Mannol Energy 5w/30 ester consumption

Joined
Apr 6, 2024
Messages
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Hi, I've just changed my oil in my Z18XE Vectra C with 197,000 miles. It's in good condition and burns less than 1 litre of oil over a 10k interval. I've just drained Valvoline 5w/30 and replaced it with the above with a Mahle filter.

Less than 300 miles in and the level has dropped markedly, I'd say it's used at least half a litre. This is a concern, especially as it's on it's original cat and possibly even O2 sensors, I put their longevity down to it's low oil consumption amongst other things.

At 21 years old and with 197k it's obviously got some wear. Is this oil lacking the additives/seal conditioners of more expensive brands? I'm a bit miffed, the engine is running well, there's no reason to suggest there's some other issue with it. I'm planning to change just the oil in the next few days for something better.

Is there anyone else with experience or an opinion on the above brand and my issue? Thanks!
 
Great engines those!

My Wife had a 2004 MK4 Astra SRi with the Z18XE, it had a really tight ratio's in the gearbox and was far faster than it should have been and reasonably good on fuel too. I think it could get to 60's in low 8's and run off the 130mph speedometer with just 125bhp.

Well... until the timing belt that I neglected snapped and we ended up putting a Vectra C 3.2 V6 engine in it. It absolutely could not handle that amount of power and understeered and torque steered everywhere you went. :ROFLMAO:

Anyway, I digress... I'd go thicker. But then again, I go thicker in everything. If I remember correctly our old MK4 Astra specified a 10w40 although I can't remember what specification? Maybe GM-LL-A-025?

I'm assuming that having a Vectra means you're in Europe, and being that you've put your mileage in 'miles' that you're UK based? If so, go find some Fuchs Titan GT1 Flex 3 5w40. It's a far safer bet than Mannol products, it will be a bit thicker which should help with your consumption, it has a string of very stringent approvals, and it can be picked up for ~£30 for 5 litres. I really do think it's one of the best value oils we can get in the UK right now.

20230612_221238.jpg


Also, read this...
 
Great engines those!

My Wife had a 2004 MK4 Astra SRi with the Z18XE, it had a really tight ratio's in the gearbox and was far faster than it should have been and reasonably good on fuel too. I think it could get to 60's in low 8's and run off the 130mph speedometer with just 125bhp.

Well... until the timing belt that I neglected snapped and we ended up putting a Vectra C 3.2 V6 engine in it. It absolutely could not handle that amount of power and understeered and torque steered everywhere you went. :ROFLMAO:

Anyway, I digress... I'd go thicker. But then again, I go thicker in everything. If I remember correctly our old MK4 Astra specified a 10w40 although I can't remember what specification? Maybe GM-LL-A-025?

I'm assuming that having a Vectra means you're in Europe, and being that you've put your mileage in 'miles' that you're UK based? If so, go find some Fuchs Titan GT1 Flex 3 5w40. It's a far safer bet than Mannol products, it will be a bit thicker which should help with your consumption, it has a string of very stringent approvals, and it can be picked up for ~£30 for 5 litres. I really do think it's one of the best value oils we can get in the UK right now.

20230612_221238.jpg


Also, read this...
It isn't an oil burner, even on 5w/30 Valvoline that was in it previously. I put this down to it's being privately owned from day one, ex hire/fleet cars are often the oil burners. It's suddenly started when I used this oil.

They are good engines, this and the 3.2 are the only decent ones they put in the Vectra C IMO. Well, the 2.8 but that's rare, the 2.2 was utter junk.

That must have flown, how on earth did you squeeze it in?
 
Also, another example of Mannol stretching the truth can be found with this oil specifically.

The technical datasheet says...

"Saves fuel due to low HTHS viscosity"

But it's an A3/B4 oil? Which is a 'high HTHS' (>3.5mPAS) specification.

Then list Ford WSS-M2C913-B which is based on A1/B1 and a 'low HTHS' (<3.5mPAS) specification.

