5w50...what are my options in this case?

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dx92beater

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I am probably going to try some 5w50 in my 4G63 because of the possible low oil pressure at hot idle.

The car is running Advance Auto 20w-50 in it right now.
I have started the car in temperatures as low as 20 degrees and it starts right up with no issues.

I just don't think that is a path that I want to continue going down though.

I want something thinner during startup to protect the engine, but want to keep the pressure up for hot idle.

The alleged oil pressure goes as low as 10 psi at hot idle using Advance Auto 20-50 Dino Oil.

I am tempted to go with Castrol Syntec 5w-50 because I generally like Synthetic oils especially with a turbo car but I don't want to end up with any lower oil pressure than I have at hot idle now and I am afraid that would happen since it would be a Synthetic.

I want to use oil to take control of the "situation" if it is really even one.

The gauge could be inaccurate but I don't want to take a chance.

What 5w-50 oil would you suggest? I can deal with leaks if it comes to that for now.

I could even have the motor replaced if it came to that...but like most of you, I am in no rush!

Thanks
 
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There are not a lot of over-the-counter options for 5w50. I think Castrol may have that grade available on some shelves and you can buy it through a Schaeffer's distributor but others on the site may have better insight.

I would personally think the Rotella 5w40 would be a better option for you and the new formula is even better.
 
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I am willing to give the Rotella a shot, but the oil pressure is low enough as it is at hot idle (this is provided that the gauge is actually accurate)...apparently plenty of 4G63 suffer from low oil pressure at hot idle but I don't want to be the one to find out that it is TOO low!

Won't the 40w be a little bit thinner than the 50w at hot idle?

Thank you
 
Pennzoil Platinum 5w50 can be found at NAPA and has better specs than Castrol's version. I've even found some of the older SL bottles (before it was called Platinum) of it around here. Other than that, you can order Mobil-1 5w50 or get it from some MB dealers (way overpriced from them).
 
Syntec 5w-50 is probably a good oil. BMW PTG race cars used it for a while (not sure if they still do).

As far as alternatives, Mobil 1 has a 5w-50. It's not sold in stores, but you should be able to get it from Ford or Mercedes dealerships since it's used in the Ford GT and McLaren-Mercedes SLR. That's probably a pretty good oil.
wink.gif


Eneos has a 0w50. I don't know much about it but the specs look good at least.



Here are a couple of questions:

1. When you see 10 psi at idle, what is the oil temp? Do you know?
2. What is the normal range of oil pressures for that engine?
 
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Syntec 5w-50 is probably a good oil. BMW PTG race cars used it for a while (not sure if they still do).

As far as alternatives, Mobil 1 has a 5w-50. It's not sold in stores, but you should be able to get it from Ford or Mercedes dealerships since it's used in the Ford GT and McLaren-Mercedes SLR. That's probably a pretty good oil.
wink.gif


Eneos has a 0w50. I don't know much about it but the specs look good at least.



Here are a couple of questions:

1. When you see 10 psi at idle, what is the oil temp? Do you know?
2. What is the normal range of oil pressures for that engine?


Thanks for all of the responses so far. I will investigate further. NAPA is a bit far away from me, I think that Castrol 5w50 is a little bit more available locally. I think that normal oil pressures are from 12-20 psi at idle. I don't know what the oil temperature is when this happens.
 
no, it is purely dependent upon the viscosity at 100C. If the synthetic has a lower viscosity, it may...
 
Another consideration is that a synthetic will usually have a higher viscosity index, which means it will retain its viscosity better at high temps.
 
I really enjoyed these last two posts. I will analyze the viscosity at 100c. I am used to analyzing the viscosity at startup to stop smoking at startup for other cars that I have driven.

I was thinking the same thing about a high flow filter. [censored] good idea. Hopefully there isn't one on it already!!

A 4g63 is used in the 1st and 2nd generation Talon Eclipse and Lasers.

It is also used in my car, a Mitsubishi Galant VR4.

I think that it is also used in a Mistubishi Evolution...but I will probably never be rich enough to find out!
 
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Another consideration is that a synthetic will usually have a higher viscosity index, which means it will retain its viscosity better at high temps.


Yes, now I see why you are asking what the oil temperature is when this is happening. I am reading stories of people's exhausts being too close to the oil pan and causing excessive heat.

Previous owner is telling me that he knows it isn't the oil pump...presumably because he replaced it.
 
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Use a high flow wix race filter - not a pureone or bosch. What engine is a 4G63?


Mitsu.. Think Eclipse (first and 2nd gen)
 
beater,

You might consider using Mobil 1 15W-50. It will provide the high viscosity you want at 100 deg C. and it will certainly be better than dino 20W-50 when starting the engine cold. I used M1 15W-50 year-round in an Alfa when stationed in Germany a few years ago. The car always started, even at temperatures of, say, 5 deg F. Also, the 15W-50 would be more shear stable than a 5W-50.
 
Originally Posted By: marco246
beater,

You might consider using Mobil 1 15W-50. It will provide the high viscosity you want at 100 deg C. and it will certainly be better than dino 20W-50 when starting the engine cold. I used M1 15W-50 year-round in an Alfa when stationed in Germany a few years ago. The car always started, even at temperatures of, say, 5 deg F. Also, the 15W-50 would be more shear stable than a 5W-50.


Don't call me beater! hahahahahh

This was another thought of mine....15w-50 M1. Yes, more shear stable! Much more readily available (even at good old Walmart). It is also cheaper!

This should buy me the time that I need to relax and analyze the situation! The only thing that I am thinking about is that even though the car starts, won't I be putting more wear on the engine at startup than I would with a 5w-50?

Of course if the Syntec 5w-50 shears that could be instant death due to low oil pressure lol.
 
Hi,
dx92beater - Depending on the absolute viscosites involved with both it is likely that you may experience a reduction in viscosity when changing from a mineral to a synthetic lubricant.

This is because of the more linear flow characteristics of (most) synthetics. IME this can be up to around 0.5bar
 
Originally Posted By: marco246
beater,

You might consider using Mobil 1 15W-50. It will provide the high viscosity you want at 100 deg C. and it will certainly be better than dino 20W-50 when starting the engine cold. I used M1 15W-50 year-round in an Alfa when stationed in Germany a few years ago. The car always started, even at temperatures of, say, 5 deg F. Also, the 15W-50 would be more shear stable than a 5W-50.


+1 to this. Exactly what I would suggest.
 
M1 15-50. It's a robust synthetic with excellent properties. It's not too "thick" for your location. In fact, I put some in my deep freezer (-15f) and it still was liquid. That's good enough for winter use in most of the continental USA. In fact, you may find that M1 15-50 is too thin for some applications, like ahhhh, high boost turbo applications in South Florida (ummm, who would do that???)

Those engines are known for oil pressure issues and piston ring sealing issues (due to low tension rings). Using a good synthetic with some viscosity to it will help substantially in a number of ways. On your next change, try the M1. I'll guess that you will be pleased.
 
What's the oil ppressure at 1500 rpm? 10 psi at idle is no problem: No load on the engine at idle. Now if you have a large bearing clearance on a rod or main journal - that could be a problem. I am unfamilair with oiling on these engines, and most asian engine run .0005-.0025" diametrical bearing clearances currently.
 
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