Any 5W50 users - ?

[Yuk]

Originally Posted By: lightdog555
Originally Posted By: Yuk
I used Castrol Syntec 5W-50 for about 8 years and 120,000KM (between 1994-2002) in a 75 hp 1988 Nissan Sentra. No problems of any kind. The car saw every kind of temps, from +40ºC to -40ºC. I was totally sold on the stuff and was convinced it was the best oil known to man. The Sentra came to grinding halt after the transmission gave up the ghost. I still have the engine and it's gleamy inside.

I used the same oil for approximately 115,000 km in my 1999 VW Passat 1.8T and ended up with sludge. So... I guess my glowing approval has ended up waning somewhat.

The 1.8t was a sludge monster. I have that same motor and I got a recall letter some time ago about it. My brother works for BMW and alot former vw/audi owners chime in about it.


Yes, the 1.8T sludge issue is well documented here, but many BITOGERS have reported no sludge when using other grades and brands of synthetic engine oil.

 

[kingrob]

Originally Posted By: Yuk
Originally Posted By: lightdog555
Originally Posted By: Yuk
I used Castrol Syntec 5W-50 for about 8 years and 120,000KM (between 1994-2002) in a 75 hp 1988 Nissan Sentra. No problems of any kind. The car saw every kind of temps, from +40ºC to -40ºC. I was totally sold on the stuff and was convinced it was the best oil known to man. The Sentra came to grinding halt after the transmission gave up the ghost. I still have the engine and it's gleamy inside.

I used the same oil for approximately 115,000 km in my 1999 VW Passat 1.8T and ended up with sludge. So... I guess my glowing approval has ended up waning somewhat.

The 1.8t was a sludge monster. I have that same motor and I got a recall letter some time ago about it. My brother works for BMW and alot former vw/audi owners chime in about it.


Yes, the 1.8T sludge issue is well documented here, but many BITOGERS have reported no sludge when using other grades and brands of synthetic engine oil.



No sludge issues whatsoever in mine. I ran Valvoline, Castrol GTX and when the Maxlife came out I switched to that (all 10w40). That engine was spotlessly clean, right up until it threw a rod

 

[Asterix]

I ran Syntec 5w50 in my '88 Supra (7MGE) for many years, probably from around 50k to 210k miles, when the head gasket went for the 2nd time. At about 190k, the valve shafts were about as small as they're allowed to get. I also ran Fram filters. For just about this whole time I only drained the pan every 10k miles, but spun on a new filter and added 1 quart religiously every 2500 miles. When we rebuilt the engine at 210k, and inspected the bearings, they were fine. I didn't measure the clearances, but the surfaces looked good, with only minor scoring on one.

Since I know better now, I wouldn't run it any more, though the engine seemed to like it... When I drain out the M1 5W30 in a couple of months, I'll probably run Redline 0W40.

Asterix