15w/50 has 1200/1300 ppm P/Zn right where SH spec was back in the day

I'd prefer a 15w 40 w/ 1200/1300 but this oil is going to be tough to find and very expensive. Until I find it M1 15w-50 is my choice

Great info Bill. Thanks for all the detail on the zinc/phosphorous additives. I will stay with the 15W-50 and am glad I haven't jumped on the 0W-40. I have about 25k on my engine since I owned it without issues on this oil.

G

[BimmerDob]

For 993, you should be researching over on rennlist.com forums. But whatever you do, do not post an open-ended "what oil to use question" thread, as the topic has been beaten to death and the snarkey-ness meter will go to 11.

But Bill V., a 993 known knowledgable source in the forums (and a very nice guy in real life) has condensed down the wisdom you seek.

[aigel]

I don't have any motivation to post on Rennlist. I always get great input here on Pelican where the culture is a lot more laid back - you can actually ask an oil question!

Bill is the best if it comes to 993 info.

G

[KNS]

Mention 0W-40 to Steve Weiner and he will practically plead with you not to put it in your 993.

Stick with what you've been using.

[aigel]

Thanks Kurt - indeed. Just received my Walmart Shipment today. And the upside is that I was able to use the leftover 2 quarts from last change!

G

[mattC2993]

I mixed them 50/50. Mobil techs said that was fine. I don't need 50 weight but like the higher zinc/phosphorous additives. The 0W-40 is cheaper.

[HalfGerman]

You could always throw in some quarts of Mobil 1 V-twin 20W-50 oil at 1600/1750 P/Zn.

I plan on a 50/50 mix with the M1 15W-50 this coming oil change, (my first). Any thoughts on that?

[Lost Canyon]

Half German,
That is what I have done on the last three changes. Seems logical.

[Nine9six]

I do the same as well^^^on the 50/50 mix of Mobil V-twin/Mobil1,15-50W, and mentioned it several times on rennlist 993 forum.

[sand_man]

Joe Gibbs DT50 15W-50 in my daily driver. When I've used the case (9.5-10 quarts for the change and the rest for topping off), I reach for the V-twin 20-50 until the next oil change, with Gibbs.

[Derek911]

Whether you like rennlist or not, when it comes to 964/993 Pelican cannot compare to the wealth of information on Rennlist. The same people on Pelican are on Rennlist, but Rennlist is where best info is for 964/993. The issue comes when people ask a question that has been thoroughly debated and worked out. The beauty of rennlist is in reading old threads and making a decision based on it versus starting it all over again. With all that said, I'm a VR1 20-50 kind of guy... Based on rennlist and pelican research, not asking a question.

[Derek911]

Originally Posted by KNS

Mention 0W-40 to Steve Weiner and he will practically plead with you not to put it in your 993.

Stick with what you've been using.

I'm with Steve Weiner on this. 0w-40 makes no sense in our high reving engines. Regardless of how you drive or where you live, you should use high zinc oil closer to racing oil than what new cars use like 0w-40.

[JSny]

Our host has a competitive price on Porsche classic motor oil 10w-60- 5 liter can. Agree with the high rev comments above.

[Emo993]

+1 Sand man, Joe Gibbs DT50, read up on the specs. Just a great oil for the 964/993 air cooled engines. Best, Mark

[Emo993]

PS, free shipping from LN Engineering.

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by Emo993

PS, free shipping from LN Engineering.

Yep...that's where I order. Good pricing too.

[BlitzKonig]

I was advised by our local Aircooled Guru here in Brisbane Australia to run the 15w-50.
Like you, I also dont see myself needing the cooler temperature aspect.
This was also on a fresh rebuild, so Id rather follow the instructions of my engine builder

[John McM]

Originally Posted by BlitzKonig

I was advised by our local Aircooled Guru here in Brisbane Australia to run the 15w-50.
Like you, I also dont see myself needing the cooler temperature aspect.
This was also on a fresh rebuild, so Id rather follow the instructions of my engine builder

Are you using Penrith?