lowest temp for mobil 1 15w50

[Russell]

I have been thinking of going to Mobil 1 15w50 in my 95 BMW when I finish my second Auto Rx treatment and rinse.

BMWs seem to like heavy oil. Except there is some concern with heavier oil and noise from hydralic lifters on a cold start. However, I am not sure if I should use it in the winter. Temperatures here in central KY are not realy cold. it does get down to around 0 for a few days. Most of the time 15 degrees is really cold.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

0/5W-40 in the winter & 15W-50 from mid-April thru October is a no worry policy in your neck of Tucky.

 

[Volvohead]

I'd just run the Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5w40 year round, unless you really need a 50.

 

[sprintman]

I'm changing to Mobil 1 15W50 from Mobil 1 5W50 when I get time. Been a little busy lately as most of you would be aware. 38C for the last two days, 15W50 should be just fine in my turbo with 240,000kms on the clock.

 

[Al]

O.K. I'll say it.

You could do a mix of 5w30 and 15W-50

 

[Flimflam]

quote:

---

Except there is some concern with heavier oil and noise from hydralic lifters on a cold start.

---

Regarding lifter noise, every case I know of with such a problem has been because of light oil (5w30), not heavy oil.

Most times, the guy would just pour in some thick stuff additive, such as STP, and the noise would go away. In extreme cases, it may have required a change to heavy oil (20w-50).

You will be in good shape with the Mobil 1 15w-50. Or at the very least, in better shape than if you used 0w-40 M1.

But if you can get it, Schaeffer Supreme 20w-50 would be a much better choice.

 

[Russell]

flimflam
I think the startup noise is a first start with a cold engine "pump up issue". Thinner oil seems to have less noise for a few seconds than thicker oil. I am talking about a six cylinfer 1995 BMW 525i with the M50TU engine and hydraulic lifters. The lifter noise stops after 20 to 30 seconds even with thicker oil. Just my observation.

 

[Russell]

Kendogg441,
I have thought of the Vanos noise. That could be what is happening. Not sure as the noise goes away with lighter oil (mobil 10w40) after 10seconds or less in cold temperatures.

This is the first time I have ever heard of the oil pump nut issue on the BMW M50 six. I heve heard it is a serious problem with the BMW M60 V8 engine.

Tell me more please? How can you tell if there is a problem etc.? I might want to check this out.

I sure agree with the cooling system components. I replaced a radator, water pump, thermostat, pullies and belts since I owned it.

 

[caprice_2nv]

I have basically the same question, but the reason I have for wanting to use the heavier oil is to lower the oil consumption/leaking on my 86 Caprice with the 305. The motor has been overheated several times and just generally beat on, compression is still within spec but its burning oil from the valve guides and leaking a lot. It gets as low as -20f here in the winter and the car has no block heater. Right now I'm using the cheapest 10w30 oil i can get and topping it up every few days. No starting problem's at all but it's still using a qt at least every 500 miles. I drive 2 hour round trip to work and back 5 days a week and then at least 2-300 miles on the weekend. I don't want to swap my other 305 in until the weather is warm out again. Do you think I can get away with 15w50 synthetic and still start on cold days? I know the heavier non synthetic oils are definately out of the picture, but would the 15w50 lower my consumption enough to be worth the extra cost? If it was warmer out I'd run 15w40 rotella.

 

[kendogg441]

With those BMW's, especialy M/S50's, the noise you are hearing more often than not usually ins't lifter tick, your probably hearing vanos ticking. When those thigns start to get bad, too, they sound just like a lifter tick, but do not go away as easily. One of the worst problems with an M/S50, besides the sub-par cooling system parts, and the oil pump nut backing off problems.