Has Castrol just made a big change to there formula for the GTX line, Reason Im asking is that lately i have noticed that in 3 of 3 cars the engines have gotten noisy in the valve train area and in 2 of the 3 that go through some oil there consumption issues have gotten worse... Anyone else noticed changes using newer GTX?
Current Castrol GTX formula????
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Are you sure you are not just listening extra hard since joining this site...since joining this site I have developed super start-up ear...I even listen to my buddies' engines when they start...the tell-tale noise of the wrong viscosity for the wrong season!...if you are using Castrol in the specific viscosity manufacturer calls for...the body will rust around the motor...
For sure something has recently changed with GTX.
Recent batches of GTX didn't pass the GM6094M test, which resulted in GM taking GTX off the GM approved oil list.
Recent batches of GTX didn't pass the GM6094M test, which resulted in GM taking GTX off the GM approved oil list.
At first i did ignore it thinking i was just paranoid, but.. that doesn't account for the Oil consumption to increase about 40% in two cars a 93 corolla, and a 96 corolla
Years ago i tested all the big oils for the oil with the least burn off for my 94 corolla, sure enough it was GTX and also noticed the later GTX high mileage made a noticable difference i think its time to try a few other oils
Years ago i tested all the big oils for the oil with the least burn off for my 94 corolla, sure enough it was GTX and also noticed the later GTX high mileage made a noticable difference i think its time to try a few other oils
Whats the batch code on those bottles? Gtx what vis? Regular , Hm or what? Back in the early 90s I used Havoline and bought a case. I used it in my Dodge Dakota and Mercury Couger. They sounded rougher and both cars, that didnt consume oil, started the Dodge ate a qt and the Couger used 2 qts of oil in less than 2000 miles. I was disgusted and switched to Castrol GTX after that, I had a bad opinion of Havoline. After noticing on here, how welll Havoline is liked by so many, I attributed that oil usage to simply a bad batch of Havoline, I guess it happens. Oil consumption stopped with the next oil change.
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I tried GTX once right before I switched my car to M1,and my car had lifter tick for about 30 seconds on every first of the day startup.
So, ex-GTX users that didn't switch to synthetic, what's your favorite oil now, and how long have you been running it?
My (new to me)'97 200SX SE-R 2.0 got GTX in it's 1st oil change with Nissan filter about 300 miles ago. I don't know what oil the ex-owner used. I don't like the cold start engine noise. Engine runs flawless, lots of power, recently tuned, no leaks, no consumption (yet). 135k.
My (new to me)'97 200SX SE-R 2.0 got GTX in it's 1st oil change with Nissan filter about 300 miles ago. I don't know what oil the ex-owner used. I don't like the cold start engine noise. Engine runs flawless, lots of power, recently tuned, no leaks, no consumption (yet). 135k.
I'm wondering if the recent reformualtion is the reason why GTX is not on the GM approved list anymore.
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After the GTX lifter tick problems,I started using Valvoline conventional. Never a single tick on startup. That`s my conventional oil of choice. I used that until I switched to M1.
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Did you ever consider that Castrol may no longer agree to pay GM for that rating - so Castrol no longer partakes in the program?????
I dont think the oil companys are hurting for money.
If they are unwilling to pay for something like a cert. they are beyond greedy and i would be unwilling to use that companys product.
If they are unwilling to pay for something like a cert. they are beyond greedy and i would be unwilling to use that companys product.
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Did you ever consider that Castrol may no longer agree to pay GM for that rating - so Castrol no longer partakes in the program?????
I don't know what it costs to be listed as GM-approved, if anything; I do not believe there is a royalty fee for every gallon sold (like there is for Chrysler ATF +4). Anyways, GM did mystery shopper testing that resulted in Castrol getting the boot; it was NOT Castrol's decision.
Castrol probably felt like Michigan football losing to Appalachian St
There is many threads on here about gtx and the gm spec. I don't know for sure but from them threads it looks like the only issue is that gtx is a tad thicker in viscosity compared to others that do have gm cert. If I owned a gm car I would not use it simply because I wouldn't want any issues if I was still under warranty. Out of warranty or any other car would get gtx for me. I have had great results with gtx over the years. Many say they have start up noise with m1 as well. Who knows. I believe gtx is a solid performer though.
It would be interesting to learn what aspect caused GTX to fail. Regardless of what it was, there are numerous other oils that have managed to find a way to meet all requirements. It's the oil marketer's responsibility to formulate their product.
If they passed all the tests originally to get on the list, I guess that would imply that they have since tweaked their product in some fashion to cause them to get the boot. They likely have changed their formulation again (in a hurry) in an effort to get back on the list.
If they passed all the tests originally to get on the list, I guess that would imply that they have since tweaked their product in some fashion to cause them to get the boot. They likely have changed their formulation again (in a hurry) in an effort to get back on the list.
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Did you ever consider that Castrol may no longer agree to pay GM for that rating - so Castrol no longer partakes in the program?????
Syntec and Syntec Blend are still on GMs approved oil list, so Castrol is still willing to pay for the cert.
Whatever they did to get booted off the list, I'm sure they'll fix to get back on it.
Right now im running 0w30 syntec (german castrol) on my newly rebuilt engine in my 94 corolla, i love it works really good 5000km in on the OCI oils still amber. As for the other 3 cars
(96 camry, 93 corolla, 96 corolla) they are to cheap to care what gets dumped in.
I dont think its a bad batch because i have run two seperate rounds in 2 of the 3 cars and im not liking it too much and yes the startup noise and lifter noise, these engines are 100% flat tappet cams and lifters and thats what has me worried..
(96 camry, 93 corolla, 96 corolla) they are to cheap to care what gets dumped in.
I dont think its a bad batch because i have run two seperate rounds in 2 of the 3 cars and im not liking it too much and yes the startup noise and lifter noise, these engines are 100% flat tappet cams and lifters and thats what has me worried..
I have to agree, I had been using castrol syntec blend 5w30 in my prizm with the 4A-FE (1.6 liter). I sent a sample to blackstone labs and it came back really good, except that after 7,000 miles, the oil consumption had gone up significantly. I don't know if this is due to the breakdown of additives or what.
While off-topic I feel the OP should take notice to the fact GM6094M is no longer listed on the castrolusa dot com GTX page of their web-site. Being a long time GTX user this has sadden me a bit sense I now own a new 07 cobalt with just 1100 miles. I was looking to do my first change at 1500 miles with the last two jugs of GTX 5w30 which I bought just a month before buying the car. Like many others I'll be looking for another oil brand...
The bad batch are in the GTX, "Supposably" bad batch oil. I got three cases of it, I wish someone would give some product codes out here. Iam thinking of returning it all to Walmart and re-buying as much Castrol Syntec as I can.
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