Valvoline MaxLife 10W40 into Turbocharged SAAB 95?

[zoli]

Hi Guys,
I'm thinking on to leave the Mobil 1 0W40/5W50 oils due to the relative high oil consumption (1 quart per 1000 miles). Last year Valvoline Durablend and Shell Helix HX7 10W-40 were under testing in this 1998 SAAB 9-5 (2.0T, LPT, 210,000 miles): 1 quart per 1850 miles top-up needed.
I know that just full synthetic oil recommended into these engines (proned for sludging), but my one has updated PCV #6 system (better crankcase ventillation system) and completely sludge free; the oil pick-up tube/screen is absolutely clean.
At our climate the typical temperature range is between 14°F and 86°F.
So, any comment on this is much appreciated!
(+1: available at half price like top Mobil 1 products.)

 

[fdcg27]

Does your SAAB spec an A3 oil, or does it require a synthetic?
If it requires only an A3, Maxlife SB 10W-40 fits the bill.
I have some in my NA BMW right now, and will run at least three more changes of it out of what I have on hand.
As long as you don't try to run it as long as a full syn, I think the Maxlife would do just fine in your engine.

 

[zoli]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Does your SAAB spec an A3 oil, or does it require a synthetic?

Yes, this is the question. The manual says semi-synthetic or synthetic A3, but GM/SAAB later modified several spec's due to the sludge complaints, e.g. PCV kit #6 update, full synthetyc oil (M1 0W40 approved by SAAB), max. 6250 miles OCI.

I tried these:
- M1 0W40: 1 qt/925 miles, very smooth runing at cold, but the hot engine has a noise like rattlesnake, 11 USD/qt
- M1 5W50: 1 qt/1271 miles, excelent oil, 11 USD/qt; the previous owner filled always this (the family has a professional BMW garage in the capital)
- Total Quartz Energy 9000 5W40: 1 qt/1406 miles, 6 USD/quart (semi-synthetic); good reputation by some SAABers
- Shell HX7 10W40 & Valvoline Durablend 10W40 mix: 1 qt/1841 miles, 6 USD/qt

So my thinking: is it a good idea to run with fully syntehtic with this high mileage car? Reason not just to save money, because she is in excellent condition and I would like to reach the 300,000 miles at least.

 

[Garak]

Do you guys get something like Mobil Delvac 1 5w-40 in Hungary? If so, is it available at a reasonable price?

 

[zoli]

Yes, but not common; 20 L canister, USD 6.3 per quart.
Did you test it?

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: zoli
Yes, but not common; 20 L canister, USD 6.3 per quart.
Did you test it?


Geeze, at least you get the 20 L pail. I can't get it in that. I bought it in the box of four 4 L jugs. Your price is pretty good for it.

It is supposedly primarily PAO synthetic, and Doug Hillary uses one of the Delvac 1 series in his Porsche, if I recall correctly. I tried Delvac 1 ESP 5w-40 in my Audi, winter and summer, with good success. There was virtually no consumption, unlike 30 weights or German Castrol. Aside from the cost (I preferred the cost of conventional 15w-40 HDEO), it was probably the oil I was most pleased with in that car.

Mobil Delvac 1 ESP 5w-40:
http://imperialoil.ca/Canada-English/Files/Products_Lubes/IOCAENCVLMOMobil_Delvac_1_ESP_5W40.pdf

Mobil Delvac 1 ESP 0w-40:
http://imperialoil.ca/Canada-English/Files/Products_Lubes/IOCAENCVLMOMobil_Delvac_1_ESP_0W40.pdf

You're quite literate in specifications, so I'll let you take a look at the product data sheets. The 5w-40 appears to be slightly lighter at operating temperatures, but obviously thicker cooler. It has a substantially higher TBN and flash point and meets more specifications.

 

[fdcg27]

If I could get Delvac 1 5W-40 for about the same price as Maxlife SB, I'd would certainly give it a try.

 

[zoli]

Thx, Guys! Yes, the logic for me behind the heavy duty oil is the turbo.

The oil has burned smell and summer time the catalysator heating the sump (espically in city traffic) - not a good construction by SAAB, but later AERO models are better designed already.

My worry is the catalysator: diesel oils are richer in additivies could be harmful in case of remarkable oil consumption I have.

 

[Quattro Pete]

You could also try Shell Helix HX8 5w-40.

 

[zoli]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Do you guys get something like Mobil Delvac 1 5w-40 in Hungary? If so, is it available at a reasonable price?

What do you think about Castrol Edge Turbo Diesel 5W-40? It has ACEA A3 approval.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: zoli
What do you think about Castrol Edge Turbo Diesel 5W-40? It has ACEA A3 approval.


I think that's pretty good, too. As for your cat, I don't think that either the Castrol Turbo Diesel or the Mobil Delvac 1 hold an advantage. Both will have significant amounts of phosphorus, at least compared to an SM/GF-4 or higher PCMO.

