Jetta and Esso XD3

[chief383]

Does anyone see a problem with using XD3 0-30 synthetic in a 1999 Jetta 2.0 gas engine? I realize the XD3 does not meet Volkswagen's oil specs. Currently using GC but my Esso dealer sells the Xd3 for less than half the price of GC. Using a NAPA Gold 1393 as well.

Any feedback appreciated,
Thanks

 

[bobo]

I can't help you with your decision. However, following completion of my AutoRX rinse phase I am switching to Esso XD3, 0W30 synthetic, in my 95 Maxima which has under 61,000 miles on it. It has seen 5w30 conventional, mostly Castrol GTX since day 1.

What weight does the Jetta 2.0 gas engine call for?

 

[olympic]

I'd do it, I can't imagine XD3 causing any issues with your engine. It's intended for diesel engines anyways.

 

[chief383]

Thanks for the responses. I should have added the Jetta has 260,000 km, mostly highway.


Side note:

I am currently using XD3 in my 1991 Accord that has 347,000 km. Just switched at 345,000 km to the XD3, when I bought the car.

A friend of mine drove the car on a 2.5 hour highway trip in 3rd gear (4 speed auto transmission) at 120 + km/h. This puts the RPM'S around 5000 RPM or close to redline. The heat and pressures must have been very great and I think the oil pan gasket got roasted as the car now drips a slight amount of oil (maybe a drip a day). Anyway, when the car returned from this trip there was about a mouthful of black oil left in it.

The XD3 that was in the pan was only 3 weeks old - about 1000km old. I firmly believe that the synthetic oil is the only reason the motor did not destruct.

I dumped the black stuff and did a new change of XD3 and the car runs great again! Unbelievable.
At $3.71/litre this "bonus" change did not hurt the pocket book much either.

cheers

 

[55Test]

Why was he in 3rd gear and not 4th? 4th doesn't work, or maybe he just put it in the wrong gear?

 

[JHZR2]

quote:

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Originally posted by chief383:
Thanks for the responses. I should have added the Jetta has 260,000 km, mostly highway.


Side note:

I am currently using XD3 in my 1991 Accord that has 347,000 km. Just switched at 345,000 km to the XD3, when I bought the car.

A friend of mine drove the car on a 2.5 hour highway trip in 3rd gear (4 speed auto transmission) at 120 + km/h. This puts the RPM'S around 5000 RPM or close to redline. The heat and pressures must have been very great and I think the oil pan gasket got roasted as the car now drips a slight amount of oil (maybe a drip a day). Anyway, when the car returned from this trip there was about a mouthful of black oil left in it.

The XD3 that was in the pan was only 3 weeks old - about 1000km old. I firmly believe that the synthetic oil is the only reason the motor did not destruct.

I dumped the black stuff and did a new change of XD3 and the car runs great again! Unbelievable.
At $3.71/litre this "bonus" change did not hurt the pocket book much either.

cheers

---

I'm sorry, but it seems a little bit odd to buy a car with so much use on it, and then spend the extra $$$ for synthetic. How much more life are you hoping for out of that gasser???

WHy couldnt it be driven in 4th gear? Does the AT not work right?

JMH

 

[hominid7]

VW's tend to have very picky oil pressure sensors. If your oil light goes off it means you need something thicker. My '89 Jetta with a 1.8 ltr gas engine didn't seem to want to survive on anything thinner than a 15w40. I typically ran 20w50 year round, but i realize you are in a colder climate than me so you may get away with 0w30. As far as the VW specs, i'd imagine you are already out of warrenty so as long as the oil meets SL/SM i bet you'd be ok as long as the car can handle the lower vis. Do they make a 0w40? That might be a better alternative.

 

[bobo]

XD3 is available in a synthetic 0w40, but I can't imagine switching such a high-miler over to synthetic without problems. I see no mention of either vehicle seeing AutoRX.

 

[chief383]

To answer the above questions:

The person who drove my Accord was a female - need I say more? Not sure why she drove in third gear versus 4th. 4th gear drops the RPM down to 3200-3500 RPM if I remember correctly, but don't quote me. Would have to do another road test. This is my second vehicle, I primarily drive a 2002 Civic with Mobil 1 0w20 and a Napa Gold 1344. Works beautiful.

The reason I went to synthetic in the Accord was the cost. Most conventional oil in Canada is $2.50 per litre or more. The XD3 is only pennies more. As well I will be changing every 6 months as the kilometres will be low.

As far as my friends VW Jetta goes he has put 200,000 km on the vehicle and visits the "iffy lubes" until I convinced him otherwise. He goes about 10k km between changes and the last change was GC 0-30 - his first synthetic change. He reported he gets and extra 80 km per tank. His trips are always minimum 1500 km non stop. It was the same price to change it ourselves and use Napa Gold and GC vs going to iffy lube. Now I (and you guys!) have convinced him to change to XD-3. His cost per change will be under $30 and done right. As well he will put a minimum of another 100,000 km's on the vehicle. So why not change?

In hindsight it looks like I hi-jacked my own thread! Anyway...no worries.

Thanks again

 

[JohnnyLock]

I had the 99 VW Jetta 2.slow -- I ran everything from 5w30 up to 15w40 rotella. never had any problems. mine did not burn oil though. I do not believe that the VW oil specs even apply to your older vehicle. check the owner's manual. in any event, the engine is probably out of warranty anyway so don't sweat it! Use an HDEO if you are concerned about cleanliness.

 

[hominid7]

quote:

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Originally posted by bobo:
XD3 is available in a synthetic 0w40, but I can't imagine switching such a high-miler over to synthetic without problems. I see no mention of either vehicle seeing AutoRX.

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I agree, but the OP's car has been on a diet of GC.

In my experience the Jettas engine is excellent...It's their electrical systems that drive me crazy

 

[chief383]

Anyone know of a bigger filter for the Jetta? Using a Napa Gold 1393 but is there anything larger that Napa makes that fits and has the correct specifications?

Thanks

 

[huffmuds9320]

You could probably use the revised larger 1.8T oil filter. For the Napa, some people use the 1333. The VW part number is 068115561B.

 

[chief383]

Thanks lpcmidst128

 

[chief383]

MY friends Jetta is still rolling along with XD-3, now with 330,000 km's. His trips to work are much shorter now so he won't be driving 80,000 + per year anymore. My mechanic did a compression test in September 2006 and said it was near factory spec FWIW. Fortunately VW makes good motors, unfortunately the same cannot be said about the rest of the car !! and the parts are so - - - - - - expensive !

As well an update on my Accord - sold it to a friend and it has 375,000 km. To my knowledge the XD-3 0w30 is still in the pan and has been for over a year ! Great oil.

Chief

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

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A friend of mine drove the car on a 2.5 hour highway trip in 3rd gear (4 speed auto transmission) at 120 + km/h. This puts the RPM'S around 5000 RPM or close to redline.

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The engine must've been screaming; she must've had the music blasting to not hear that. Even for a girl, that's pretty bad.