Mobil 1 0w-40 Consumption Issue & Grade loss

[Al]

Well I guess the 0W, and 5W oils will just allow you to use more oil bc in the shorter trips you are not running up to the operating temperature. I would guess that you will use a lot less with the 10W oil. 10W-40 Redline could be a good move. Let us know how it works. You shouldn't have any issues with a 10W in synthetic considering you are from Cali.

 

[Jimbo]

Sorry to hear about that. I was thinking of trying M1 0W-40 in my '92 325i, but was afraid it would leak or burn. Anyway, if your baseline is 1qt/1500mi, I think you're stuck with the thicker grades. Is the startup noise from the VANOS unit or do you know? If you try 10W-40, let us know the results.

 

[MolaKule]

Cary,

If I could purchase Redline for that price you know what I'd use!!

Try the Redline 10W30; it's thicker than you think and uses narrow cuts of polyol esters to acheive it VI.

[ August 11, 2003, 03:02 PM: Message edited by: MolaKule ]

 

[Titanium_Alloy]

Cary,
I'm also from Nothern Cali (west bay area if be exact). Can you tell me where do you get Redline for 6.25/quart?
The only place I saw it was Napa at 7.75/quart.

Thanks,

 

[Cary]

quote:

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Originally posted by Titanium_Alloy:
Cary,
I'm also from Nothern Cali (west bay area if be exact). Can you tell me where do you get Redline for 6.25/quart?
The only place I saw it was Napa at 7.75/quart.

Thanks,

---

Monument Car Parts in Contra Costa County. $6.50 per quart, or $24.99 per gallon ($6.25 quart). Monument stocks all the weights except 5w-40, but they will order it for no cost and have it in two days. Since Redline started in Martinez (about 5 miles from where I sit) and are now only 10 miles away, Monument has been their biggest seller.

Cary

 

[Patman]

If you guys want Redline, look at the very bottom of this thread. www.myoilshop.com will give you a great price on it.

 

[Titanium_Alloy]

[ August 11, 2003, 04:10 PM: Message edited by: Titanium_Alloy ]

 

[jason07-1zzfe]

Red Line 10w40 works great in that motor. I predict your consumption will be even less than M1 15w50!

It was for me.

 

[sbc350gearhead]

I would probably try redline for 6.25 a quart. The cheapest I can find it locally is 7.99 a quart (jegs is about 4 miles from my house).

 

[Dr. T]

Cary I had the same experiences with both those grades of Mobil 1 in my BMW too. The consumption would concern me as well. It does seem on the high side.

Of course Redline is a great oil (although I have never personally used it) - it's a good option especially since you're right in CA.

I will guarantee though, if you with to try Castrol Syntec 5-50 that you will 1. reduce or perhaps eliminate start-up noises 2. will cut your consumption down by 100-200% over either grade of the M-1 3. engine will feel more powerfull and 4. increase fuel economy by 1-2 mpg.

Case in Point: A buddy of mine who purchased an oil-smoking/previous-owner-abused `88 325 has recently admitted that his consumption is cut by over half with his first interval of Syntec 5-50 over using conventional 20-50. And he used to change the oil every 2k mi. (because it was black)...he's now going on 4k because "the oil still looks good". Tells me the car never ran better.

But, I know, I know, heaven forbid anyone on this board recommend (or admit) to using a group III lubricant, yada, yada, yada...that's why I'm currently trying the 10-60

 

[Cary]

quote:

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Originally posted by Dr. T:

I will guarantee though, if you with to try Castrol Syntec 5-50 that you will 1. reduce or perhaps eliminate start-up noises 2. will cut your consumption down by 100-200% over either grade of the M-1 3. engine will feel more powerfull and 4. increase fuel economy by 1-2 mpg.

---

It's funny you mention the Castrol 5w-50 because I remember when it came out (1995 or so) several guys on the bmwdigest tried it and there were some reports of engine failure during autocrosses by members running the oil. I went back and did a search and now it seems to be a pretty popular oil with the BMW guys.

I am leaning towards switching to Redline 5w40 in the BMW and 5w30 in the Landcruiser. I figure in the BMW it will keep the weight where it should be and lower consumption, and the in the Landcruiser I will have the same weight as the Mobil after shear.

Cary

 

[moribundman]

I'm just going to parrot what I've been saying over and over. I've used Castrol Syntec 5W-50 from '96 till some time in 2000, when I found out about hydrocracked oil. The Castrol did just fine in my engine. I drove the car hard and did 10k miles oil change intervals. My engine runs just fine and seems healthy at 126k miles. However, I refuse to pay that price for oil that's beeing advertised as a synthetic, without being completely honest about it. Over and out.

 

[F1Crazy]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cary:
It's funny you mention the Castrol 5w-50 because I remember when it came out (1995 or so) several guys on the bmwdigest tried it and there were some reports of engine failure during autocrosses by members running the oil. I went back and did a search and now it seems to be a pretty popular oil with the BMW guys.

I am leaning towards switching to Redline 5w40 in the BMW and 5w30 in the Landcruiser. I figure in the BMW it will keep the weight where it should be and lower consumption, and the in the Landcruiser I will have the same weight as the Mobil after shear.

Cary [/QB]

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Just recently I heard of a few situations where Vanos ticking problems in newer M62 engine where solved by using mentioned Castrol 5W-50. Your M50 engine is also a single Vanos unit and from what I can tell it likes heavier engine oils. Redline 5W-40 is a nice choice, especially at that price.

Noisy Vanos problems could be traced in many cases to the wrong oil choice. When Vanos was introduced many owners were used to using 20W-50 and complained about noisy startup, it was obviously because of lack of lubrication when oil was cold.
Recently Vanos tapping noise is observed in warm engines and engine speeds from idle to around 2000RPMs. This again can be traced to wrong oil choice, this time 5W-30 being too thin.
As always YMMV and if problems persist you better check with your mechanic.

 

[Cary]

Hi,

So I started running the M1 0w-40 in my 96 Toyota Landcruiser, and after 2000 miles 0 consumption. So I go ahead and decide to try it in my 94 BMW 525i, and I am using a quart every 750 miles. Prior to this I was using M1 15w-50 in the 525i with 1 quart per 1500 miles. I should note the consumption is not out of line because the car is driven primarly on short (less than 5 mile trips) with the ocasional longer drive.

So now my question is what to do? I like the faster startup lube of the 0w-40 (the car is much quieter at startup) but I am conserned about the consmption. Also, I am somewhat concerned by the UOA's showing consistant shearing down of the 0w-40, mainly because I fear sludge from the breakdown. I am considering switching to Redline 5w-40 or 10w-40 since they are only $6.25 locally, but if I have to would go back to the 15w-50. What do you guys think?

Cary