M1 5W40, 10,853 miles, VW Jetta 1.8T

[TheRealJohnV]

Yes, this is 5W40 turbo diesel truck oil from Mobil 1. Previously I had been using Mobil 1 0W40.
152,000 total miles after this change.
Oil was in service for the period 1/24/09 through 7/28/09, approximately 6 months.
Zero quarts added between changes.
I use Purolator PureOne oil filters replaced at every oil change and OEM air filters replaced every 30,000.

This engine has been showing high silicon (45, then 41, then 23 on this change) for the last 30,000 miles where before that it was always 8-9 ppm. Back when I got the first high reading I replaced the air filter and found a leaking PCV hose that might have been sucking in grit. Then on the next change I had to replace the valve cover gasket and I did use an RTV Silicone sealer on it. This change it is indeed lower, but still high.

This is the first high Sodium reading. The blackstone comments are to check to see if the engine is eating antifreeze (I have not seen the level drop) but they show a 0% for water and also antifreeze?

Thoughts?

Below are the values, in ppm, for this change followed by the location average for this unit followed by the universal average.

Code:


Aluminum 4 - 3 - 3

Chromium 0 - 0 - 0

Iron 8 - 12 - 12

Copper 14 - 10 - 6

Lead 3 - 2 - 3

Tin 0 - 0 - 0

Moly 14 - 65 - 50

Nickel 0 - 1 - 1

Manganese 1 - 0 - 1

Silver 0 - 0 - 0

Titanium 0 - 0 - 0

Potassium 3 - 2 - 1

Boron 21 - 35 - 54

Silicon 23 - 18 - 9

Sodium 23 - 7 - 6

Calcium 1537 - 2148 - 2257

Magnesium 723 - 141 - 190

Phosphorus 924 - 675 - 760

Zinc 1231 - 848 - 907

Barium 0 - 0 - 0



SUS Visc @ 210F 72.2 - 65-78

cSt Visc @ 100C 13.53 - 11.6-15.3

Flashpoint F 395 - >375

Fuel% 0

Antifreeze% 0

Water % 0

Insolubles .3 -

 

[FowVay]

I think that's a nice analysis for a 1.8T with 150,000+ miles on the clock.

Dirt ingestion is not a issue based on the chromium number. The copper is likely from the oil cooler so it's not a issue for this engine either.

Overall, I'd say that's a strong report. I don't think you have a coolant leak either. Silicon is anti-foamant and you should have seen a change between the 0W-40 and the 5W-40. The sodium is obviously from the salt that's on the rice as you blow past them (that's a poor joke folks).

It's a great oil choice for a great engine design.

 

[TheRealJohnV]

Thanks, even though these 1.8T's are known as sludgers I haven't seen anything to indicate this one has any problems. We are reasonably hard on this motor and it's never been opened. Original turbo as well.

Nobody has any ideas about the sodium?

 

[e40]

That's one of the lower iron figures I've seen for the 1.8T, I'd stick with it!

What were your Fe numbers when running 0w40?

 

[wavinwayne]

Originally Posted By: TheRealJohnV
Thanks, even though these 1.8T's are known as sludgers I haven't seen anything to indicate this one has any problems...


The 1.8T used in the Jetta, New Beetle, and GTI did not, as a general rule, suffer the sludge problems. It was primarily a problem in the Passat and Audi A4, which had a smaller sump capacity and longer OCI.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: FowVay
The sodium is obviously from the salt that's on the rice as you blow past them

RealJohn, any modifications on this car?

 

[TheRealJohnV]

The car has had a cat-back exhaust on it for the last 20,000 miles. The stock cat-back rusted out at the hangers so I replaced it.

Other than that it is stock except for some suspension upgrades.

In the time that I used the 0W40 (since 100,654 miles) I have done 10,000 mile changes and the Fe has looked like this:

100,654: 14ppm
110,658: 13ppm
120,658: 17ppm
130,821: 12ppm

I then changed to the 5W40 diesel truck oil and it has looked like this:

141,227: 10 ppm
152,080: 8 ppm

Everything electrical has failed on the car at one point or another but the engine seems to be indestructible (knock on wood).

Thanks,

John

 

[saaber1]

Originally Posted By: TheRealJohnV
Nobody has any ideas about the sodium?


I have seen high sodium in numerous blackstone results lately and none seem to have potassium.

What is the deal with that?

 

[buster]

Nice results.

 

[e40]

Those are good Fe numbers historically. I wonder if all the UOA's we've seen of the 1.8T's with 30 and 40ppm iron have PCV system problems? It's a complex PCV system, mine was toast after only 90k miles.

 

[98dakarM3]

If I recall correctly, the 1.8T only had sludge problems when used in longitudinal applications... Passat, A4, etc.

Good report with the TDT. I've had very good success with it in my BMW.