Castrol GTX causes varnish?

[MuzzleFlash40]

At work I was chatting with one of our fleet mechanics. I told him about this site and all the cool stuff to learn on here. He asked what kind of oil I used, in which I replied mostly Castrol GTX, but I have tried different brands over the past few years since joining BITOG. He gave me a weird look, then went on a rant. Of course he brought up the old Pennzoil causes sludge stuff. He then said something that I've never heard before. He said that Castrol GTX is just as bad as causing engines to varnish. Is this an old guy talking stuff, or is there truth to this?

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
He said that Castrol GTX is just as bad as causing engines to varnish. Is this an old guy talking [censored]...?

Yes he is.

 

[simple_gifts]

Seriously, what do you think.

GTX is SN rated.

When used with appropriate intervals it is better than oil from 5 or 10 years ago.

 

[Chris142]

He's still living in the 60's and has no idea how much lubes have improved

 

[LeakySeals]

Agree 100%. Worst oil out there. Its no 60's thing, happens every day on here and other forums. I ask whenever there's a deposit, sludge, varnish, vvt-i ticking issue what oil was used long term. Overwhelmingly GTX. Think its volatility and longevity combined with non-maintainers and slackers.

 

[Hyde244]

I think Castrol is sure to specifically add varnish to every bottle of GTX.

It is SN rated oil - just as fine as the next brand.

 

[Garak]

He's right, but it's a major half truth. Any conventional you use will cause varnish if used to inappropriate intervals, whatever those intervals might be.

At normal intervals, I'd use GTX with as much confidence as any other conventional out there. It's also priced very nicely up here, which is a bonus.

 

[LeakySeals]

Add Syntec to the evil Castrol list.
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
On a several forums I'm a member of engines with high mileage (200-300k) are burning oil and being torn down for suspected mechanical problems. On a Toyota forum usually what is found are hardened deposits consisting of varnish and flashed oil blocking piston oil returns, rings, etc. I ask every time what oil was used. Usually Castrol GTX and the most recent was Castrol Syntec. In the recent teardown @318k it was the same engine as my camry. Castrol Syntec was used most of its life @5k intervals. Was a highway car which ran 200 miles a day so heat was definitely a variable. Upon teardown there were no mechanical problems, just varnish and hardened carbon blocking piston oil holes. Pictures show a clean but heavily varnished (IMO) engine. Same with the 98-02 Corollas. Clogged piston holes is all thats wrong with all the oil burners in these years. 50+% of them ran Castrol gtx for extended periods."

In pictures..

Looks great up top

Bearings look great too. It still had to be torn down anyways. Why?

Getting closer to hotspots we start to see why.

 

[MuzzleFlash40]

I had never heard that one. It's all my dad uses, and up until a few years ago it is all I every used. It's had a price drop at walmart so i'll probably go back to it for a while.

 

[LeakySeals]

All my dad used too. So did I. Never again will I buy the cheap white bottle. Nor will he. Years ago with the lack of mechanical features like vvt-i, deposits didn't matter as much. So they got away without knowing.

 

[renegade_987]

Most claims of oil's causing sludge and varnish nowadays can be discounted; as long as its a good quality oil they are all virtually fine!

 

[Gabe]

Originally Posted By: renegade_987
Most claims of oil's causing sludge and varnish nowadays can be discounted; as long as its a good quality oil they are all virtually fine!


Sludge or varnish should not be discounted.

 

[OneEyeJack]

If you use GTX then sludge will form in your framus matter separator and we all know what that means. The stenis flouger will need replacing and that can cost hundreds of dollars or more.

 

[Errtt]

I don't see a little varnish being a big concern.
Design, PCV, any previous owners can contribute to varnish.
Using an oil to help clean up with shorter OCIs might help.

 

[chainblu]

Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
He gave me a weird look, then went on a rant.


Did he then go on to say that he uses 20w50 in everything he owns? If so, I know guys just like him.

 

[rcbc96]

But 20w50 offers the BEST protection.........J/K.......I know plenty of guys that say this too.....stuck in the old days.....it's hard to change minds

 

[Errtt]

But 20-50 is popular for Harleys. I don't know if the Ford trucks, Harley edition needs the same.

 

[KCJeep]

At the point he mentioned Pennzoil caused sludge you should have already known he wasn't going to be good for any useful information regarding oil.

 

[Voltmaster]

Change oil in proper intervals.

It does not matter what you use as long its brand name.
Personaly dont like castrol but if its on sale , i shall pick up as much as rebate/offer allows.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Add Syntec to the evil Castrol list.
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
On a several forums I'm a member of engines with high mileage (200-300k) are burning oil and being torn down for suspected mechanical problems. On a Toyota forum usually what is found are hardened deposits consisting of varnish and flashed oil blocking piston oil returns, rings, etc. I ask every time what oil was used. Usually Castrol GTX and the most recent was Castrol Syntec. In the recent teardown @318k it was the same engine as my camry. Castrol Syntec was used most of its life @5k intervals. Was a highway car which ran 200 miles a day so heat was definitely a variable. Upon teardown there were no mechanical problems, just varnish and hardened carbon blocking piston oil holes. Pictures show a clean but heavily varnished (IMO) engine. Same with the 98-02 Corollas. Clogged piston holes is all thats wrong with all the oil burners in these years. 50+% of them ran Castrol gtx for extended periods."

In pictures..

Looks great up top

Bearings look great too. It still had to be torn down anyways. Why?

Getting closer to hotspots we start to see why.

I`d be curious to know the oci`s here. I`m willing to bet extended oci`s (especially on dino) are to blame.