Please explain Castrols strategy on additives

[double vanos]

Perusing PQIAs web test of synthetic oils I noticed that generally speaking all the SOPUS products (and others) prefer to go with high amounts of calcium and low amounts of magnesium in the add pack.

Castrol Edge w Syntec is just the other way around - lots of magnesium and roughly one third the calcium of the SOPUS offerings. Mobil 1 is the only other oil that is similar to this. I don't know what to think. Please educate me - better, worse, doesn't matter?

 

[JAG]

There's no definitive answer in the following thread, but it gives some insights. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/why-no-move-to-mg-detergents-in-api-sm-sn-oils.135266/

 

[Cooper]

Just from my own observation in the used oil analysis section, it appears that oils that are high in magnesium tend to have higher iron counts on average. But, again, this is just observation, no real proof these adds help shed more iron.

 

[Clevy]

More than one way to skin a cat.

 

[double vanos]

What if you made a frankenmix of 50/50 Castrol Syntec and Pennzoil Ultra? An oil LOADED with additives!

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: double vanos
Perusing PQIAs web test of synthetic oils I noticed that generally speaking all the SOPUS products (and others) prefer to go with high amounts of calcium and low amounts of magnesium in the add pack.

Castrol Edge w Syntec is just the other way around - lots of magnesium and roughly one third the calcium of the SOPUS offerings. Mobil 1 is the only other oil that is similar to this. I don't know what to think. Please educate me - better, worse, doesn't matter?


I believe both M1/Castrol are using an Infineum additive system which is why both look very similar. You can get good results more than one way.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: double vanos
What if you made a frankenmix of 50/50 Castrol Syntec and Pennzoil Ultra? An oil LOADED with additives!


It doesn't really work like that. Some additives can fight with others. While API does require oils to be mixable, it doesn't say anything about being able to gain benefits from both formulas and none of the drawbacks.

 

[KCJeep]

I tend to see the Magnesium add packs show up in more expensive, higher tier oils I doubt it's inferior probably just cost prohibitive.

 

[pscholte]

Here is the REAL scoop. The additive pack in Castrol is based on a personal health situation among the Elves. Castrol used to put a lot of calcium in their add pack, but as the Elves worked with it on a daily basis they started developing kidney stones. When they threatened to stop working their magic for Castrol and go to Fuchs or Liqui Moly the Castrol execs asked what it would take to keep them with the company. The Elves told them they had to change the add pack to include a large quantity of magnesium vice calcium. The change was made. Now if you are familiar with the effects of magnesium, you understand why the Elves are NOW known as a bunch of REGULAR guys

 

[Gabe]

Originally Posted By: KCJeep
I tend to see the Magnesium add packs show up in more expensive, higher tier oils I doubt it's inferior probably just cost prohibitive.


That is true. Mg has a better TBN retention curve and is more adhesive than Ca.

 

[jrustles]

What's better Calcium Sulfonate or Magnesium Sulfonate?

Originally Posted By: Gabe
Originally Posted By: KCJeep
I tend to see the Magnesium add packs show up in more expensive, higher tier oils I doubt it's inferior probably just cost prohibitive.


That is true. Mg has a better TBN retention curve and is more adhesive than Ca.


ha so

 

[Gabe]

Originally Posted By: jrustles
What's better Calcium Sulfonate or Magnesium Sulfonate?

Originally Posted By: Gabe
Originally Posted By: KCJeep
I tend to see the Magnesium add packs show up in more expensive, higher tier oils I doubt it's inferior probably just cost prohibitive.


That is true. Mg has a better TBN retention curve and is more adhesive than Ca.


ha so


A motor oil cannot have only magnesium sulfonate; it must have calcium sulfanate as well.

The reason is that Mg does not neutralize weak acids very well. So, an add pack with Mg will maintain a higher TBN for longer - extending the TBN>TAN. That is what I mean by a better TBN retention curve. Mg does a better job at reducing some corrosions than Ca. Adhesive was just my word to describe the process, and it doesn't mean that it is actually sticky.