Quick update on using GC 0w-30 in an Audi 3.2 FSI

[CivicFan]

I switched to GC 0w30 some 500 miles ago for my Audi 3.2 FSI direct injection engine (from Mobil1 0w-40). The car seems peppier, the engine is a little noisier (these are very noisy engines) and the fuel economy has improved. I don't have long term data yet since measuring it in a variable winter weather over such a short time is not reliable but so far the anecdotal evidence shows an increase in MPG from 21 to around 23.

Will keep all posted with the long-term results.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Are you planning to do a UOA at some point?

 

[CivicFan]

Probably at next oil change after 10k miles. I want to see the fuel dilution issue associated with these engines with my own eyes.

 

[raaizin]

I have a 2007 A6 and am using Mobil1 0-40. I have been doing 5k OCI. I bought it with 6kmiles and have 19k after 2 1/2 years. I know color isnt supposed to be an indication but my oil turns black in only a couple of hundred miles. I would like to see the UOA if you ever should do it.

 

[shpankey]

I always though that just meant your oil is doing a good job of cleaning (?).

Super interested in your results as I have a DI engine as well. Using PP now but have 2 changes of GC and soon 2 changes of M1's 0w-40 and am trying to decide what to put in next. I'd love to see a UOA of GC on a DI engine!

 

[zoomzoom]

Originally Posted By: CivicFan
I switched to GC 0w30 some 500 miles ago for my Audi 3.2 FSI direct injection engine (from Mobil1 0w-40). The car seems peppier, the engine is a little noisier (these are very noisy engines) and the fuel economy has improved. I don't have long term data yet since measuring it in a variable winter weather over such a short time is not reliable but so far the anecdotal evidence shows an increase in MPG from 21 to around 23.

Will keep all posted with the long-term results.


If I were you I would be much more worried about carbon deposits on IM and valves..

 

[saaber1]

Originally Posted By: shpankey
I'd love to see a UOA of GC on a DI engine!


There are tons of them for the VW 2.0 FSI. Also Dyson says M10w40 is only good to about 1000-1500 miles in a DI engine.

 

[CivicFan]

Originally Posted By: zoomzoom
Originally Posted By: CivicFan
I switched to GC 0w30 some 500 miles ago for my Audi 3.2 FSI direct injection engine (from Mobil1 0w-40). The car seems peppier, the engine is a little noisier (these are very noisy engines) and the fuel economy has improved. I don't have long term data yet since measuring it in a variable winter weather over such a short time is not reliable but so far the anecdotal evidence shows an increase in MPG from 21 to around 23.

Will keep all posted with the long-term results.


If I were you I would be much more worried about carbon deposits on IM and valves..


Worrying about it won't make it disappear or decelerate the deposit accumulation. I'm fully aware of the potential issue and when time comes, I'll pull the intake manifold and clean it.

 

[shpankey]

Originally Posted By: saaber1
Originally Posted By: shpankey
I'd love to see a UOA of GC on a DI engine!


There are tons of them for the VW 2.0 FSI. Also Dyson says M10w40 is only good to about 1000-1500 miles in a DI engine.
wow, really? how long is GC good for?

also, can you link me to the UOA's. thanks!

p.s. what's the oil everyone is settling on for DI engines? I see quite a few PP's and lately a lot of Rotella's that are doing extremely well.

 

[saaber1]

I wouldn't run GC past 5k on the 2.0FSI unless you are running 95% highway. Don't have time to find all the UOAs but here are some. You can look/search my previous posts to find many more as I probably commented on most for that engine.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post1747338

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post1745775

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post1396680

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...rue#Post1709310

Here is a recent 2.0 FSI UOA w/ discussion:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/mobil1-tdt-5w-40-5994-mi-06-audi-a4-2-0t-fsi.120750/

A few direct injection valve problem threads and related:

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/bmw-135i-oil-issue.113699/

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...445#Post1660445

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...263#Post1414263

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/bmw-135i-oil-issue.113699/

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/bmw-135i-oil-issue.113699/

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/fsi-engines-audi-rs4-engine-oil-related-deposits.99293/

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...469#Post1171469

 

[shpankey]

saaber1, which oil do you recommend for DI turbo engines? I was wondering about RLI specifically.

