Recommendations for 20W-50 motor oil

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Apr 30, 2017
Messages
140
Location
Michigan
I was told that the best weight oil for an old Mercedes engine 2.2L in-line 6 would be "a good 20w-50 conventional motor oil." Any recommendations? Thanks
 
15W40 will be much easier to find. Stores around here don't have 20W50 on the shelves anymore and we probably have a similar climate as I live in Toronto.

Rotella 15W40 actually goes on sale from time to time as well.
 
Castrol GTX 20/50 puts up some surprisingly good used oil analysis as well. IIRC, one member ran it for 3000 in a 300ZX and the used oil analysis looked almost like a VOA.

Far as old German engines go, a lot of them do call for 20w50. Might be on the right track.
 
Wally around here sells conventional 20w-50 in variety of brand from Castrol, Supertech, etc.

Supertech 20w-50 is less than $13 for 5 quarts bottle in DFW TX.
 
Last edited:
I think I see Castrol, Pennzoil, Quaker Stare, and Valvoline 20w50 in my area. Walmart supertech also comes in 20w50.

Motorcycle shops also sells a good selection of 20w59 for air cooled bikes. But they tend to be much more expensive
 
How about Castrol 5w50.

F79B2FD6-6A33-4149-89C2-CC5583CE225C.webp
 
I used to run Castrol GTX 20W50 in many hard OVER worked engines, and they all did well on it, from my 440 Dodge powered Class A RV, big and small block GM motors, everything with some age on it. I don't know what MB originally recommended for your (gas?) 2.2, but if it's getting old & has trouble with hot idle oil pressure, I'm sure GTX would do the job.
 
Thanks for the recommendations so far. Based on the number of Castrol recommendations I called their Tech phone number. The person I talked to said they would only recommend their 5w-50 as it was the only one of their oils with enough zddp for flat tappets. But it's synthetic. So far it looks like Valvoline VR1 conventional 20w-50 or go to a diesel oil conventional 15w40. I know some people say not to put diesel oil in a gasoline engine and others swear by it. Since I don't have cats I don't need to worry about the higher zddp. I understand that diesel motor oil has more detergents than gasoline motor oil, but how can that be bad?
 
What vehicle is this in? I thought the only old 2.2 Mercedes made was a 4 cylinder in either gas or diesel. Even my old 76 Benz with the 5 cylinder diesel, owners suggest Euro 5w30 for cold weather and 15w40 at the heaviest for summer.
 
20W50 is stout oil as it starts with a 20W base oil + even conventional needs few viscosity improvers, BUT it will prolly NOT start in the cold, especially conventional!! i would give Mobil I 15-50 a go for colder weather being thinner at cold temps + since its synthetic but only group III it forms little wax when cold. RedLine real synthetic 15-50 would be a top choice if you feel the $$$$$ is worth it, prolly one of the best oil blender these days!!
 
The 2.2L in-line 6 w/carb is in a 220S. It never gets driven in the winter. It is in a heated garage so I don't have to worry about that. the MB mechanic was adamant about conventional only for all of the fluids in the car.
 
Originally Posted by Building3
The 2.2L in-line 6 w/carb is in a 220S. It never gets driven in the winter. It is in a heated garage so I don't have to worry about that. the MB mechanic was adamant about conventional only for all of the fluids in the car.
I'm going to assume if you put a modern synthetic in there it will spring a bunch of leaks so that is good advice. You should probably just run bulk 15w40 conventional perhaps with additives if you need it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom