German Castrol Syntec 0w30
- Thread starter Patman
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Have you noticed how it seems these hi-tech oils are sometimes too "hi-tech" for these labs? Blackstone says they can't give accurate calcium readings when the level gets over 2000 ppm, yet we've got Mobil 1 (and GC) which both seem to be highly overbased with calcium. And now we've got this lab trying to test an oil with a pour point somewhere south of -50°C with a testing unit that won't go below -39°C.
These labs seem to be set up to test average OTC oils and when you throw something "exotic" at them, they can't handle it.
G-Man II,
I am an overreactor; I admit it; however, as I see a post that quotes a lab rep as saying, "Hey we put tenths on our reports but our machines can't really detect to that level," and as I am reminded by your post of Blackstone's limitations, and as I look at Patman's latest GC VOA which I really question the accuracy of, I am beginning to question the process by which we BITOG members "dissect used oil analysis to the 'second decimal'" based on reports that may not be accurate at the prime number level!
I am an overreactor; I admit it; however, as I see a post that quotes a lab rep as saying, "Hey we put tenths on our reports but our machines can't really detect to that level," and as I am reminded by your post of Blackstone's limitations, and as I look at Patman's latest GC VOA which I really question the accuracy of, I am beginning to question the process by which we BITOG members "dissect used oil analysis to the 'second decimal'" based on reports that may not be accurate at the prime number level!
Patman
Staff member
Yes, exactly. This oil definitely has a pour point that is at a colder temperature than -39
Patman
Staff member
Here is another quote from the email I was sent, which shows me that Wearcheck went the extra step to ensure they were giving me accurate readings on the additive levels:quote:
Originally posted by G-Man II:
Have you noticed how it seems these hi-tech oils are sometimes too "hi-tech" for these labs? Blackstone says they can't give accurate calcium readings when the level gets over 2000 ppm, yet we've got Mobil 1 (and GC) which both seem to be highly overbased with calcium. And now we've got this lab trying to test an oil with a pour point somewhere south of -50°C with a testing unit that won't go below -39°C.
These labs seem to be set up to test average OTC oils and when you throw something "exotic" at them, they can't handle it.
Patman,
Even if the GC, 0w30 had a pour point of -81F, I'm not sure you could conclude what type of basestock blend it was. When Amsoil released their Series 2000, 0w30 back in 1995, it had a pour point of -76F and it was primarily a PAO based oil. I remember this very well - I thought it was pretty impressive on paper but not particularly useful unless you lived in the Arctic.
The GC, 0w30 seems to be pretty comparable to Mobil 1, based on the limited data I've seen. The real proof of the pudding would be to run some 10k-12k drain intervals and see if it holds up as well as Mobil 1 and Amsoil. Any ACEA A3/B4 rated synthetic should last for at least 10,000 miles when used in a clean running engine ....
Ted
Even if the GC, 0w30 had a pour point of -81F, I'm not sure you could conclude what type of basestock blend it was. When Amsoil released their Series 2000, 0w30 back in 1995, it had a pour point of -76F and it was primarily a PAO based oil. I remember this very well - I thought it was pretty impressive on paper but not particularly useful unless you lived in the Arctic.
The GC, 0w30 seems to be pretty comparable to Mobil 1, based on the limited data I've seen. The real proof of the pudding would be to run some 10k-12k drain intervals and see if it holds up as well as Mobil 1 and Amsoil. Any ACEA A3/B4 rated synthetic should last for at least 10,000 miles when used in a clean running engine ....
Ted
Patman
Staff member
My plan was to run this oil to a 20,000km interval (12,500 miles) in my sister's car until she decided to move to Vancouver in October. So unfortunately we'll have to let someone else go for this type of interval. I'm pretty sure I'm going to stick with 6k intervals in my own car, or at the very most 9k.
I should have a 7500 mile run of GC in the next month or so. If it looks good I intend to try a 10K mile run. I have a 10K mile run on that engine using Mobil 1 so we should be able to get some comparison...
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