Changed the oil before the winter hibernation. Installed an OEM Wahler low-temp thermostat about a third of the way into the OCI and flushed the cooling system. I've been keeping an eye on the oil temps and they stay more controlled, especially in low-speed stop and go traffic situations. Definitely happy with the change, should have done it earlier. Trying M1 FS 0W-40 this time around, now that I'm more comfortable running lower(relatively) HTHS.
Quaker State Euro 5W-40 | 3200mi | 2005 Porsche Boxster 2.7
- Thread starter ARH_0700
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Looks good. Between the IMS and other concerns I went the other way on viscosity, Redline 10w-60, on both our 9x6 cars, but can't argue w/ your results. Nice car.
With such short runs and the constant introduction of different additive packages I wouldn't even bother with UOA's.
Yes their certs are delineated by grade but C30 (30 grade) has a min hths of 3.5.
ACEA Cx - C20, C30, C40
ACEA A3 - A40
IIRC, the IMS bearing is sealed and isolated from the oil circuit, so oil weight should have no bearing (pun indented) on IMS longevity. There are kits to remedy the IMS issue by integrating it into the engine oil circuit, but the cases must be split to install it and it's uber $$. IMO, the IMS "issue" is real but vastly overestimated (in terms of frequency of occurrence). Bore scoring on the other hand...(I have an '06 Cayman S with the third generation IMS, 95K miles and no issues). I run Mobil 1 FS 5w50 FWIW.
I have the IMS upgrade which is an open ceramic ball bearing splash lubricated by engine oil. You are correct that the OE bearings are sealed, and one of the solutions for the later cars (w/ non easily replaceable IMS) is to simply remove the seal allowing engine oil to reach the bearing.
Yeah, the IMS issue is overrated, but I have seen a few at the local Porsche indy's. We replaced both of ours at ~50k mi for peace of mind and I have two fine OE IMS's on the shelf... I consider the open ceramic bearing upgrade to be a lifetime fix given our usage.
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edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
This engine requires Porsche A40, which only comes in XW40 grade and some XW50.
Does Porsche A40 cover 50 grade? If it does I learned something new.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Yes. MB229.3 also covers XW50.Does Porsche A40 cover 50 grade? If it does I learned something new.
Thought A40 just covered 40 grade. Thanks
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
It is not that stringent on grade.Thought A40 just covered 40 grade. Thanks
Castrol Edge 0W30 had Porsche A40 some 15 years ago. The reason for the exception was that at that time, Castrol (actually Syntec back then) had HTHS of almost 3.7cP as it was above 75% PAO based and it passed all their tests.
Unless I'm missing something the only non-40 weight that is Porsche A40 approved is Mobil 1 FS X2 5w50:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10232393-0001.pdf
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10232393-0001.pdf
I meant to say I now use Redline 10w-50...apologies. If I only had a brain. The 10w-60 is for our air cooler.
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This posting is almost "eerie" for me 
as we have the same car and I was thinking about buying QS next year as I had M1 0W40 last year, Castrol 5W 40 this year.....AND potentially Rotella T6 (but you ran DelVac which is also good)
as we have the same car and I was thinking about buying QS next year as I had M1 0W40 last year, Castrol 5W 40 this year.....AND potentially Rotella T6 (but you ran DelVac which is also good)
Mostly interested in the metal wear (due to the infamous IMS and/or bore scoring). Added some LiquiMoly MoS2 hence the "higher" Moly content than usual / VoA...not sure why magenium is through the roof though (MoS2???)
LN engineering now saying the replacement bearing is not permanent but needs to be replaced at a certain interval. Didn't they originally say it was a permanent fix.
Hi. IIRC, there was a shorter interval replacement requirement when we did the first car. Now I believe it is 6yrs/75k miles for our dual row versions which I believe are conservative. That said, I understand why a manufacturer would specify a conservative replacement interval, and the reasons are not just for replacement sales.
Given that the original sealed bearings were considered 'lifetime', the upgraded bearings are very high quality, open to the engine oil and given our usage of low miles, careful warm up and regular changes of high quality oil and filter examinations, I will go well beyond the specified interval. How well beyond is TBD, but I am not in any rush to change them on either car.
