Amsoil 5w30 European Formula any good?

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted By: Craig in Canada
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Oil shear is really an over stated issue with most motor oils today and it shouldn't deter anyone from choosing a high VI oil, a good example of which would be M1 0W-40 with it's VI of 185.


I concede that unproven fear of oil shear may be over-stated, but repeated evidence of a high degree of shearing is not. I did not say "omg! 0W40 will shear because of the spread!". I said "I have observed measured shearing of M1 0W40 even over short OCIs", and I'm not alone. It's one of the few "cons" against M1 0W40.

If I wanted a mid-range 30 in my engine instead of a 40, that's what I would have filled it with in the first place (and expected it to stay in grade). If I chose a light 40 then that's what I want.

Along with viscosity reduction, I wonder what happens to the HTHS post-shear if it was measured. I recall people indicating that they achieve higher fuel economy with M1 0W40 over GC - that may provide some insight into the answer right there.

I remember reading that this M1 will shear to 30w and then rethicken to 40w as you add miles.

 

[UG_Passat]

Originally Posted By: wlyszkow
Originally Posted By: BMWTurboDzl

To get VW 504/507 or C30 there must be almost NO VII improvers


How do you know this?

I read somewhere that it was critical to VW new TDI high pressure pupms - with lots of VII improvers oils would shear down very quickly = form sludge from improvers + stop protecting engines - especially used longlife like 20k miles or more.
VW 504/507 mixed with MB229.51 seem to be the most demanding for low-saps oil currently that is why I can't wait to do UOA on AEL in my Opel ;-) although I'm not sure if UOA on 2-3k mi (like I always do for testing) would be representative for longlife oil...


Oil has nothing to do with the new VW TDI high pressure pumps. The lubrication is via fuel.

You're thinking the older Pump Duse system. However, 505.01 does have a tendency to shear down early, then the viscosity works its way up via soot loading.

 

[UG_Passat]

the HPFP problems on the VW Common Rail 2.0 is where the pump internals are lubricated by fuel.

 

[Craig in Canada]

Originally Posted By: BMWTurboDzl

I remember reading that this M1 will shear to 30w and then rethicken to 40w as you add miles.


I recall the same thing from the now "old" formulation. You have to run an extended interval though (like 15k+) for that to start happening IIRC. A lot of folks simply don't run that long to wait for it to slowly thicken, and it's still sheared out of grade for all of that time "in the meantime".

 

[wlyszkow]

Take a loot at this site, it is in Polish but look at the pictures:
http://vwszrot.pl/ after 200kkm it started... incl. broken head.
Volkswagen Passat Highline 2.0 TDI 140 HP 2005 - bought in Germany.

 

[wlyszkow]

Was it lubricated by longlife GC full of soot..? ;-)

 

[wlyszkow]

Originally Posted By: UG_Passat

You're thinking the older Pump Duse system. However, 505.01 does have a tendency to shear down early, then the viscosity works its way up via soot loading.

Correct, it was PD issue.

 

[UG_Passat]

wow... that is some major timing chain wear!!!

 

[wlyszkow]

So, is there any UOA on Amsoil AEL or I have to be the first one? ;-))

I bought new car to my wife and decided to do UOAs and test some oils :
Factory fill, GM 10W-40 (Motofan style break-in) and GM Dexos2 5W-30 (waiting for UOA - sample sent, 1kkm highway trip that is why 2kkm OCI) and AFL 5W-40 is now (probably too heavy for my wife but we have some hot days now..).
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/5390/myastra.jpg
I decided to change oils every 1kkm / 1 month until I reach 1-2ppm Fe (I hope soon), than I will start 2kkm / 2 months OCIs with UOAs of course.
Oils on my list:
AMSOIL AEL 5W-30
Mobil1 ESP 5W-30
Can be 1 German Castrol (for you..): Edge 0W-30 or 5W-30 or SLX LongTec 0W-30 or Powerflow C3 0W-30 (help me choose the one only.. ;-)
Fuchs 5W-30 with XTL maybe Titan GT1 Pro Flex
Amsoil SSO 0W-30 to see results of lower HTHS (on wear and fuel consumption?) - maybe winter time.
Maybe something from Shell, Motul..

Oils change order not set yet.
Every oil gest new oil filter OEM GM and changed with engine flush very carefully by myself. ;-)