Is Pento going Cheapo?

[saaber1]

Was looking at vw FSI data and noticed Pento changed from using lots of Calcium to using Magnesium sometime between 1/07 and 6/08 in their 5w40. Also the ppm Fe/1000 mile numbers are markedly higher for the high Mg oils, including one on the same engine (agpatel's).

Or could this be a result of different oil grades? All the UOA's say Pentosynth 5W40 so I just assumed it is all the same oil.

 

[daves87rs]

Hmmm....

 

[yannis]

4 samples and 3 different drivers.

agpatel adds a quart in his first sample.

 

[Built_Well]

Very interesting UOA. Thanks for providing it. According to the "Lubrication Design" page linked from the BITOG homepage ( http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=58 ), calcium and magnesium are detergents. Would their lower levels in the above UOAs have much of an effect on wear so soon--after just one or two UOAs? Zinc probably would as its an anti-wear agent, but as a novice, I'm not sure calcium and magnesium would that quickly?

Also isn't magnesium more expensive than calcium? Chalk is basically calcium carbonate, so I'm guessing magnesium is more expensive than calcium, so Pentosin may not have cheapened out - I don't really know, though.

 

[saaber1]

Magnesium is cheaper. That is why I asked are they going cheapo switching from Ca as a detergent to Mg. Like someone said it is only 4 samples so it doesn't say much but it just got me wondering.