Delo 15w40 - 2200miles - 2011 Camaro LS3

[Peted]

The engine felt very sluggish with this oil. I switched it out for Delo 5w40 synthetic.

A lot of high way miles on this oil. Red lined two or three times. Other wise I drove quite easy with this oil.

Royal Purple oil Filter.

Engine is Stock.

 

[chubbs1]

I would go back to the Mobil 1 0w40. JMO

 

[Peted]

Yep I dumped the 15w40 early. Right now I have Delo 5w40, but the engine still seems sluggish. The engine responded fantastically with the Mobil 1 0w40. I think I'm putting it back in after this run of Delo 5w40. The Mobil 1 0w40 is great stuff.

Right now I have 2000miles on the Delo 5w40. I drive a lot, 15K-20K miles a year. So my next OCI should be in 3 months or so.

 

[Oregoonian]

Its a shame there wasn't a TBN....but I would guess it was very high.

If it felt sluggish....it might help in using either a 5w30 or...a 0w30. Mobil 1 might be a good choice. What does the manufacture (Chevy) recommend?

P.S. Hope you continued to re-use the RP filter...it has a lot more filtration left in it (up to 15K).
_______________________________________________
03' Ford Focus (2.3L Duratec PZEV) / 99K
Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 / Purolator PureOne / OCI: 8K +/-

 

[Peted]

Factory recommends Mobil 1 5w30, but I like to take the car to the track every other weekend. I just didn't feel comfortable red lining with Mobil 1 5w30.

So I plan on putting Mobil 1 0w40 back in. It seems like the perfect oil for the application.

and yes I reused the RP filter

. Those things last forever!

 

[daman]

It looks like the RP filter is working.

 

[Torrid]

Personally on my reading instead of going thicker I think I'd try the Pennzoil Ultra. I'm just not sure you have much to gain going with 5w40 diesel oil. Yes I know it won't hurt anything, but if you are determined to use a 40wt, I think the Mobil 1 0w40 is the best choice.

I used to claim thicker is better and most seem to think that with GM LS engines. I have an LS1 and while I think Mobil 1 5w30 has been less than I ideal for these engines I think it has more to do with it being Mobil 1 than the weight. With that being said I have Mobil 1 5w30 + 1qt 15w50 and a bit of ZDDP additive. I'm planning to UOA on this one because I'm curious of how it will turn out. Technically the viscosity should be right about 12 at 100c for my blend and also where most LS experts say the sweet spot for these engines are. That could explain your sluggishness feeling.

 

[pbm]

I'd use GC 0w30 in that engine.

 

[Torrid]

Originally Posted By: pbm
I'd use GC 0w30 in that engine.


I can't believe I forgot to mention that one. I'd consider going back to that as well.

 

[tig1]

By the way, you should do two OCs in a row with any oil before doing a used oil analysis. Skipping around like you are doing doesn't give a very accurate used oil analysis of an oil.

 

[Patman]

I wouldn't be running such a thick oil in this engine, especially while under warranty. I'd recommend choosing a good 5w30 synthetic and sticking with that. The thick oils will offer no benefit in this engine whatsoever.

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: Oregoonian


P.S. Hope you continued to re-use the RP filter...it has a lot more filtration left in it (up to 15K).


I wouldn't start using oil filters for extended periods just yet. The engine is still breaking in and producing excess metals which could clog the oil filter prematurely. Once engine break in is done and the metals have stabilized, sure.

 

[addyguy]

For your warranty, you need to be using a dexos-approved 5w30 oil in this engine. GM says specifically NOT to use 40-weight oil.

But hey, who needs the warranty coverage, right?

Some people here really DO have more money thatn brains!

 

[bigmike]

Alot of people run a 40 weight in LSx engines. GC is closer to a 40 than a 30 as well and it's a known winner.

I'm running a fill of Delo 15w40 right now but only because I got it cheap. 6 months of 40W during the summer in Florida isn't going to hurt either. I don't see the problem nor do I see much of a benefit.

I haven't noticed any engine sluggishness but I don't drive that hard and you have a whole different animal in that SS.

 

[Jim Allen]

I agree with those suggesting Dexos approved 30 grades.Or at least a good 30 grade. I seriously doubt you need a 40 grade oil, let alone a 15W40 in that engine and that UOA certainly doesn't demonstrate any need for it (i,e. fuel dilution or excessive shearing). Not to mention an HDEO which is also likely non-optimal.

When you zing that engine out with a heavy 40 grade, I bet the oil pressure is spiking big-time and likely tossing the lube system into full relief, if not popping the bypass open briefly in the filter. If you knew your oil temp normally ran high (230F +) then maybe a 40 grade, but if that was the case, GM likely wouldn't be recommending a 30 grade in a hi-po machine.

I've railed against chicken-little-esque warranty terror but this is a case where you've deviated enough from the factory recommendation (while your operational situation is well within "normal") that it could be a problem for you.

 

[Torrid]

I've had a history of recommending heavier oils, but GM specifically states not to use 15w40 and 20w50 in the owners manual. I'm assuming that is due to startup viscosity. The furthest I would go would be 0w40 and maybe 5w40, but I'm out if warranty. On a warranty I would use what is approved, most likely Mobil 1 5w30. Hard for them to burn you on oil selection if you are running exactly what the oil cap says.

 

[bigmike]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
I agree with those suggesting Dexos approved 30 grades.Or at least a good 30 grade. I seriously doubt you need a 40 grade oil, let alone a 15W40 in that engine and that UOA certainly doesn't demonstrate any need for it (i,e. fuel dilution or excessive shearing). Not to mention an HDEO which is also likely non-optimal.

When you zing that engine out with a heavy 40 grade, I bet the oil pressure is spiking big-time and likely tossing the lube system into full relief, if not popping the bypass open briefly in the filter. If you knew your oil temp normally ran high (230F +) then maybe a 40 grade, but if that was the case, GM likely wouldn't be recommending a 30 grade in a hi-po machine.

I've railed against chicken-little-esque warranty terror but this is a case where you've deviated enough from the factory recommendation (while your operational situation is well within "normal") that it could be a problem for you.


You bring up a good point.. I'd really like to know what oil pressure this car is producing at high RPM with the 15w40.

 

[chevman4life]

Not every worries about what the factory wants and hey how many engines have you heard blowing up or having problems because you didn't do exactly what the manual says. People have been using different things for years and will continue. Though I don't see the need for 15w40. If it were me, it would have 10w30 in it. Which by the way never messed up any of my 200k vehicles or voided warranties. As I have said before, it boils down to personal preference.

 

[hattaresguy]

So what's your engineering data to refute GM's? There engineers tested that motor extensively in all conditions, and came to the conclusion that a 5w30 was just right.

Try something wild, run a Dexos approved 5w30 for 2 oil changes and see if those wear numbers don't come down, I bet they do.

BTW the problem with to heavy of an oil is the system can go into by pass, to much oil pressure isn't a good thing, when in bypass your not getting the required oil flow, that might explain why your bearings are shedding a lot of metal.

 

[Torrid]

I agree 100%, but I'm thinking of possible dealer gripes if you have any issues with any engine internals during to course of the warranty.