Beckstar: I read somewhere that “racing” oils generally don’t have enough detergents for a daily drive, but I read later that many of the “racing” oils in chain stores do have enough detergents
Beckstar: Sorry, what do you mean by “a strong detergent TBN of 9.8…”?
SR5: Overbase detergents are added to oils, not to act like conventional household detergents (that's more like the oil's dispersants job) but to add alkalinity to neutralise acid buildup in the oil from burning hydrocarbons. This is measured by the oils total base number (TBN).
Track only race oils have a low TBN, since the oil gets changed every race or every few races.
Street approved race oils have a high TBN so that you can go a longer distance (e.g. 10,000 km or 12 months) and so can be used on the road. A TBN of 9.8 is high, and this Penrite product is safe to be used for regular street applications, which is what you want to do.
Penrite 10-Tenths are great oils, good heat resistance and shear stability, I have run the 10W40 myself before, it's my favourite grade.
Beckstar: I would be keen to continue using Penrite 10-Tenths if it’s a great oil for the job. I can order the Racing 5 in if needed. I don’t get why Penrite would discourage using this and encourage EDS 10 instead?
SR5: Because Penrite 10-Tenths is designed for high performance race engines, not a 1976 Kombi with a stock 2L engine. It's a great oil, but your Kombi is outside its design brief. A bit like putting steak sauce on ice cream. It won't kill you, but why are you eating that?
Beckstar: concern about compatibility with seals
SR5: Well you are running it now, is it leaking oil more than before? You have the data point here.
Beckstar: I checked the Castrol product selector and it offered only Castrol GTX. Edge is available on their site, but it avoids selecting it. I don’t understand why they would only offer their lowest tier oil.
SR5: The job of the oil company is to select the product that most closely aligns with the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer. Castrol GTX most closely aligns with the VW 1976 requirements. Some car companies update these requirements for certain vehicles, some don't. Your real issue is with VW / VAG not Castrol / Valvoline / Penrite.
I would happily use GTX 15W40 in your Kombi.
Beckstar: The Valvoline Australia web site product selector offers the Premium Mono 30 as the only option for a 76 Kombi! I know there are many who swear by the mono grades, particularly in the type 1 beetle motors, but that’s not me. I want a modern oil that does a great job.
SR5: I would also happily use Valvoline SAE30 monograde in your Kombi, low volatility, shear stability and no problems with cold starting in Australia.
The real issue is that you want to run a modern synthetic, but you want someone else to approve your decision.
Beckstar: You see, I’ve got this chronic condition called “engineer”
SR5: Then put on your big boy engineer pants and make a decision and take the responsibility for your decision. Or if you don't feel qualified to make that decision, then follow the advice of others who have that job, the people at Castrol / Valvoline / Penrite.
You have many suitable options open to you. There is not one perfect oil, rather a lot of suitable oils.
Beckstar: Sorry, what do you mean by “a strong detergent TBN of 9.8…”?
SR5: Overbase detergents are added to oils, not to act like conventional household detergents (that's more like the oil's dispersants job) but to add alkalinity to neutralise acid buildup in the oil from burning hydrocarbons. This is measured by the oils total base number (TBN).
Track only race oils have a low TBN, since the oil gets changed every race or every few races.
Street approved race oils have a high TBN so that you can go a longer distance (e.g. 10,000 km or 12 months) and so can be used on the road. A TBN of 9.8 is high, and this Penrite product is safe to be used for regular street applications, which is what you want to do.
Penrite 10-Tenths are great oils, good heat resistance and shear stability, I have run the 10W40 myself before, it's my favourite grade.
Beckstar: I would be keen to continue using Penrite 10-Tenths if it’s a great oil for the job. I can order the Racing 5 in if needed. I don’t get why Penrite would discourage using this and encourage EDS 10 instead?
SR5: Because Penrite 10-Tenths is designed for high performance race engines, not a 1976 Kombi with a stock 2L engine. It's a great oil, but your Kombi is outside its design brief. A bit like putting steak sauce on ice cream. It won't kill you, but why are you eating that?
Beckstar: concern about compatibility with seals
SR5: Well you are running it now, is it leaking oil more than before? You have the data point here.
Beckstar: I checked the Castrol product selector and it offered only Castrol GTX. Edge is available on their site, but it avoids selecting it. I don’t understand why they would only offer their lowest tier oil.
SR5: The job of the oil company is to select the product that most closely aligns with the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer. Castrol GTX most closely aligns with the VW 1976 requirements. Some car companies update these requirements for certain vehicles, some don't. Your real issue is with VW / VAG not Castrol / Valvoline / Penrite.
I would happily use GTX 15W40 in your Kombi.
Beckstar: The Valvoline Australia web site product selector offers the Premium Mono 30 as the only option for a 76 Kombi! I know there are many who swear by the mono grades, particularly in the type 1 beetle motors, but that’s not me. I want a modern oil that does a great job.
SR5: I would also happily use Valvoline SAE30 monograde in your Kombi, low volatility, shear stability and no problems with cold starting in Australia.
The real issue is that you want to run a modern synthetic, but you want someone else to approve your decision.
Beckstar: You see, I’ve got this chronic condition called “engineer”
SR5: Then put on your big boy engineer pants and make a decision and take the responsibility for your decision. Or if you don't feel qualified to make that decision, then follow the advice of others who have that job, the people at Castrol / Valvoline / Penrite.
You have many suitable options open to you. There is not one perfect oil, rather a lot of suitable oils.