 

[Audi Junkie]

I would run 15w40 HD at 3k as long as outside temps allowed.

 

[saaber1]

Well we have to take a closer look at the Brad Penn. We have only one UOA on it so far (was on the 10w30) for the 2.0 FSI but it showed the lowest shear by far. Flashpoint retention and metals were excellent as well. Need more UOAs on this oil...

The ester-containing Redline and Biosyn have showed well in that engine (one of the biosyn users had an engine problem IMO so we need more data to get a good feel for how well Biosyn is doing). I would expect Motul 300V to give similar performance but strictly a guess as we have no UOAs for that yet.

Then the Diesel oils would be a consideration. I would like to see how Amsoil DEO does. We have a M1 TDT 5w40 but it was 95% highway so impossible to tell anything (as I recall it still sheared around 25% even with the nearly all highway miles). The usual Diesel oils such as Rotella synthetic and others would be worth looking at.

I would say all of the above would do better than typical 502 oils. If I had to run a 502 oil, I would look at Motul X-lite 0W30 (we need a UOA on this) or GC. Some of the mid range Motuls have shown pretty well relative to other 502 oils. These are all impressions off the top of my head from what I can remember of the data.

 

[CivicFan]

What's the word on the 3.2 FSI V6 engine?

 

[shpankey]

Thanks man. I have a stash of 2 OC's of GC so I'll use it up then probably go to the Rotella per your recommendation. I'm choosing it from all your options just for price and availability. $19 at WM. I currently have PP 5w30 in it and am at 2,700 miles. Should I just change it out now? I'm worried about the fuel dilution being so bad. These are very hard driven miles btw. I run about 3 full pulls everyday from 1st to 5th ... HARD. A few mis-shifts on it as well. Oh yeah, its a Mazdaspeed 3 with a 2.3 DISI turbo. I've modded it quite a bit too...

HPFP internals
COBB SRI & TIP
Turbosmart BPV (recirc)
CU Test (Race) Pipe [deletes 2nd cat].
Denso Iridium 1 step colder plugs (.30 gap)

 

[saaber1]

Well Mazdaspeed is not the same engine as FSI so I would search for UOAs on ur engine because the 5k mile "rule of thumb" for the 2.0 FSI may not apply to ur engine. A guy could dig up some UOAs on that engine and then do ur own UOA to compare if you want. Sorry I haven't studied the UOAs for the Mazda. Fun car!

 

[saaber1]

Originally Posted By: CivicFan
What's the word on the 3.2 FSI V6 engine?


I would look for Rl_RS4 's posts on audi forums such as fortitude. If you pm him on one of those forums or BITOG he may be able to tell you more specifics about the 3.2 V6. Make sure to ask him about more oils than just Renewable Lubricants Biosyn.

I would guess that many of the same issues (primarily fuel dilution and valve deposits from the PCV) apply similarly to the 2.0 FSI and the 3.2 FSI V6. But I haven't studied the 3.2 V6 UOAs or the engine.

 

[Ibrahim]

Your engine beats the living [censored] out of the engine oil, and given that there are not many UOA's for your engine, I would buy the specific oil for this engine directly from the Audi dealer...

having said that, I suggest that you run each of these oils (at least 2 times) compare the data and you should be able to see how each oil performs

M1 ESP 5w30
M1 0W-40
GC 0W-30
Red Line 0W/5W-40

You may wanna research these oils too
M1 Delvac 5W-40
M1 Delvac ESP 0W/5W-40
M1 TDT 5W-40
Shell Rotella T 5W-40

 

[shpankey]

I'd throw Pennzoil Ultra in that mix as well.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: shpankey
I'd throw Pennzoil Ultra in that mix as well.

With an HT/HS of only 3.1, I wouldn't. Ultra may be good for US and Asian engines, but it hasn't been formulated with the needs of German engines in mind. Ultra's focus is on fuel economy, and that in itself prevents it from meeting any of the Euro mfg specifications. Same goes for Castrol Edge.

If you want to try Pennzoil in an Audi, Pennzoil Platinum 5w-40 Euro Formula would be the one to use, alas, this product seems to be next to impossible to find anywhere but on paper.