Unfortunately I can't find the HTHS actually listed anywhere. But I absolutely would not put this in my car. Mannol don't seem to know what it is!

https://www.mannol.de/create-pdf/313/en

It isn't an oil burner, even on 5w/30 Valvoline that was in it previously. I put this down to it's being privately owned from day one, ex hire/fleet cars are often the oil burners. It's suddenly started when I used this oil.

They are good engines, this and the 3.2 are the only decent ones they put in the Vectra C IMO. Well, the 2.8 but that's rare, the 2.2 was utter junk.

That must have flown, how on earth did you squeeze it in?

Many many moons ago (I think this was in 2015?) there was a guide with a full list of items you needed to do the conversion. It was quite a common thing to do The most complicated bit was the wiring, followed by a custom engine mount that basically needed a bit of flat steel made up to connect two different mounts together. I think the mount was something like one half of the 2.2 petrol with the other half of the V6.

We used a 2.0DTi gearbox and clutch with a Z20LET flywheel. I think... I could be wrong, it was an awful long time ago.

The original plan was to transplant a Vectra B 2.5 V6 into it. We got a rusty Vectra B and started the conversion, then found a 3.2 V6 on ebay. The engines were much the same, so we carried on the swap but using the 3.2 instead.

After a tune It was in the region of 240bhp and under the bonnet looked like a factory fit! We added some H&R lowering springs with new sachs shocks, GSI brakes and front seats etc. But otherwise, looked totally standard.

I was very sad to see it go. An absolute hoot to drive! It got replaced with a brand new Polo GTi which my Wife had to sell just 6 months later due to the arrival of my Son and a 3 door being totally impractical.
 
Also, another example of Mannol stretching the truth can be found with this oil specifically.

The technical datasheet says...

"Saves fuel due to low HTHS viscosity"

But it's an A3/B4 oil? Which is a 'high HTHS' (>3.5mPAS) specification.

Then list Ford WSS-M2C913-B which is based on A1/B1 and a 'low HTHS' (<3.5mPAS) specification.

Unfortunately I can't find the HTHS actually listed anywhere. But I absolutely would not put this in my car. Mannol don't seem to know what it is!

https://www.mannol.de/create-pdf/313/en



Many many moons ago (I think this was in 2015?) there was a guide with a full list of items you needed to do the conversion. It was quite a common thing to do The most complicated bit was the wiring, followed by a custom engine mount that basically needed a bit of flat steel made up to connect two different mounts together. I think the mount was something like one half of the 2.2 petrol with the other half of the V6.

We used a 2.0DTi gearbox and clutch with a Z20LET flywheel. I think... I could be wrong, it was an awful long time ago.

The original plan was to transplant a Vectra B 2.5 V6 into it. We got a rusty Vectra B and started the conversion, then found a 3.2 V6 on ebay. The engines were much the same, so we carried on the swap but using the 3.2 instead.

After a tune It was in the region of 240bhp and under the bonnet looked like a factory fit! We added some H&R lowering springs with new sachs shocks, GSI brakes and front seats etc. But otherwise, looked totally standard.

I was very sad to see it go. An absolute hoot to drive! It got replaced with a brand new Polo GTi which my Wife had to sell just 6 months later due to the arrival of my Son and a 3 door being totally impractical.
It sounds impressive, such a nice engine, I was massive V6 Cavalier fan back in the day, sadly never owned one. The Vectra 2.5/2.6's were never quite as good. The 3.2 was good, I had one briefly in a Vectra C. Wish I'd kept that too.
 
Also, another example of Mannol stretching the truth can be found with this oil specifically.

Yeah, agreed it does seem thin. But to be fair the car feels smooth enough, I'll keep an eye, if it continues to drop on the dipstick I'll swap it for the 5w/40 Valvoline I've just received.

It was £11, so I bought two bottles, but yeah you get what you pay for. Guess it will be fine for the lawnmower. (The Mannol)
 
I'm not sure it's being burnt, they'd surely be some soot in the exhaust pipe? 🫥

I wonder if it's evaporation, in which case maybe it will settle down? It does have that just serviced (placebo?) smoothness, I'd be surprised if it's fake, although it was only £11 a bottle delivered? Reputable seller though.

(cheap made in India Klarius!)

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