0W challenge with passing LL-01

[vinu_neuro]

Is it known why so many 0W oils lost LL-01 and still seemingly only M1 0W-40 has managed to regain it (while preserving A40)? I don't believe the LL-01 test requirements are published. Following are the two main changes I have seen posted, but I struggle to imagine why 0W would face more challenges with either of them than 5W.

More stringent oxidation requirement - 0W euro oils typically have a significant PAO or group III+ (like GTL) content that tend to do better in oxidation tests than the typically group III found in many 5W oils.

N20 timing chain test - typically down to the additive package than base oil and VII so why would 0W find this more challenging.

 

[f355spider]

Other oils have recently gained LL-01 approval again.
Castrol 0w-30 https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/...D50FF12802588DE005BE9D3/$File/bpxe-a9tnq9.pdf
I believe Edyvw posted that Castrol 0w-40 also now has LL-01 approval but I cannot find the PDS at the moment...there is a thread here though with a link.

 

[f355spider]

Found it: Castrol 0w-40: https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/...EA07DAE80258883003B0FFD/$File/wepp-cgfk83.pdf

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Is it known why so many 0W oils lost LL-01 and still seemingly only M1 0W-40 has managed to regain it (while preserving A40)? I don't believe the LL-01 test requirements are published. Following are the two main changes I have seen posted, but I struggle to imagine why 0W would face more challenges with either of them than 5W.

More stringent oxidation requirement - 0W euro oils typically have a significant PAO or group III+ (like GTL) content that tend to do better in oxidation tests than the typically group III found in many 5W oils.

N20 timing chain test - typically down to the additive package than base oil and VII so why would 0W find this more challenging.

I believe BMW has moved from the N20 to the B48 chain wear test with the latest revision in 2018. In any case part of it could be that LL01 is a dying approval in major markets (Europe, US) so there is less of a business case for blenders. *shrug*

 

[edyvw]

I believe BMW has moved from the N20 to the B48 chain wear test with the latest revision in 2018. In any case part of it could be that LL01 is a dying approval in major markets (Europe, US) so there is less of a business case for blenders. *shrug*

Actually, with 2018 revision, they moved from N52 to N20 as a testing engine.
To me it looks more like BMW updated approvals.

 

[vinu_neuro]

Found it: Castrol 0w-40: https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/...EA07DAE80258883003B0FFD/$File/wepp-cgfk83.pdf

0W-40 A3/B4 lost A40 in the reformulation and this oil is not available here anyway.
Only a new Castrol 0W-40 PA is listed on the Castrol US site which looks to be the old formulation.

https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/...B7080AA802588EF005B7927/$File/WEPP-CKUUDB.pdf

https://www.castrol.com/en_us/unite...brand/castrol-edge-euro-car.html#tab_0W-40 PA