On an Audi forum, owners of the 2.7 twin turbo often claim that Mobil 1 0W-40 use results in valve train noise and that a switch to 10w30 or 10W-40 Mobil 1 eliminates the noise. I run this 0W-40 just fine in my 2.8 BMW 6 cylinder and my 2.7 twin turbo Audi. Do these reports make any sense?
Mobil 1 0W-40 noise issues
- Thread starter rfeir
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I have found between Mobil 1 0W-40 & GC 0w30 in my VW 2.0T that the engine is quieter with the GC as compared to Mobil 1. Nothing scientific, just based upon what I can hear.
Originally Posted By: rfeir
Do these reports make any sense?
Reports of noisy engines with Mobil 1 0w-40 have been quite widespread in the past. Whether they still apply to current API SN formulation, I don't know. Whether the noise is an indication of any engine harm, I don't know either.
Do these reports make any sense?
Reports of noisy engines with Mobil 1 0w-40 have been quite widespread in the past. Whether they still apply to current API SN formulation, I don't know. Whether the noise is an indication of any engine harm, I don't know either.
I'm going from multiple OCI Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 to Mobil 1 0w40 for the first time in a GM 3800 v6 this weekend. Its very quiet now and I have wabbit ears. If I hear anything will report it.
From my own experience, I would concur with the noise complaints. It actually sounds like lifter noise, and I can hear it on my 2.7 from the middle of both valve covers. I've used the long screwdriver trick to rule out the cam chain tensioners, so it must be the lifter buckets.
I even went far enough as to pull the covers and inspect the cams and buckets for wear (some S4 engines had soft cams and the noise was the warning bell that they were eating themselves), but there is no visible evidence of any abnormal wear. It's still unerving to hear the constant noise, though. Maybe it's the interaction of the top of the valve stem with the lifter that makes the noise.
I've got one change of GC and one of the new BC up next, and I hope they will quiet things down. Right now, I am currently running Quaker State 10w30 with a shot of RL to beef it up a bit and the noise was lessened a bit.
I even went far enough as to pull the covers and inspect the cams and buckets for wear (some S4 engines had soft cams and the noise was the warning bell that they were eating themselves), but there is no visible evidence of any abnormal wear. It's still unerving to hear the constant noise, though. Maybe it's the interaction of the top of the valve stem with the lifter that makes the noise.
I've got one change of GC and one of the new BC up next, and I hope they will quiet things down. Right now, I am currently running Quaker State 10w30 with a shot of RL to beef it up a bit and the noise was lessened a bit.
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What's the differences between Mobil 1 0W40 and 10W40HM? The HM having a slightly higher viscosity and a seal swell/conditioner? Is the HM additive some kind've ester?
I'm using 0w40 Mobil in my BMW for the first time and
I didn't notice any difference in noise from the other
oils.
I didn't notice any difference in noise from the other
oils.
Some oils just seem to mask valvetrain noise better than others. I'm not sure what does it, but my opinion is to use an oil that the engine seems to "like".
The B6/B7 S4 guys had better luck with Motul XCess 5w40 quieting down the timing chains and valves. It still meets VW spec, so I say why not?
The B6/B7 S4 guys had better luck with Motul XCess 5w40 quieting down the timing chains and valves. It still meets VW spec, so I say why not?
Mobil 1 0w40 SN definitely made noise once it went into my Mercedes. It quietening down after a while.
At the end I was wondering whether I should even change it. But it was 14 months old at that point.
Pennzoil Ultra 5w40 SM has been very quiet from the beginning.
At the end I was wondering whether I should even change it. But it was 14 months old at that point.
Pennzoil Ultra 5w40 SM has been very quiet from the beginning.
Hi,
rfeir - I am a long time user of Mobil 1 0W-40 over a very wide range of engine types and families. Yes, it can sound noisy in some instances and this worries some people. There is no evidence whatsoever that the noise relates to any lack of protection or increased wear rates of any components
I've used it in a number of Benz engine families I've owned and in the Porsche cars I've owned too - all with excellent results. Currently it is in a number of engines I have or look after including a Mitsubishi 4G69H - it has been perfect in that application but it did prolong the break-in process a little. To me that's a great outcome!!
Its characteristics have shown that it has excellent durability and wear protection when used as directed. Any noise is inconsequential!
rfeir - I am a long time user of Mobil 1 0W-40 over a very wide range of engine types and families. Yes, it can sound noisy in some instances and this worries some people. There is no evidence whatsoever that the noise relates to any lack of protection or increased wear rates of any components
I've used it in a number of Benz engine families I've owned and in the Porsche cars I've owned too - all with excellent results. Currently it is in a number of engines I have or look after including a Mitsubishi 4G69H - it has been perfect in that application but it did prolong the break-in process a little. To me that's a great outcome!!
Its characteristics have shown that it has excellent durability and wear protection when used as directed. Any noise is inconsequential!
Increased noise really is strange.
Mobil 1 0W40 quieted my Volvo XC70 and my mom's SHO.
I'd say increased noise is merely reduced acoustic damping.
Mobil 1 0W40 quieted my Volvo XC70 and my mom's SHO.
I'd say increased noise is merely reduced acoustic damping.
Mobil 1 0w-40 is quieter than both Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5w40 and Mobil 1 10w-40 High Mileage in my LA318. Been too long since I ran anything else for comparison.
Wondering if it just foams less than some other oils, and if foamy oil serves as an "acoustical dampener"
Perhaps this is why Lucas Oil stabilizer is praised by used car salesmen, it foams the oil and the foamy oil absorbs noises to some degree.
Just a WAG, with nothing to back it up.
Wondering if it just foams less than some other oils, and if foamy oil serves as an "acoustical dampener"
Perhaps this is why Lucas Oil stabilizer is praised by used car salesmen, it foams the oil and the foamy oil absorbs noises to some degree.
Just a WAG, with nothing to back it up.
Hi,
Hethaerto - You correctly said this:
Originally Posted By: Hethaerto
Increased noise really is strange.
Mobil 1 0W40 quieted my Volvo XC70 and my mom's SHO.
I'd say increased noise is merely reduced acoustic damping.
Hethaerto - You correctly said this:
Originally Posted By: Hethaerto
Increased noise really is strange.
Mobil 1 0W40 quieted my Volvo XC70 and my mom's SHO.
I'd say increased noise is merely reduced acoustic damping.
One thing I noticed about the SN version of 0w40 is just how thin and free flowing it was. It was hard to believe it was a 40 weight oil.
Mercedes have this plastic tipped dipstick and every time I removed it, even at ambient temps,I would get oil drips.
I just removed the dipstick after 2 hrs driving in today's 100f and the Pennzoil Ultra 5w40 did not drip at all. It just clung to the dipstick.
Weird!
Mercedes have this plastic tipped dipstick and every time I removed it, even at ambient temps,I would get oil drips.
I just removed the dipstick after 2 hrs driving in today's 100f and the Pennzoil Ultra 5w40 did not drip at all. It just clung to the dipstick.
Weird!
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