PEAK syn vs. NAPA syn: a 'thin' 5w-30 vs. 'thick'?

[Bottom_Feeder]

My Subaru was due for an oil change last weekend. I drained out the PEAK synthetic I had been using through the winter thus far and have been completely happy with. It always sounded quiet and, uh... 'lubricated' even on the colder days, and sound/felt just as good when it warmed up. I'm impressed and plan on buying more when I can get a deal on it.

So in went NAPA synthetic in 5w30, an oil I've used before and have been happy with. But now on a 20 degree morning, my car sounds very noisy and 'non-lubricated'. Even when it warms up fully, it still doesn't sound like it did with the PEAK syn in the sump.

I'm basically having the 'reverse placebo effect' thinking my engine sounds/feels somewhat worse after an oil change, like I put 10w-40 in it or something. I'm contemplating dumping the NAPA in exchange for some Castrol Edge I have, an oil I've heard that runs on the thin side to see if it changes the cold startup noise. The oil filters were both PureONEs.

Has anyone seen any data that suggests that PEAK syn is on the thinner side of a 5w30? Or that NAPA syn is on the thicker side?

 

[ottotheclown]

Check the voa of Peak,

kinda lame IMHO>

 

[KCJeep]

Not sure on the full syn, but most Peak oils are loaded with boron. It's been my experience oils high in boron tend to run quietly. Unlike moly or ZDDP however, boron can deteriorate over the course of an OCI so it's better suited to moderate drain intervals. That's why it's more commonly found in quantity in lower tier oils (QSGB, Peak, STP). Boron works very, very well but it is less expensive and won't last as long.

You can't use engine noise to gauge actual protection, (Mobil 1 is a prime example) but I will always go for the quieter oil also.

I don't think you are noticing differences in thickness as much as you are variations in add packs. Different packs will produce different results in different engines, thus the non-stop search for the holy grail of oils on here, no one oil is the perfect match for all vehicles.

If you're vehicle seemed to like the Peak, you'll probably like Quaker State or other high boron oils as well.

JMO.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Thanks.

My car usually likes SynPower, another oil with a reputation for being quiet, and NAPA syn is just the diet version of that. I don't remember it sounding like this in cold weather but maybe I never had NAPA in it during the last winter or two.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: ottotheclown
Check the voa of Peak,

kinda lame IMHO>

Maybe so, but it's Dexos approved so it's certainly as good as it needs to be for my use.

 

[Brule]

PQIA's VOA of conventional Peak 5w30

If Peak is using similar add packs in its synthetic, then KCJeep is onto something. TropArtic has even more boron and it is a very quiet oil in my Civic.

 

[shell_user]

I thought that Kendall Semi SYn/Syn, and another oil out there had more boron. Might be wrong. I do believe the Motorcraft oils are loaded with boron.

 

[KCJeep]

Didn't realize Trop Artic had boron but I looked it up, sure enough you're right I'll add that one to my list of boron heavy oils.

Anything over 200 ppm boron is a lot. Peak, STP, QSGB and now I see Trop Artic all make the grade. I'll have to look into MC and Kendall, I may have missed those.

 

[shell_user]

If I read correctly, does the M1 0w40 not have a ton or lot of Boron also, and what bout other M1 grades? KCJEEP, please shoot me a pm.

thank you

adam

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Lots of boron would also explain why my Subaru 'liked' the G-Oil I ran in it last year. Interesting.

Looks like you can add Motorcraft semi-syn and Wolf's Head to your list also.