Using Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 in the States question...

[shpankey]

I know that it is said that in the States the Ethanol in our fuel kills the TBN of this low SAPS oil from Mobil 1. The 5w30 ESP. Anyhow, where I live, there are a lot of gas stations that sell 100% gas (no ethanol). In fact, quite a few. Two that are both close to my work and another two at a nearby town that I frequent very often.

Anyhow, my questions are. Would using this %100 gas make using the Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 ok? Is the ethanol in our fuel the only reason we shouldn't use the ESP oil?

Secondly, my car is a Direct Injected Turbo so I'm constantly trying to think of ways to combat Intake Valve deposits. Would this low SAPS oil help in regard to this issue? I was under the impression from someone here that it actually would. Does anyone know for sure?

Also, even if I couldn't find a no-ethanol fuel station, I don't do over 4k miles in my intervals ever. So would that make it a moot point, or is there any other reason we shouldn't run the ESP oil? Does it do ANYTHING else other than kill the TBN quicker? TIA

 

[d00df00d]

FWIW, if I had a DI engine, I probably would try something similar: short OCIs on a good low-SAPS oil, with ethanol-free gas if it's available. I think you'll be fine.

That's just my impression from what I've been reading, of course. Hopefully someone better informed will chime in.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

High sulphur content fuel is an issue too. I would look at some fuel/oil threads in the NORIA board where this has been discussed; put on your thinkingcap and get ready for some heavy lifting though ...

 

[badnews]

Mobil 1 5W30 in the states isn't low saps oil.

Without looking it up maybe a mid saps.

Unless you have a DPF you don't want or need low or ultra low saps oil.

Low saps oil has no advantages whatsoever except keeping a DPF clean, regular saps 1.5 saps will not harm a cat .

Fact not opinion

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The OP said Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 not Mobil 1 HT06.

 

[badnews]

Your right Arco, missed that -- thanks

 

[Audi Junkie]

afaik, the TBN is better than reported through normal test methods???

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: badnews
Low saps oil has no advantages whatsoever except keeping a DPF clean, regular saps 1.5 saps will not harm a cat .

We're not talking about keeping a cat clean. We're talking about controlling intake valve deposits, for which there is some evidence that low-SAPS oils will help.

Hypothesis, not fact or opinion.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted By: shpankey

I know that it is said that in the States the Ethanol in our fuel kills the TBN of this low SAPS oil from Mobil 1. The 5w30 ESP. Anyhow, where I live, there are a lot of gas stations that sell 100% gas (no ethanol). In fact, quite a few. Two that are both close to my work and another two at a nearby town that I frequent very often.

Anyhow, my questions are. Would using this %100 gas make using the Mobil 1 ESP 5w30 ok? Is the ethanol in our fuel the only reason we shouldn't use the ESP oil?

Secondly, my car is a Direct Injected Turbo so I'm constantly trying to think of ways to combat Intake Valve deposits. Would this low SAPS oil help in regard to this issue? I was under the impression from someone here that it actually would. Does anyone know for sure?

Also, even if I couldn't find a no-ethanol fuel station, I don't do over 4k miles in my intervals ever. So would that make it a moot point, or is there any other reason we shouldn't run the ESP oil? Does it do ANYTHING else other than kill the TBN quicker? TIA



We're all just guessing but I agree with some of the opinions above. Mobil 1 ESP was designed for long OCI's with use of low sulphur/no ethanol formulations of gasoline/diesel fuel. I would think with your mentioned 4k mile OCI you would be ok.

BMW/Mercedes Benz do not recommend Low-SAPs oils for their gasoline powered cars in the US because they go 10k or more miles per OCI. Consequently BMW is stuck running an older spec (LL01) which is causing intake deposit to form on their DI gasoline engines (N54/N55).

 

[shpankey]

Does the gas in the States have low sulfur? If not, what will this do to the oil? I can get around the ethanol, as mentioned, lots of stations here carry %100 gas. But not sure on sulfur and what the effects of that will be (?).