Personally, I don't think high consumption is very good for catalytic converters in any case, regardless of phosphorus content. If one of these two dual rated HDEOs can reign in your consumption, then it's less of an issue. I don't know much about that Castrol product; I haven't seen it here. I do know, however, that the Delvac 1 cut my consumption. With a 30 weight oil, I'd use at least a litre and a half in top up over about 4,000 km, give or take. With the 40 weights I tried, the consumption dropped to next to nothing, and the Delvac 1 ESP 5w-40 required no top ups over the OCI.

The 40 weights I tried in it were Delvac 1 ESP 5w-40, Delvac Super 1300 15w-40, and RP 0w-40. All were pretty good on the consumption side of things compared to the 30 weights. The best 30 weight I had for consumption happened to be PYB.

 

[artificialist]

I would never run less than full synthetic in a turbo gasoline engine. I worked at Tires Plus using their Kendall Semi Syn, and every turbo gasoline engine would be heavily varnished even if the oil was changed every 3,000 miles.

Use full syn only.

 

[yannis]

Oils in Europe are better , ACEA A3, especially of 2004 and afterwards ( aka ACEA A3-04) can handle 3.000 miles in a turbo easily.

 

[zoli]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
I would never run less than full synthetic in a turbo gasoline engine. I worked at Tires Plus using their Kendall Semi Syn, and every turbo gasoline engine would be heavily varnished even if the oil was changed every 3,000 miles.

Use full syn only.


This is my thinking also. High quality synthetic oil is my 'quality' feeling, of course! Summer time Mobil 1 5W50 and top-up with Castrol Edge Sport 10W60 could be the solution, however it's quite expensive solution, but OCI will be 10,000 km (6250 miles). Winter time Mobil Super 3000 5W-40 could be enough. All 3 oils are fully synthetic ones.

Originally Posted By: yannis
Oils in Europe are better , ACEA A3, especially of 2004 and afterwards ( aka ACEA A3-04) can handle 3.000
miles in a turbo easily.


Yes, good experience with 10W-40 HC oils, lower oil consumption, but shorter OCI makes it 'expensive' choice.

Thx Guys!

 

[MI_Roger]

Stick with full synthetic only. I have 313,800 miles (more than 500,000km) on the 2.3 liter low pressure turbo engine in my 2000 Saab 9-5 using only synthetic oils, and 5,000 mile oil change intervals.

For the past 150,000 miles or so I have used Total Quartz Energy 9000 in the 5W/40 weight.

 

[zoli]

Originally Posted By: MI_Roger
...For the past 150,000 miles or so I have used Total Quartz Energy 9000 in the 5W/40 weight.

Hi Roger from Ypsilanti!!!

I'm still very garetful for you due to the great help in my first SAAB DIY project!

Good to know your oil recommendation; I am happy with this, because it has quite good price here (6 USD per quart).
BTW:
- what's your OCI
- oil consumption / top-up needed?
- sludge in the sump (did you clean it in the last 150,000 miles?)
I'm a little bit confused, because the datasheet of French producer grade it as 'synthetic technology'; my undertsanding it could be 'Group II+/III'.
Some good discussions are here.
But 150,000 miles sounds very good!

 

[zoli]

Interesting comparison on TQE9000 5W40 by Lubrizol: Porsche approval has a huge advantage against piston deposits.

 

[MI_Roger]

[/quote]
BTW:
- what's your OCI
- oil consumption / top-up needed?
- sludge in the sump (did you clean it in the last 150,000 miles?)
I'm a little bit confused, because the datasheet of French producer grade it as 'synthetic technology'; my undertsanding it could be 'Group II+/III'.
[/quote]

I continue to follow my practice of 5,000 mile Oil Change Intervals.

I see some oil usage between oil changes, typically less than one quart is consumed. I would prefer to see no usage but after nearly 314,000 miles I shouldn't complain.

I have not dropped the sump to look for deposits or sludge. Maybe this is really bad of me, but again, at this high mileage if there has been no problem I probably will not have an issue.

I don't know of anyone who has a good definition of what "Synthetic Technology" means. Most likely the oil is a Group III base stock.

$6 USD/quart is less than I pay. I wish I could buy this oil so cheaply, the four bottles in my garage cost me $8 USD per quart last week.

 

[OpelFever]

I personally would only use a synthetic oil that meets some impressive specs like MB 229.5. Mobil 1 0w-40 and Shell helix ultra 5w-40 come to mind, lots of others too.

I would recommend an engine flush and piston soak as they are about the only things that have helped with consumption-issues short of rebuilding the engine. A Saab-enthusiast was able to reduce consumption from 1L/1000km to 0,5L/10000km using this method.

 

[zoli]

Originally Posted By: OpelFever
...I would recommend an engine flush and piston soak ...

Thx for these! Do you have any detailed proposal (e.g. what engine flush, how do I soak the piston without removing the cylinder head - I mean through the spark plug holes))?