Opinions Please

[PW01]

I have been a satisfied Mobil 1 person for quiet some time (never cared about the base stock war), and have run it in my Ford Ranger with what I have assumed to be good results. I read a used oil analysis ( Mobil 1 5w30) about excessive iron numbers in the same engine I have (4.0 SOHC V6). Again, no known problems in my application - but it got me thinking MAYBE I should give something else a try. I was thinking about the following oils - Pennzoil Platinum 5w30, German Castrol 0w-30, Mobil 1 0w-40 (some have claimed it has helped with the timing chain rattle), or the Amsoil group III (XL?) in 5w30. I've chosen these products because they are readily available, and SHOULD be good for 7500 mile OCI's. Thanks

 

[Tempest]

Pennzoil Platinum 5w30

 

[PW01]

Hey Tempest, nice to run into you outside of RPS! What is the reasoning behind your choice?

 

[MGregoir]

Platinum is a relatively inexpensive and solid performing oil especially when compared to Mobil 1 for up to 7500 mile intervals.

 

[Turk]

Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 or Amsoil ASL.

 

[kd5byb]

I'd bet either PP or the XL will give you good results. I'd stick with the mfg recommended viscosity, but that's just me.

My '95 Ranger 4.0L went 120k miles on M1 with no problems and ran like new... Pretty sure these are two different 4.0L engines - believe mine was push-rod not SOHC...

later,
b

 

[dkryan]

If you've run Mobil 1 with good results and no known problems, don't let someone else's used oil analysis run you off. For $60, you can get a used oil analysis and a very thorough interpretation from Terry Dyson which will let you know how Mobil 1 is performing in YOUR engine.

Don't want to spend that kind of cash? Spring for a used oil analysis through Blackstone at about half the price, though without the professional interpretation and advice. While one single used oil analysis may not provide a trend, it will give you a snapshot as to your engine at that particular time/mileage.

Pennzoil Platinum is good stuff if you resist the used oil analysis and changing brands will make you feel better.

 

[NHHEMI]

Of the choices you listed PP or Amsoil

 

[Cory]

I'm having very good luck with Pennzoil Platinum 5w30 with OCIs up to 12K.

As compared to Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 with 3 used oil analysis and 2 Pennzoil Platinum used oil analysis, the results were nearly identical. Mobil was at 10 ppm of iron on a 12K OCI.

The cost factor has me using the PP from a clearly economical standpoint.

 

[Tempest]

Originally Posted By: PW01
Hey Tempest, nice to run into you outside of RPS! What is the reasoning behind your choice?


Yep, good to see you over here as well. The used oil analysis are great, and Terry Dyson recommended the oil prior to his leaving Bitog. Fairly cheap at $4 a quart at Walmart as well. Seems to hold up well to longish OCIs as well, and holds its viscosity.

My 4.0 OHV has a slight coolant leak into the oil and wear was still fairly low at 5K with the 5W30 and ARX maint dose + Amsoil Eao. I'm currently running the 10W30 version with no problems in my warm climate.

Unless you want to run extra long OCIs with Amsoil, PP is the way to go.