Why is my engine smoother with dino?

[DD]

I had a curious observation just happen...

For quite a while now, I've been running synthetic in my 2000 Audi A4 Avant 1.8T. My most recent oil has been Mobil One 0W-40.

Recently, I started an Auto-Rx cycle, not because I had any known problems, but really just for peace of mind on the sludge-prone VAG 1.8T. I started the 'clean' cycle on the M1 0W-40 that was then in my engine.

Last week I passed the mileage marker between the 'clean' phase, which meant it was time this weekend to drain the oil and put in some dino oil for the 1500 miles of the 'rinse' phase.

So I went to Jiffy Lube, brought along my Audi OEM 'big' filter (why JL never has this, I don't know), and had them put in some Pennzoil 10w30. I wasn't too picky about the oil, as I knew it would only be in for 1500 miles.

So, here is the weird part:

With the crappy, bulk Pennzoil 10w30 from Jiffy Lube, the engine seems to run smoother. It doesn't have more power or seem any quicker, but it does seem to have noticeably reduced vibration and noise. I especially noticed this with city driving.

Any theories that would help explain this?

It almost tempts me to 'go dino', except for the fact that dino oil is contraindicated for my particular engine.

Thanks,

DD

 

[pmwalter]

I noticed the same thing with my Camry. I switched to 10w30 Chevron and the car just felt smoother and more quiet. I put 5w30 Chevron back in and it's loud again. I think some cars just respond better to different oils. That's where experimenting comes in.

 

[Ramblin Fever]

Noticed the same thing with the GC 0w30 versus the Havoline 10w30.

On the GC it acted like it had vibration and somewhat reactions of like it being too slippery - if that makes any sense.

 

[mechtech]

That "crappy bulk Pennzoil" may be better than the bottled stuff.

 

[sands]

Went from dino in my wife's Isuzu to M1...Contrary to what I expected the engine felt less smooth and sounded louder with the synthetic. However, the M1 seemed to get smoother as I put more miles on the oil but never as smooth as the dino.

Just went back to dino (Delo 400) and it feels smooth again...

 

[Schism]

Despite is being smoother I wouldn't use dino longterm in that engine. Try a differen't viscosity, like 10w40-5w40. If you already have, and it's more or less the same... *shrugs* less friction can lead to more vibration I suppose. However it is usually the opossite, guess it depends on the car. But really, that being a turboed motor, and if the engine oil is circulated through the turbo, there is no way I would use dino even if there was less vibration.

 

[DD]

quote:

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Originally posted by Schism:
Despite is being smoother I wouldn't use dino longterm in that engine. Try a differen't viscosity, like 10w40-5w40. If you already have, and it's more or less the same... *shrugs* less friction can lead to more vibration I suppose. However it is usually the opossite, guess it depends on the car. But really, that being a turboed motor, and if the engine oil is circulated through the turbo, there is no way I would use dino even if there was less vibration.

---

Well, yes. As I said, dino is contraindicated for this car. I'm only using dino for Auto-Rx purposes.

However, I'd like to find a synth that is as smooth as a dino.

Which begs the question...why *does* the dino feel smoother?

DD

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Quote:
Which begs the question...why *does* the dino feel smoother?

=============================================

Just like certain medicines that may or may not work in your body but works in others, your vehicle responds better to this lubricant vs another that may work in most other vehicles.

In your situation, it's dino over synthetic right after an Auto-Rx. So stay with it for as long as things stay smooth.

 

[bar1]

Ok, so you are clening your engine, but that dino stuff is going to plug your turbo. Even if the turbo is water cooled (and oil cooled), oil temperature in that thing exceeds 150C when you shut down the engine. Soon you will have massive sludge in the turbo and turbo oil plumbing. If you want cheap(er) oil for your cleaning, use synthetic/dino blend.

 

[Gurkha]

I am yet to see any turbo clogged due to use of good quality HDEO dino, bad practices like revving and shutting off abruptly after long trips, keeping irregular OCI actually does more harm than dino oils, cheaper dinos may have a poorer effect but not HDEO.

 

[VTEC01EX]

I'd like to see what would happen if you ran Mobil1 10w30 in there. That said, my little Honda 4cyl also seems louder and more harsh on Mobil1 (I've used 0w20, 5w20, and 5w30) vs. any of the dino 5w20's or 5w30's I used before converting to syn.

 

[cousincletus]

I noticed that Amsoil 10w30 seemed about the same as dino as far as noise was concerned. I'm using Havoline 10w30 now and it makes the car run very quietly (2002 Chevy Cavalier OHV). In Virginia the climate is warm so I use 10w30 all year instead of the GM recommended 5w30.

 

[Dominik]

You are attributing this difference to oil and it ani't got anything to do with oil.
To get your engine to run rougher you would have to pour something horrible in your crankcase, it may run quieter or louder with certain oils but rougher.... most likely the cause is injector(s) or ignition

 

[johnd]

This is interesting anecdotal material but I have seen too many instances of "smoother" being a way too subjective comparison. I'm going to go to dino on my next oil change and I'm going to do some readings with a sound level meter Before and after to see if _it_ can tell a difference. Just trying to be scientific here.

 

[Meistersinger]

I know I have seen alot of people on these forums complain about noise after switching to M1. Maybe you should give that Pennzoil Platinum a try. Its not carried in bulk at Jiffy Lube, if your concerned.

 

[sprite1741]

quote:

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Originally posted by norwegian oil:
Ok, so you are clening your engine, but that dino stuff is going to plug your turbo. Even if the turbo is water cooled (and oil cooled), oil temperature in that thing exceeds 150C when you shut down the engine. Soon you will have massive sludge in the turbo and turbo oil plumbing. If you want cheap(er) oil for your cleaning, use synthetic/dino blend.

---

I have a 1986 2.2 turbo that's been on dino 10w30 for 20 years. I must be doing something wrong because my turbo is not plugged yet, and I still drive it everyday.

 

[bar1]

quote:

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Originally posted by sprite1741:
I have a 1986 2.2 turbo that's been on dino 10w30 for 20 years. I must be doing something wrong because my turbo is not plugged yet, and I still drive it everyday.

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You must be a lucky guy. I've had two 2.2 turbo, a 1992 S2 and later a 1996 S6. I treated them nice and gave them mobil1 or simlar synthetic oil. I still have the S6 and a 1.8T VW Passat. No sludge whatsoever

 

[Ugly3]

quote:

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Originally posted by johnd:
This is interesting anecdotal material but I have seen too many instances of "smoother" being a way too subjective comparison. I'm going to go to dino on my next oil change and I'm going to do some readings with a sound level meter Before and after to see if _it_ can tell a difference. Just trying to be scientific here.

---

No, no, no, we can't have any real data we need more "it seems to me" and butt dyno readings!

 

[Doc Holiday]

I used dino 5w30 in my then new VW Bug with a 1.8T and no problems at 36,000 miles. The dealer insisted on putting CS5w30 dino in it...so I did....the turbo did circulate the oil after shut down.....you could hear it after the engine was off....if it was hot, it would run for a while.

 

[AndyH]

quote:

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Originally posted by Doc Holiday:
the turbo did circulate the oil after shut down.....you could hear it after the engine was off....if it was hot, it would run for a while.

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I don't think that was the oil circulating after shut-down, it was likely the coolant.