996 turbo engine rattle

[75Carrera]

Reading on several Porsche related blogs I see many comments about the low idle rattle the 3.6 turbo motors seem to have. It doesn't seem to a major concern by most posters. The use of M1 synthetic oil is favored by the factory we're told. Maybe that's fine but I also see many going with diesel oil as a path to reducing friction and quieting the rattle. I use the diesel oil (rottela), probably spelled wrong, in my air cooled car.
What do you think about both the rattle and the use of diesel oil rather than synthetics?
Of course you first need to be assured the rattle is not something more serious. Sounds like it's quite common and easily handled by use of diesel oil.

[KNS]

Donny,

I had a wear problem in my daily driver 325i for a while, elevated copper and rising. It was recommended that I try Rotella T6 5W-40. Over the course of several months with the T6 (I drive a lot of miles) the copper returned to normal and is now lower than it has ever been. I'm totally sold on the T6.

I've heard several over on Rennlist use T6 5W-40 in their 996 Turbos.

[75Carrera]

Yea Kurt,
It does appear the T6 provides a different viscosity that may quiet minor engine noise as well as increase the life of these motors. My learning curve has been a steep uphill climb to better understanding this car. So many systems, bells and whistles to sort out. I love the car but after nearly 30 years with my faithful and comparatively simple air cooled 75, this amazing turbo is an entirely new world. Reenlist posts on this subject strongly support the use of Rotella. I have never had a synthetic oil in any of my cars. I know the factory sticks by the M-1 and many owners do as well. These turbo motors spool up so fast and are are so precision oriented compared to our bare boned early cars I am planning to go with the the added protection of the diesel oil. Still looking for reassurance through the various blogs.
Thanks for your input. Tuesday I'll take it over to Darin DeYoung's shop and make the change along with the usual oil and air filters. This car has more than enough "performance" for me. The goal is to enjoy as long an engine life as possible. Better protection via the Rotella seems a no brainer. I have used it in "Precious" for several years. So far, no reason not to use it in the new ride.
Thx again...

[s_morrison57]

We used Rotella in the small Detroit Diesel engines at work and I was told that this was the only oil to use in the smaller DD motors because the oil was formulated for 2 stroke diesel engines. For the 4 stroke diesel engines we used Rimula (sp?).
Are you sure it is Rotella everyone is using?
They don't make those engines anymore, they won't pass emissions but for the application we used them for they were perfect, a 3 cyl DD would kick the crap outta a Deutz 6 or JD turbo 6.
I always wonder when I see these threads if the oil is Rotella and if Rotella is still a 2 stroke oil and if it is a 2 stroke oil are these the properties that makes it better? I'm not convinced if it is better or not but I will have to read up on this a bit, the turbo 996 is on the top of my list for my next daily driver. Also never read about the noise at idle, I looked at 1 high mileage turbo and never noticed any noise but there was probably a lot of things I didn't notice.
Finn

[75Carrera]

The regular Rotella is a 15/40, the Rotella T-6 is a synthetic 5/40... I talked to my wrench this morning and he agrees with using either. Not too concerned about either one.
Probably will use the T-6