Synth or thick mineral?

[brinu]

Hi..i own a stock 1992 bmw 318i with 312k miles and about a couple of years ago, oil consumption went up..since then i went up in viscosity with good results in oil pressure and reduced oil consumption...currently im using the thickest 20w60 fully synthetic i can find but lately i discovered that an even thicker oil exists(25w70 penrite)..unfortunatley this 25w70 is mineral and since i swear with synthetics,im a bit 'frightened' to use mineral..whats your sincere opinion about this guys?should i remain 20w60 synthetic or go thicker 25w70 mineral?will the thicker mineral improve further over the synthetic or will i be worse?TKS

 

[97prizm]

I'd use a high mileage oil due to oil consumption. I wouldn't keep going thicker. 20w70 seems way out there for your application. What is supposed application to use that viscosity?

 

[Rand]

Sounds like it needs some work.
I'd continue with 20w50 syn or your current oil if its working for you.

You don't provide many specifics. so answers will by necessity be generic.

 

[JavierH19]

Mineral degrades faster. That mineral is fine if changed frequently though.

 

[fantastic]

I'd say go for it but you might want to include your climate for better understanding. I'd not worry about the mineral at all. I'm assuming you're adding plenty of oil throughout your interval anyways.

 

[Brian123]

Hi..i own a stock 1992 bmw 318i with 312k miles and about a couple of years ago, oil consumption went up..since then i went up in viscosity with good results in oil pressure and reduced oil consumption...currently im using the thickest 20w60 fully synthetic i can find but lately i discovered that an even thicker oil exists(25w70 penrite)..unfortunatley this 25w70 is mineral and since i swear with synthetics,im a bit 'frightened' to use mineral..whats your sincere opinion about this guys?should i remain 20w60 synthetic or go thicker 25w70 mineral?will the thicker mineral improve further over the synthetic or will i be worse?TKS

A few questions:
1) What oil's have you been using
2) What are your OCI's
3) Are you the original owner
4) If not the original owner, when did you purchase the vehicle
5) Do you use Top Tier Gasoline

If you are having good results with 20W-60 stick with it until the results are not good.

 

[tblt44]

Some might suggest valvoline restore and protect. I have no experience with it

 

[Brian123]

Some might suggest valvoline restore and protect. I have no experience with it

You will get a lot of suggestions on this Board!

 

[SR5]

What 20W60 are you referring to?
The only two I know are Penrite HPR30 20W60, and it's a mineral oil. Or Penrite 10-Tenths Racing 20W60 which is synthetic (PAO & ester based).

The thicker one is probably Penrite HPR40 25W70 and it's a mineral oil.

I have no problem with using mineral oil if you change it at reasonable intervals, say every 10,000 km.

Do you live in Australia or a similar warm climate?
A 25Wx oil is good down to -10C in terms of cold starting, below that you shouldn't use it.

 

[brinu]

I'd say go for it but you might want to include your climate for better understanding. I'd not worry about the mineral at all. I'm assuming you're adding plenty of oil throughout your interval anyways.

Here temp rarely dips below 15c in winter

 

[brinu]

here in malta it rarely goes below 15c in winter..lately ive been using castrol edge 10w60 and motul 20w60 which helped a lot in reducing oil consumption..yes the hpr40 25w70 is the one im considering but im uncertain if i should use it because it isnt synth

 

[brinu]

Some might suggest valvoline restore and protect. I have no experience with it

But thats way too thin at 5w30

 

[SR5]

here in malta it rarely goes below 15c in winter..lately ive been using castrol edge 10w60 and motul 20w60 which helped a lot in reducing oil consumption..yes the hpr40 25w70 is the one im considering but im uncertain if i should use it because it isnt synth

To me both of those synthetics (Castrol & Motul) are better oils than the Penrite HPR40 mineral. But the mineral isn't going to cause any damage. Most cars from the 90's would have spent most of their life on mineral oils.

 

[brinu]

To me both of those synthetics (Castrol & Motul) are better oils than the Penrite HPR40 mineral. But the mineral isn't going to cause any damage. Most cars from the 90's would have spent most of their life on mineral oils.

So do you think i will have an increase in oil consumption if i go to the ticker hp40penrite mineral instead of the motul&castrol synthetics?

 

[fantastic]

here in malta it rarely goes below 15c in winter..lately ive been using castrol edge 10w60 and motul 20w60 which helped a lot in reducing oil consumption..yes the hpr40 25w70 is the one im considering but im uncertain if i should use it because it isnt synth

You're good to go then. Synthetic isn't necessary in your case.

 

[Brian123]

You're good to go then. Synthetic isn't necessary in your case.

Images
Videos
Here are the average temperatures in Fahrenheit for Malta by month:

• January: High 61°F, Low 50°F
• February: High 61°F, Low 50°F
• March: High 64°F, Low 52°F
• April: High 68°F, Low 55°F
• May: High 75°F, Low 61°F
• June: High 82°F, Low 68°F
• July: High 86°F, Low 73°F
• August: High 86°F, Low 73°F
• September: High 81°F, Low 70°F
• October: High 75°F, Low 64°F
• November: High 68°F, Low 57°F
• December: High 63°F, Low 53°F
  These temperatures reflect the typical climate conditions in Malta throughout the year.
  https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=01c6...2UtV2VhdGhlci1pbi1NYWx0YS1ZZWFyLVJvdW5k&ntb=1
  The OP lives in Malta, Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 would be perfect, the only way I would run 20W-60 is if the outside temps were 125F or Higher!

 

[fantastic]

The OP lives in Malta, Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 would be perfect, the only way I would run 20W-60 is if the outside temps were 125F or Higher!

Probably still too much consumption, Can OP even get Valvoline Restore and Protect? It certainly won't be thick enough for the wear on that engine.

 

[CleanSump]

I would ask why the engine is consuming oil. Is it worn out, stuck rings, valve guides? If it is mechanical failure and no repair is intended, just keep feeding it until it won't run.

 

[Brian123]

Probably still too much consumption, Can OP even get Valvoline Restore and Protect? It certainly won't be thick enough for the wear on that engine.

I think the OP was using an oil that could not handle either his driving conditions or his extended OCI's. He also could have been using an oil that is not up 2 certain members standards. My point is that we get threads started here about certain issues, yet we do not hear about what oil was being used and other things.

Fantastic, can you imagine if these oils were used from day 1 at reasonable OCI's:
1) Mobil 1 ESP
2) AMSOIL Signature Series, Pablo can thank me later

I do not know if Valvoline Restore and Protect is even sold in Malta.

 

[fantastic]

I think the OP was using an oil that could not handle either his driving conditions or his extended OCI's. He also could have been using an oil that is not up 2 certain members standards. My point is that we get threads started here about certain issues, yet we do not hear about what oil was being used and other things.

It's okay, we don't know what was used but the issue is present & needs to be maintained accordingly. I commend OP for coming to the right place to ask these questions for a possible solution.

Fantastic, can you imagine if these oils were used from day 1 at reasonable OCI's:
1) Mobil 1 ESP
2) AMSOIL Signature Series, Pablo can thank me later

I do not know if Valvoline Restore and Protect is even sold in Malta.

312,000 Kilometers isn't something I'd complain about. Especially, if that's all small town or small country travel. Those Mercedes were rugged if things were kept up. But to your point it's always peace of mind to start with a solid oil but I just don't know what's available over there or if OP didn't do that to begin with.