Elf Excellium DID 5W40 = Thumbs Down

[LoneRanger]

Did oil change on the wife's TDI today (see sig). Had been running Castrol TXT 5W40 (505.01) and Mann OE filter the past 10,114 miles. Changed today and put in Elf Excellium 5W40 (505.01) and a new Mann OE filter.

Drove it before the oil change to get the oil hot and it felt as normal. Drove it after the oil change and it felt sluggish. It was like the difference between driving solo and having five people in the car in regards to power/response. But its not just that.

I bought the Excellium online and when it arrived yesterday the oil level in the 5 liter jug only showed to be at the 4 1/2 liter mark. That was likely accurate because 4 1/2 liters fills the TDI and it took the entire contents to fill it to the usual level on the dipstick, so it had to contain only 4 1/2 liters. When using five 1 liter bottles I would always have 1/2 a liter left over.

The jug had oil that had run/bled down the bottle sides as well and the translucent pour spout attached to inside of the jug lid was bent, compressed and not usable. But none of the packing peanuts in the package had any excess oil on them to account for a 1/2 liter leak. I paid for 5 liters and I got 4 1/2.

I'm not buying TDI oil online again. Guess I will have to settle for the Castrol 505.01 in 1 liter bottles from the dealer.

$35 down the commode... because I'm going to drain it, get some castrol 505.01 from the dealer and do it again.

 

[Lonnie]

Maybe someone changed the oil that came in the bottle for something else and shipped it to you.

 

[LoneRanger]

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Maybe someone changed the oil that came in the bottle for something else and shipped it to you.

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That very thought has been dogging me since this afternoon, mainly due to the fact you need to run VW spec 505.01 or better oil in the Pumpe Deuse TDI's.

The oil did have a distinct smell though-- I wish I knew what Elf Excellium DID 5W40 smells like.

I will say that the vendor is a registered vendor on an enthusiast site/forum for diesels and I would not be inclined to suspect any product tampering.

 

[LoneRanger]

This is likely going to be packing damage and re-packed by the shipping company.

The vendor is taking care of me on this and shipping out a liter of replacement oil.

Still not impressed by Excellium as an oil, but that is an Elf matter not a vendor matter.

 

[sprintman]

"Still not impressed by Excellium as an oil, but that is an Elf matter not a vendor matter."

On what grounds? Where's the VOA/UOA?

 

[LoneRanger]

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"Still not impressed by Excellium as an oil, but that is an Elf matter not a vendor matter."

On what grounds? Where's the VOA/UOA?

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On the grounds of my butt-o-meter, which is tuned-in to how the car responds, revs, and goes.

 

[Tornado Red]

The VW dealerships are phasing out Castrol TXT 5w40, and are now stocking Castrol 5w30 instead for PD engines.

As for using the Butt Dyno to determine whether the new oil was as good as the old oil -- I don't think so. There would have to be a tremendous difference in oil viscosity, which would be obvious when you were pouring it.

 

[Lorenzo]

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The vendor is taking care of me on this and shipping out a liter of replacement oil.

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That's bull doody. If this was a gallon of milk that you discovered was previously opened and someone drank out of it, would you be ok with the store giving you a pint to make up the difference? You paid for a new 5 liter jug and that's what they should send you.

What's the more likely cause of your strange performance? That the Elf oil sucks, or that you really have something else in that refilled bottle?

 

[LoneRanger]

At least the Excellium smells good. It has a hard to describe aroma, kind of a pungent citrus-like smell.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Dab some behind your ears and walk through the mall if women scream, "That man is wearing citrusy Excellium!" Then you will know you got the right oil...

 

[Cicero17]

I agree with the comfort level on oil. I don't have the comfort level with the Castrol 505.01, so I don't use it. I use Motul specific and have no complaints. I bought a bunch from a California vendor so I am set for a while. I go with 5,000 mile OCI so I haven't bothered with UOA.

Still, I don't think what you put in your car was the oil you thought you bought. I think someone swapped it out on you. It doesn't make sense that a bent pour spout would be packing damage.

However, I don't understand how a common oil would cause sluggish performance. That citrus smell would really bother me. Probably you got hit by a dishonest employee at the vendors.

 

[LoneRanger]

Vendor sent me a liter of Elf Excellium to make up for the missing half liter. The sealed liter bottle didn't have the same strong citrus smell. Being anal about my cars as I am I bit the bullet and changed the oil out with some Castrol SLX Professional OE 5W30 (505.01) that I went and grabbed at the dealer. Did it for peace of mind.

 

[rhi]

I've used the DID 5W-40 for the last 4 changes in my 2006 TDI. I've never come across a bottle that had any type of citrus or other unusual smell.

You made the right decision changing it out. Whatever was in that bottle wasn't DID. I hope it was actually engine oil.

Many years ago, I bought a quart of Mobil 1 for top-up (not the TDI) at a local Pep Boys. I opened it (it wasn't sealed) and it was obviously used motor oil. Some dirt bag had apparently put used oil back in the bottle and returned it to the store for a refund, presumably. I showed it to the manager and he told me: "it happens all the time".

Rich

 

[LoneRanger]

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You made the right decision changing it out. Whatever was in that bottle wasn't DID. I hope it was actually engine oil.

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It was motor oil. When I got the supplemental 1 liter bottle, I went and got the empty 5 liter jug out of my plastic recycle storage bin. I addition to the "smell test" I poured the residual oil left in the bottom of the 5 liter jug and some from the 1 liter bottle side by side onto the top of a white surface (top of the clothes drier but don't tell the wife... cleaned it up good afterward, she's none the wiser). They both appeared identical in tint, viscosity, and general appearance. Just the citrus like smell noticeable in the 5 liter jug.