20w50 Synth - 80 Porsche 924

[Solidox]

I recently aquired a 1980 Porsche 924. It has nearly 60,000km (37,260Mi). It had been using 20w50 before, and I want to use a synthetic oil. Wondering which brand is best I browsed around on different oil company's sites, and noticed that most of the big brands don't sell a 20w50 synthetic oil. Valvoline was the only brand that had it. But after reading a few threads, Valvoline might not be a very good oil to use and that its not actually a real synthetic.

Should I use the valvoline 20w50 (recommend weight) or should I switch the weight and use a better brand like mobil 1. Cost is a factor and I can't afford the most expensive specialty stuff out there, however it is a small one and I want to extend the life of this car for a VERY long time.

 

[Patman]

Mobil 1 15w50 would be a good choice, if indeed that engine does need a thick 50wt oil. What does the manual recommend?

Although I just noticed you live very close to a Schaeffer distributor (he's in Moose Jaw), so you might want to look into their line of oils too.

[ May 26, 2003, 03:30 PM: Message edited by: Patman ]

 

[Solidox]

Well I don't have the OEM manual but I have the Haynes Manual.

quote:

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Havey duty oils of SD or Se specification
Summer: SAE 30 weight
Winter: SAE 20 weight

For continuos operation between -15 and 0 degrees celsius
SAE 20 W 20 weight

For continuous operation below -15 degrees celsius
SAE 10 weight

---

 

[Patman]

Then I have to ask the question, why did you want to continue using the thicker 20w50 oil? You're just robbing the engine of power and MPG, while most likely causing more engine wear too.

 

[Solidox]

It supposedly runs hot. I don't know how hot.

What should I be using instead?

 

[Patman]

You might want to try out something like a 0w40, 5w40 or 15w40 oil first. Does it have an oil temperature gauge?

 

[Solidox]

No there's no oil temp. gauge.

What exactly do the numbers in the viscosity rating mean?

Is it better to run too low a weight or too high a weight?

I have some more information that might help us find what oil is best suited for my car.

quote:

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Engine Lubrication

Lubrication: Pressure type lubricating system with a rotary (sickle-type) pump

System oil pressure (at 2,000RPM): 5 to 7 bar (71 to 100 psi) at 80° to 100°C (176° to 212°F)

Maximum oil temperature: 150°C (302°F)

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[ May 26, 2003, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: Solidox ]

 

[Patman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Solidox:
No there's no oil temp. gauge.

What exactly do the numbers in the viscosity rating mean?

Is it better to run too low a weight or too high a weight?

---

That's a difficult question really, because in either case it'll result in higher engine wear if you're not running the optimum viscosity for your engine. Keep in mind that it's not going to be catastrophic though (at least not over the short term). Ideally what you want to do is get oil analysis done and see how the wear numbers look and adjust up or down from there.

As far as the numbers in the viscosity of an oil, the first number refers to how well the oil pumps at low temperatures (contrary to popular belief, the first number is not an actual viscosity). The lower numbers pump better in extreme cold temps. The second number is an actual viscosity, measured at 100c. In order to be an Xw20 oil, the viscosity must be between 5.6 to 9.3cst at 100c. To be an Xw30, it must be between 9.3 to 12.5cst at 100c, and to be an Xw40, it must be between 12.5 to 16.3. A 50wt is from 16.3 up to about 22 or 23 cst I believe.

Another thing to keep in mind is that a quality synthetic can protect as well as a thicker conventional oil would, but without the horsepower loss or MPG drop. So if someone's engine calls for 10w40 in the summer, they could safely run a good 5w30 or 10w30 synthetic.

 

[Dr. T]

From my recent trip to Porsche dealership:

"We use M-1 0-40 in the new Porsches....15-50 in the older models as per Porsche Canada"

If it's an 80 model...wow only 37k!!@#@$!..it's most likely recommending the 20-50 as you suggested and you could use either that or Mobil 1 15-50 without problems.

The verdict is still out on thinner vs. thick....the best advice is to use what's recommended. Why not check out roadfly.com porsche message board and see what other owner's recommend.

 

[Patman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dr. T:
From my recent trip to Porsche dealership:

"We use M-1 0-40 in the new Porsches....15-50 in the older models as per Porsche Canada"

If it's an 80 model...wow only 37k!!@#@$!..it's most likely recommending the 20-50 as you suggested and you could use either that or Mobil 1 15-50 without problems.

The verdict is still out on thinner vs. thick....the best advice is to use what's recommended. Why not check out roadfly.com porsche message board and see what other owner's recommend.

---

That's a good idea, as possibly some of them might have oil analysis reports as well, so you can get a general idea of which viscosity and which oil works well in this engine.

 

[Solidox]

Thanks for your help guys. I think I am going to try M1 15w50 synthetic.

But I'll check that other site out first.

 

[cangreylegend]

80 Porshe 924? That probably has the Audi 4 banger in it - basically a VW water cooled. I think those cars loved the 10w-40 grade in those days.
Nearly 60,000 km after 24 years!

 

[Pablo]

You may also want to check the specs on Amsoil Series 2000 20W-50 - this is a pretty darn good oil and acts more like a 15W-50.

 

[quadrun1]

The 1980 Porsche 924 takes 20W-50, but M1 15W-50 will be fine.

 

[Solidox]

The car was sitting around in storage for like 10+ years until my dad bought it in 1996 and then I just recently got it. Its a summer car.