Recent content by clarkz71

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zeng</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> +1 Thanks for sharing. Btw, what's your take on my comments above dated 09/06/15 , that Merc/Northstar bearing clearances appears to be on the coarse side <img...

Care to comment on 5W30 vs 5W40 in out of warranty GM products? Specifically a 2000 Cadillac Northstar engine.

Interesting that Chrysler DID recommend a 5W40 back then. Like I told GM customer service, oil technology has advanced in the last 22 years since the Northstar was designed. . <img src="http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag472/Bob036/5%2040_zpsxxxrvz7w.png" class="post-image" alt="" />

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zeng</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I believe Oil Film Thickness is proportional to operating oil viscosity. Thus under identical operating conditions , xW40 would offer OP higher OFT than xW30. This should...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: stchman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To the OP: By running 5W-40 instead of 5W-30 do you think the engine will last longer? If the oil and filter are changed out at manufacturer's specified intervals, the engine...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> My point was that the official MB 229.5 spec does not list any other grades apart from 0w-30, 5w-30, 0w-40, and 5w-40. </div></div> Correct again, and using a 229.5 oil...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Sure, but 229.3 is an old spec. I should have clarified that I was referring to all current production gasoline engines. Apparently exotics such as the SLR are exempted...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Although, they also require that an oil meets the 229.5 spec (for gasoline engines), which limits the viscosity grades that you can use. You won't find any Xw-50 or Xw-60...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KCJeep</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want to run that 5w40 by all means do so it won't hurt a thing. I wish there were a better selection of PCMO 5w40's available at good pricing, but then again that is exactly...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zeng</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Hmm ...... care to elaborate typical Mercedes clearance range for say,a 2 inch main/rod journal ? </div></div> Connecting rod bearing clearance on a M119 V8 of the same period...

Got to love google, some searching and I found this <span style="font-style: italic">Motul's 8100 X-Cess, In Detail <span style="font-weight: bold">Motul's 8100 oil begins as synthetic ester base stocks, and then has polyalphaolefin (a Group IV oil) blended in, along with proprietary...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SR5</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I liked how in the old days they gave you a range of viscosities based on climate. Now it's more of a one size fits all oil, which is dumbing it down. Still atleast GM says 5W30...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: toyota62</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Motul X-cess is a group3 base oil. Few years back I used it in my old Camry. I asked Motul and they said its group3 base. Then again this was 10 plus years ago. They may have...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Phishin</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> My biggest concern would be the head bolts......your N* hasn't blown a head gasket yet?? </div></div> No, those are hit and miss. GM did change the block casting and used...

As a 30 Mercedes veteran technician, I find it strange that GM insists on a 30 weight oil, whether a 5W30 or 10W30. These are the only oils recommended in the manual. Where Mercedes, with bearing clearances just as tight allows a full range of viscosities of oil ranging from 0W30 to 20W50...